Abu Dhabi is preparing for another huge UFC Fight Night as the Octagon returns to Etihad Arena on Yas Island on July 25, 2026

Fight fans can expect another action-packed evening as some of the UFC’s biggest stars step into the cage, with a championship-calibre main event and a stacked undercard featuring rising contenders and fan favourites.

Main event confirmed

At the top of the bill, UFC light heavyweight champion Magomed Ankalaev will defend his place against dangerous knockout artist Khalil Rountree Jr. in what promises to be one of the biggest fights of the summer.

Another standout matchup sees Umar Nurmagomedov return to action against David Martinez in the bantamweight division.

As of 2026, Abu Dhabi has hosted 22 UFC events since 2010, cementing Yas Island as one of the sport’s biggest international destinations.

*It’s back: Yas Island’s Abu Dhabi Grand Prix package returns for 2026*

UFC Fight Night Abu Dhabi 2026 fight card

Light heavyweight

  • Magomed Ankalaev vs Khalil Rountree Jr.

Bantamweight

  • Umar Nurmagomedov vs David Martinez

Heavyweight

  • Rizvan Kuniev vs Tyrell Fortune

Heavyweight

  • Valter Walker vs Thomas Petersen

Light heavyweight

  • Magomed Tuchalov vs Brendson Ribeiro

Flyweight

  • Steve Erceg vs Ramazan Temirov

Welterweight

  • Islam Dulatov vs Wellington Turman

Lightweight

  • Ismael Bonfim vs Axel Sola

Light heavyweight

  • Uran Satybaldiev vs Dustin Jacoby

Tickets

Tickets are on sale now from Dhs295 via Ticketmaster UAE.

There is no minimum age requirement to attend. However, children under 16 must be accompanied by an adult aged 21 or over. Children under two can attend without a ticket if they are sitting on an adult’s lap.

Abu Dhabi’s home of UFC

Over the past few years, Abu Dhabi has become one of the UFC’s most iconic destinations. During the COVID-19 pandemic, Fight Island turned Yas Island into the centre of the MMA world, welcoming fighters, coaches and officials while much of global sport was on hold.

Since then, UFC events in the capital have continued to attract packed crowds to Etihad Arena. Last year’s Fight Night headlined by Robert Whittaker and Reinier de Ridder delivered one of Abu Dhabi’s loudest sporting atmospheres, while UFC 321 followed during Abu Dhabi Showdown Week with Tom Aspinall and Ciryl Gane topping the card.

 

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This July’s event adds another major date to Abu Dhabi’s ever-growing sporting calendar, alongside Formula 1, the NBA, world-class golf and other international combat sports events.

Where: Etihad Arena, Yas Island, Abu Dhabi
When: Saturday, July 25, 2026
Tickets: From Dhs295, available now via Ticketmaster UAE