WBC Champ Carlos Adames Readies for Nontitle Showdown Nov. 14!

Brett Okamoto, a seasoned reporter covering mixed martial arts and boxing for ESPN since 2010, has been a central figure in combat sports journalism. He has extensively covered major events and interviewed prominent figures such as Dana White, Khabib Nurmagomedov, Conor McGregor, Nate Diaz, Floyd Mayweather, Manny Pacquiao, and Georges St-Pierre. Okamoto also served as a producer for the 30 for 30 film "Chuck and Tito," which chronicled the careers and rivalry of Chuck Liddell and Tito Ortiz. Residing in Las Vegas, he is also known as an avid, below-average golfer in his spare time.

In breaking news reported on October 30, 2026, WBC middleweight champion Carlos Adames is set to face Gerome Warburton in a nontitle catchweight bout. The fight, scheduled for November 14 in Saudi Arabia, will be a 10-round contest at a 165-pound catchweight. This highly anticipated matchup is slated to headline Zuffa Boxing 13, taking place at The Venue in Riyadh. Zuffa officials officially announced the pairing on Friday.

Carlos Adames, with a professional record of 25-1-1 and 18 knockouts, hails from the Dominican Republic and is widely regarded as the sport's top middleweight contender. He has proudly held the WBC's undisputed middleweight title since 2024, successfully defending his belt in three consecutive matchups against Terrell Gausha, Hamzah Sheeraz, and Austin Williams, solidifying his dominance in the division.

His opponent, Gerome Warburton from the United Kingdom, brings a record of 18-2-2 with 2 knockouts to the ring. Warburton enters this bout on an impressive three-fight winning streak, which includes back-to-back victories over Nathan Heaney in March and September, demonstrating his recent momentum and readiness for a high-profile challenge.