As soon as once more, the Etihad Area returns for an additional UFC occasion stuffed with organised violence.
Whereas the identical metropolis will nonetheless put together for a PPV in October, UAE followers can stay up for an thrilling battle evening.
Robert Whittaker headlines the cardboard alongside Reinier de Ridder in a high-stakes Middleweight matchup.
However, with the principle occasion being the entire focus, listed here are 5 different bouts you need to take note of earlier than the motion commences.
Petr Yan vs Marcus McGhee
Initially, Movsar Evloev vs Aaron Pico was set because the co-main occasion, however because of the cancellation of the battle, this Bantamweight battle has been promoted.
Yan final fought at UFC Macau, defeating Deiveson Figueiredo by unanimous choice, marking the start of his win streak.
The previous UFC Bantamweight Champion suffered a extreme downfall after dropping 4 out of 5 bouts at one stage, however the Russian’s redemption arc is asking for title competition.
With noticeable wins over Cory Sandhagen, Jose Aldo and Urijah Faber, there isn’t a doubt that ‘No Mercy’ can be inflicting issues in Abu Dhabi.
McGhee is presently on a six-fight successful streak whereas solely having 4 appearances within the UFC.
‘The Maniac has stopped 9 of his 10 conquered opponents, with eight ending by KO/TKO, as he hopes to develop into the primary man to complete Yan.
The #13 contender put himself in prime place after defeating Jonathan Martinez by unanimous choice at UFC 309.
With an important probability to spice up up the 135-pound rankings, the Detroit-born fighter can be desirous to succeed on his quest to UFC gold.
Sharaputdin Magomedov vs Marc-Andre Barriault
An intriguing Middleweight battle that sees an attention-grabbing prospect attempt to redeem himself in opposition to a Canadian fan favorite.
Magomedov misplaced his good MMA file after a unanimous choice defeat to Michael ‘Venom’ Web page at UFC Saudi Arabia.
Shara ‘Bullet’ is extraordinarily well-known for his unbelievable kickboxing, which is why he has earned 12 knockouts in 15 wins.
The Makhachkala-born fighter turned a ranked 185-pound competitor when he earned a terrific double spinning backfist KO in opposition to Armen Petrosyan at UFC 308.
Whereas the Russian is in an unfamiliar place, he hopes to bounce again with one other showstopping victory.
Barriault was on the verge of presumably being reduce from the organisation, till he knocked out Bruno Silva at UFC 315.
‘Powerbar’ not often goes the space in his bouts, successful 11 of his 17 profitable fights by KO/TKO.
The Quebec resident got here near the Middleweight rankings however misplaced by break up choice to #14 contender Chris Curtis at UFC 297.
After simply snapping his three-fight dropping streak, the Canadian can be a heavy underdog heading into this battle, a purpose why a win will really feel a lot sweeter on the Etihad Area.
Nikita Krylov vs Bogdan Guskov
A Gentle Heavyweight bout which is able to very doubtless not go the space, whether or not it’s by knockout or submission.
After two years away from the Octagon, Krylov returned to lose his three-fight win streak with a first-round knockout defeat to Dominick Reyes at UFC 314.
‘The Miner’ turned a promising contender after incomes victories over Alexander Gustafsson, Volkan Oezdemir and Ryan Spann.
The Ukraine-born combined martial artist has secured 12 KO/TKO victories and 16 submissions out of 30 MMA triumphs.
The #10 contender will hope to return to the win column and keep his place within the 205-pound rankings.
Guskov prolonged his win streak to 3 after submitting Billy Elekana within the second spherical at UFC 311.
Regardless of his defeat in his UFC debut, the Uzbekistan fighter has proven potential expertise within the Gentle Heavyweight division.
‘Czarevitch’ holds a 100% end charge in his profession with 14 knockouts and three submissions.
The #13 contender has a wonderful alternative to make his method into the highest 10, hoping to proceed his dominance.
Bryce Mitchell vs Stated Nurmagomedov
A battle for redemption on the Etihad Area because the consequence appears to be like fairly unpredictable.
Catastrophe struck in Mitchell’s final battle after a dominant second-round submission loss to Jean Silva at UFC 314.
Regardless of remaining as a contender within the Featherweight division, ‘Thug Nasty’ has challenged himself to a decrease weight class.
Though the Arkansas fighter has loads of choice wins within the UFC, 9 of his 17 victories in MMA have ended by submission.
If Mitchell is victorious at UFC Abu Dhabi, he might develop into a ranked fighter at 135 kilos.
Nurmagomedov got here near the Bantamweight rankings, however misplaced his probability after a choice defeat to Vinicius Oliveira at UFC Saudi Arabia.
The Russian has but to have an enormous identify in his resume, regardless of seven wins within the UFC.
The Dagestan combined martial artist is but to be stopped, holding six KO/TKO wins and 4 submissions.
Whereas not associated to Khabib or Umar, Nurmagomedov remains to be aiming to make an even bigger identify for himself and will obtain it on Saturday.
Muslim Salikhov vs Carlos Leal
An unknown Welterweight struggle which deserves a lot extra consideration between two skilled fighters.
Salikhov earned one of the spectacular knockouts of 2024, stopping Track Kenan with a wheel kick at UFC Macau.
For the reason that starting of his UFC profession in November 2017, the Russian has contested in opposition to veterans of the organisation.
The ‘King of Kung Fu’ has earned 14 KO/TKO victories from 21 profession wins as he’s nothing however spectacular on the toes.
One other win on his UFC file might guide him an opportunity on the Welterweight rankings, boosting his win streak to 3.
Leal claimed his first UFC win in his final bout, making simple work of Alex Morono at UFC 313.
‘The Lion’ made his presence identified in PFL, particularly after incomes knockouts in opposition to David Zawada and Dilano Taylor.
Half of the Brazilian’s triumphs have ended by KO/TKO as he likes to maintain his fights standing up.
After already taking out a veteran, Leal desires to do it once more in his mission to enter the Welterweight rankings.
