The Department of Culture and Tourism – Abu Dhabi, in collaboration with UFC, the world's leading mixed martial arts organization, announced the return of "UFC Fight Night" to the capital with a series of intense matchups.

The event will take place on Saturday, July 25, 2026, at Etihad Arena on Yas Island, headlined by the highly anticipated light heavyweight bout between former champion and top contender Magomed Ankalaev and Khalil Rountree Jr., ranked fifth.

Tickets for "UFC Fight Night: Ankalaev vs. Rountree Jr." will go on sale on Wednesday, June 3, at 12:00 PM UAE time via Ticketmaster.ae. Early purchase opportunities will be available from Tuesday, June 2, at 11:00 AM UAE time for fans who registered their interest in advance.

Magomed Ankalaev (21 wins, 2 losses, 1 draw, from Makhachkala, Dagestan, Russia) returns to the ring for the first time since losing the light heavyweight title to Alex Pereira at UFC 320 last October, ending a seven-year unbeaten run.

The 33-year-old star captured the title earlier with a win over Pereira at UFC 313, during a successful career that saw victories over Anthony Smith, Johnny Walker, and Aleksandar Rakic. Ankalaev is currently leading the title challengers' list and aims for a decisive victory to earn another title shot.

In contrast, Khalil Rountree Jr. (15 wins, 7 losses, 1 no contest, from Las Vegas, Nevada) enters this bout as the underdog, looking to upset Ankalaev's plans. The 36-year-old former title contender made headlines last June after defeating former light heavyweight champion Jamal Hill by unanimous decision in Baku, marking his second consecutive main event fight. A victory in Abu Dhabi would put him back in the title contention spotlight.

In the co-main event in the bantamweight division, second-ranked Umar Nurmagomedov (20 wins, 1 loss, from Kizilyurt, Dagestan, Russia) faces ninth-ranked David Martinez (14 wins, 1 loss, from Mexico City, Mexico) in a bout that could reshape the competition in this weight class.

Nurmagomedov returned to winning form after losing the title to Merab Dvalishvili, securing two consecutive unanimous decision victories over Mario Bautista in October 2025 and Deiveson Figueiredo at UFC 324 this past January.

Meanwhile, Martinez has recorded three consecutive UFC victories, demonstrating his ability to swiftly conclude fights and outmatch experienced opponents in three-round bouts.

Highlight Fights in Abu Dhabi

• In the heavyweight division, Gokhan Saricam (12 wins, 2 losses, from Istanbul, Turkey) faces Louie Sutherland (11 wins, 5 losses, from London, England), with both having secured their first UFC victories.

• In the light heavyweight class, Magomed Tuchaelov (6 victories without losses, from Dubai, UAE, originally from Makhachkala, Dagestan, Russia) takes on Brendson Ribeiro (17 wins, 10 losses, 1 no contest, from Curitiba, Brazil) in his first UFC fight.

• In the flyweight division, Steve Erceg, ranked tenth (14 wins, 4 losses, from Perth, Western Australia), matches up against Ramzan Temirov (19 wins, 3 losses, from Qarshi, Uzbekistan).

• In the heavyweight division, Rizvan Kuniev, ranked eighth (14 wins, 3 losses, 1 draw, from Makhachkala, Russia) takes on Tyrell Fortune, ranked tenth (18 wins, 3 losses, from Tempe, Arizona).

• In the light heavyweight division, Uran Satibaldiyev (10 wins, 1 loss, from Osh, Kyrgyzstan) faces the veteran Dustin Jacoby (22 wins, 9 losses, 1 draw, from Denver, Colorado).

• In the heavyweight division, Walter Walker, ranked thirteenth (15 wins, 1 loss, from Rio de Janeiro, Brazil) competes against Thomas Petersen (11 wins, 4 losses, from Webster, Minnesota).

• In the lightweight division, Ismael Bonfim (20 wins, 6 losses, from Brasilia, Brazil) faces Axel Sola (11 wins, 1 loss, 1 draw, from Nice, France).

• In the welterweight division, Islam Dulatov (12 wins, 1 loss, from Dusseldorf, Germany) fights Wellington Turman (18 wins, 8 losses, from Danbury, Connecticut).