{"id":708780,"date":"2026-06-01T18:41:11","date_gmt":"2026-06-01T18:41:11","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/au\/708780\/"},"modified":"2026-06-01T18:41:11","modified_gmt":"2026-06-01T18:41:11","slug":"ufc-fans-torch-matchmakers-for-booking-viral-ko-artist-in-ufc-abu-dhabi-mismatch","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/au\/708780\/","title":{"rendered":"UFC Fans Torch Matchmakers for Booking Viral KO Artist in UFC Abu Dhabi Mismatch"},"content":{"rendered":"

One of the UFC\u2019s more promising welterweight talents is set to meet a veteran on a three-fight losing skid at UFC Abu Dhabi. <\/p>\n

The UFC returned from a rare off week last Saturday with UFC Macau<\/a>, which saw Song Yadong score a stunning win over former UFC Flyweight Champion Deiveson Figueiredo when he secured a guillotine choke in the second round<\/a> of the card’s bantamweight main event. <\/p>\n

The world\u2019s leading MMA promotion heads home to Las Vegas and the Meta APEX this weekend for a UFC Fight Night even ahead of the highly-anticipated \u201cUFC Freedom 250\u201d card<\/a> at The White House, which kicks off what\u2019s shaping up to be a stacked summer slat<\/a>e of UFC events. <\/p>\n

Islam Dulatov Returns at UFC Abu Dhabi Following Violent Debut<\/p>\n

A return to Abu Dhabi and the Etihad Arena is scheduled for July 25, and the UFC recently announced that the card will see Islam Dulatov make his second UFC appearance <\/a>against Wellington Turman. <\/p>\n

\"Islam<\/p>\n

Islam Dulatov (blue gloves) walks on after defeating Adam Fugitt (red gloves) during UFC 318 at Smoothie King Center. | Stephen Lew-Imagn Images<\/p>\n

Currently on a 12-fight win streak that began after he came up short in his professional debut, Dulatov boasts a 100% win rate across 12 career victories with five submissions and seven knockouts. Following a buzzer-beater finish of John Palaiologos in his lone outing for Oktagon in 2024, Dulatov was booked to fight on Dana White\u2019s Contender Series and secured a UFC contract when he knocked out Vanilto Antunes with an elbow in the opening round.<\/p>\n

\"Adam<\/p>\n

Adam Fugitt (red gloves) fights against Islam Dulatov (blue gloves) during UFC 318 at Smoothie King Center. | Stephen Lew-Imagn Images<\/p>\n

Matched with Adam Fugitt for his promotional debut at UFC 318, Dulatov immediately established himself as a welterweight worth watching when he brutally floored Fugitt in the first round and earned a \u201cPerformance of the Night\u201d bonus for his efforts. <\/p>\n

UFC Fans React to Islam Dulatov vs. Wellington Turman Booking<\/p>\n

Only two years older than Dulatov, Turman was already a veteran of 17 professional MMA fights by the time he made his UFC debut in 2019 and dropped a split decision to Karl Roberson.<\/p>\n

\"Wellington<\/p>\n

Wellington Turman (red gloves) fights Jared Gooden (blue gloves) during UFC Fight Night at Moody Center. | Dustin Safranek-Imagn Images<\/p>\n

The Brazilian has had an up-and-down UFC run that saw him win back-to-back fights against Sam Alvey and Misha Cirkunov, but that led into what\u2019s now become a three-fight losing streak. Thurman hasn\u2019t competed since Jared Gooden submitted him in late 2023, and a number of fans seem to be unimpressed by the decision to match him up with Dulatov at UFC Abu Dhabi.<\/p>\n

\u201cUFC never matches up prospects with intriguing matchups until they\u2019ve slayed at least 6 cans\u201d – @MMA_Jester<\/p>\n

\u201cWTF lol no way Wellington Turman is still on the roster this guy was the lamb years ago\u201d -@richmond1724<\/p>\n

\u201cExcited to see Dulatov back but wtf is this matchmaking. Was there seriously no one better they could have given him?\u201d -@GamrotGlazer0<\/p>\n

\"Randy<\/p>\n

Randy Brown (red gloves) fights Wellington Turman (blue gloves) in a welterweight bout during UFC Fight Night at VyStar Veterans Memorial Arena. | David Yeazell-Imagn Images<\/p>\n

\u201cHow do you get an easier opponent when your first opponent was Fugitt\u2026.\u201d – @Gurusalem22<\/p>\n

“He’s getting the Gautier treatment, free money on Dulatov\u201d – @MMA_HET<\/p>\n

UFC Abu Dhabi is headlined by the return of former light heavyweight titleholder Magomed Ankalaev vs. former title challenger Khalil Rountree Jr.<\/a>, and the addition of Dulatov vs. Turman now gives the card nine scheduled bouts. <\/p>\n

UFC Abu Dhabi Fight Card<\/p>\n

Main Event: Magomed Ankalev vs. Khalil Rountree Jr.<\/p>\n

Co-Main Event: Umar Nurmagomedov vs. David Martinez<\/p>\n

Valter Walker vs. Thomas Petersen<\/p>\n

Rizvan Kuniev vs. Tyrell Fortune<\/p>\n

Steve Erceg vs. Ramazan Temirov<\/p>\n

Ismael Bonfim vs. Axel Sola<\/p>\n

Brendson Ribeiro vs. Magomed Tuchalov<\/p>\n

Magomedrasul Gasanov vs. Abubakar Vagaev<\/p>\n

Islam Dulatov vs. Wellington Turman<\/p>\n

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