UFC Fight Night Abu Dhabi takes place on Saturday 25 July 2026.
The headline fight features Magomed Ankalaev versus Khalil Rountree Jr. Ankalaev.
The event will be held at Etihad Arena on Yas Island.
The Octagon heads back to Etihad Arena on Yas Island for another high-energy night of MMA action.
UFC is heading back to the UAE capital. The world’s leading mixed martial arts organisation, in partnership with the Department of Culture and Tourism Abu Dhabi, announced the return of UFC Fight Night Abu Dhabi on Saturday, 25 July 2026. The event will take place live at Etihad Arena on Yas Island, bringing another major sporting spectacle to one of the region’s most dynamic entertainment destinations.
The full fight card has now been announced with the headline fight featuring Magomed Ankalaev and Khalil Rountree Jr. Ankalaev. Magomed from Russia enters the fight as the top contender and is looking for a strong win, whereas Khalil from Las Vegas, comes in as the underdog but with big momentum after beating former champion Jamahal Hill.
In the co-main event, Umar Nurmagomedov and David Martinez will battle it out. The rest of the card includes Gokhan Saricam, Louie Sutherland, Steve Erceg, Ramazan Temirov, Rizvan Kuniev, Tyrell Fortune, Uran Satybaldiev, Dustin Jacoby, Valter Walker, Thomas Petersen, Ismael Bonfim, Axel Sola, Islam Dulatov and Wellington Turman.
However, Abu Dhabi has built a strong reputation for staging some of UFC’s most memorable events, from headline-grabbing matchups to electric arena atmospheres. With Etihad Arena once again providing the backdrop, fight fans can look forward to another action-packed night inside the Octagon.
The upcoming event continues UFC’s long-standing relationship with Abu Dhabi, which dates back to 2010. Over the years, the partnership has helped position the emirate as a major global destination for mixed martial arts. During the COVID-19 pandemic, Abu Dhabi famously hosted Fight Island, a landmark series of events that brought the sport to a global audience at a time when live sporting events were heavily restricted.
Since then, Abu Dhabi has remained a key destination on the UFC calendar. Last year, UFC Fight Night: Whittaker vs. De Ridder filled Etihad Arena with a thrilling middleweight clash, while UFC 321: Aspinall vs. Gane brought heavyweight contenders to the capital during Abu Dhabi Showdown Week.
How to get tickets?
Tickets for UFC Fight Night Abu Dhabi will open pre-sales for those registered on Tuesday, 2 June. General sales will begin on Wednesday, 3 June.
Through its collaboration with DCT Abu Dhabi, UFC continues to expand its global footprint, bringing major live events to new audiences while contributing to the emirate’s growing reputation for sport, entertainment and tourism. For Abu Dhabi, the return of UFC Fight Night adds another major date to a busy calendar of international events.
Where: Etihad Arena, Yas Street, Yas Island, Abu Dhabi
When: Saturday 25 July 2026
Contact: www.etihadarena.ae