The world-famous Etihad Arena in Abu Dhabi, United Arab Emirates, played host to a massive night of mixed martial arts action as the Ultimate Fighting Championship delivered another blockbuster pay-per-view spectacle. Combat sports fans around the globe tuned in to watch an action-packed lineup featuring world championship implications, high-stakes divisional clashes, and thrilling finishes from the opening bell of the early preliminary card all the way to the championship main event.
In Saturday’s highly anticipated main event, legendary featherweight kingpin Alexander Volkanovski stepped back into the Octagon to put his title on the line. Facing down the division’s elite, Volkanovski squared off against the formidable, undefeated contender Movsar Evloev. The matchup carried immense significance for the 145-pound weight class, as the champion sought to turn back the clock and defy the pressures that face veteran fighters at the championship level, while Evloev aimed to extend his flawless professional record and capture the undisputed UFC featherweight championship of the world.
The co-main event provided an equally compelling chapter in one of the most competitive rivalries in the bantamweight division. Former champion Petr Yan and elite contender Merab Dvalishvili locked horns for the third time in their careers. With each competitor holding a victory over the other in their previous encounters, this trilogy bout served as the ultimate rubber match to settle the score and establish clear supremacy in the upper echelon of the bantamweight ranks.
The main card, broadcast live on Paramount+, delivered high-stakes entertainment from top to bottom. Aside from the championship clashes, the main card featured an exciting mix of rising talent and established contenders. Lone’er Kavanagh took on Ramazan Temirov in a dynamic matchup designed to test the depth of the talent pool. In the heavyweight division, seasoned veteran Alexander Volkov squared off against Rizvan Kuniev in a battle of heavy hitters looking to make a statement in the weight class. Rounding out the main card was an explosive clash between Aaron Pico and Losene Keita, two dynamic athletes known for their finishing ability and aggressive fighting styles.
Prior to the main card action, the preliminary card, also airing live on Paramount+, set a high standard for the evening with pivotal bouts across multiple divisions. In the light heavyweight division, perennial powerhouse Azamat Murzakanov met veteran contender Dominick Reyes in a fight with immediate implications for the rankings. The preliminary lineup also featured Nikita Krylov locking horns with Abdul Rakhman Yakhyaev, Abus Magomedov facing off against Cam Rowston, and Grant Dawson taking on Nurullo Aliev in a compelling lightweight showcase.
The evening’s festivities commenced with the early preliminary card on Paramount+, which offered fans an extensive morning of fights featuring international prospects and veterans battling to secure their place within the organization.
In the early preliminary action, Colby Thicknesse faced Asaf Chopurov in an intense bantamweight battle that tested the grappling and striking credentials of both men. Following that encounter, Abubakar Vagaev stepped into the Octagon to meet Jacob Malkoun in a tactical middleweight contest.
The early prelims also featured the first official decisions and finishes of the afternoon. Daniel Santos put on a stellar performance to secure a victory over Bolaji Oki, earning a hard-fought unanimous decision from the judges with identical scores of 29-28 across all three scorecards. Kody Steele provided one of the most explosive highlights of the early portion of the event, stopping Noah Gugnon via knockout at the 3:54 mark of the very first round. Closing out the early preliminary card, Iasmin Lucindo delivered a dominant technical performance against Nicolle Caliari, sweeping the judges’ scorecards to secure a clean-cut unanimous decision victory with scores of 30-27 from all three judges.
As the action transitioned from the preliminary battles to the high-profile matchups on the main card, the energy inside the Etihad Arena continued to build, cementing another memorable night of martial arts history in Abu Dhabi.
