UFC Abu Dhabi loses fight hours before event

A welterweight bout between Islam Dulatov and Wellington Turman has been cancelled from UFC Abu Dhabi's Fight Night card just hours before the event was scheduled to begin on Saturday. The UFC announced the cancellation after Dulatov was hospitalised on Friday due to an infection that required medical treatment. In a statement posted to social media, Dulatov's team confirmed the fighter had spent several hours receiving care and that the decision to withdraw was made jointly with the promotion to prioritise his health and recovery.

Turman, preparing for his return to the cage after two and a half years away—sidelined by four shoulder surgeries—responded graciously on social media, wishing Dulatov a swift recovery and expressing hope for a quick reboking of their bout or an alternative matchup. The UFC has not yet announced whether a replacement fight will be elevated to the main card to fill the gap.

The Abu Dhabi card now features 12 bouts across its main and preliminary cards. The main card includes Magomed Ankalaev vs. Bogdan Guskov, Steve Erceg vs. Ramazan Temirov, Magomed Zaynukov vs. Damian Rzepecki, Rizvan Kuniev vs. Tyrell Fortune, and Abubakar Vagaev vs. Saygid Izagakhmaev. The preliminary lineup comprises Valter Walker vs. Thomas Petersen, Dustin Jacoby vs. , vs. , vs. , vs. , vs. , and vs. .