The UFC added a pair of massive fights to Abu Dhabi this summer as former light heavyweight champion Magomed Ankalaev defends his title against knockout artist Khalil Rountree Jr. in the main event, while former bantamweight title challenger Umar Nurmagomedov takes on surging prospect David Martinez in the co-main event of UFC Abu Dhabi.
The UFC announced the bouts on social media on Monday.
Ankalaev (21-2-1) will step into the octagon for the first time since dropping his title against former champion Alex Pereira at UFC 320 last October. The #1 ranked 205er looks for a quick return to the title with a victory over Rountree Jr in Abu Dhabi.
Rountree Jr (14-7) fought at UFC 320 as well losing a wild fight against Jiri Prochazka. A former title challenger himself Rountree Jr looks for another shot at the belt with a win over the former champion in Ankalaev.
In the co-main event Nurmagomedov (20-1) looks to make it three victories in a row after suffering the first loss of his career against then champion Merab Dvalishvili in his sole UFC title opportunity last January. After dominant victories over Mario Bautista and Deiveson Figueiredo he’ll try to stop rising prospect Martinez as he tries to keep his footing in a stacked bantamweight division.
Martinez (14-1) surprised many after stacking three consecutive victories after earning a UFC contract at DWCS in 2024. Wins over Saimon Oliveira, Rob Font and Marlon Vera scored him a date with a former title challenger in Abu Dhabi.
UFC Abu Dhabi takes place on July 25 in Abu Dhabi, UAE, at the Etihad Arena. The card, as of now, is as follows:
- #1 Magomed Ankalaev vs. #5 Khalil Rountree Jr
- #2 Umar Nurmagomedov vs. #9 David Martinez
- #13 Valter Walker vs. Thomas Petersen
- Rizvan Kuriev vs. Tyrell Fortune
- Steve Erceg vs. Ramazan Temirov
- Ismael Bonfim vs. Axel Sosa
- Brendson Ribeiro vs. Magomed Tuchalov
- Magomedrasul Gasanov vs. Abubakar Vagaev
- Islam Dulatov vs. Wellington Turman