Adames Dodges Mandatory For Zuffa Debut

WBC middleweight champion Carlos Adames will make his Zuffa Boxing debut against unranked Gerome Warburton in a non-title bout on November 14th in Riyadh, according to Dan Rafael.

The matchup sidesteps Meiirim Nursultanov, who has been waiting nearly three years for his mandatory shot. Per Bad Left Hook, the WBC ordered Adames to face Nursultanov less than a month ago, calling it the Kazakh's "golden opportunity," then quickly approved the catchweight fight above 160 pounds instead.

Adames has not competed since drawing with Hamzah Sheeraz in March, making this a tune-up rather than a title defense. Warburton enters on back-to-back decision wins over Nathan Heaney but was stopped in four rounds by Kieron Conway two fights earlier. The Briton carries an 18-2-2 record with two knockouts and no current ranking.

The WBC's approval comes despite Adames spending a year inactive following the Sheeraz draw. Nursultanov remains in limbo as the champion opts for a stay-busy fight in Saudi Arabia.

The card takes place November 14th under the Zuffa Boxing banner in Riyadh.