UFC adds two new fights to Abu Dhabi card ahead of Ankalaev vs Rountree Jr
Tickets from Dh195 remain on sale for Yas Island event
ABU DHABI – UFC has announced two additional bouts for UFC Fight Night: Ankalaev vs Rountree Jr., further strengthening the line-up for the event scheduled on Saturday, July 25, at Etihad Arena on Yas Island in Abu Dhabi.
Organised in partnership with the Department of Culture and Tourism – Abu Dhabi, the event will now feature an unbeaten lightweight showdown and an exciting welterweight contest alongside the headline attraction.
Tickets, starting from Dh195, are available through Ticketmaster.ae.
New additions
Making his highly anticipated UFC debut, undefeated lightweight Magomed "Chanco" Zaynukov (8-0), who fights out of Makhachkala in Dagestan, Russia, will face fellow unbeaten contender Damian Rzepecki (10-0) of Poland. The contest pits two rising prospects against each other, with both fighters aiming to preserve their perfect professional records.
Zaynukov secured his place in the UFC after earning a unanimous decision victory on Dana White's Contender Series. A skilled Muay Thai specialist, he now takes on Rzepecki, who has claimed nine finishes in his 10 professional victories, making the bout one of the most intriguing additions to the card.
Main Card
The promotion has also confirmed a welterweight clash between Santiago Ponzinibbio (31-9) of Buenos Aires, Argentina, and Sam Patterson (13-2) of Watford, England. Ponzinibbio returns to Abu Dhabi for the first time since competing there in 2021 and will look to strengthen his résumé with another notable victory. Patterson, meanwhile, enters the contest with momentum after winning four of his last five UFC appearances.
The July 25 event will be headlined by former UFC light heavyweight champion and current No. 1-ranked contender Magomed Ankalaev (21-2-1) taking on No. 5-ranked Khalil Rountree Jr. (15-7, 1 NC). The light heavyweight showdown is expected to play a significant role in the division, with the winner moving a step closer to a UFC title opportunity.
UFC remains the world's leading mixed martial arts organisation, boasting more than 700 million fans and approximately 363 million social media followers. The promotion stages more than 40 live events each year and reaches an estimated one billion broadcast and digital households across 210 countries and territories, with athletes representing more than 75 nations.