Another numbered card in the books and unfortunately it didn’t live up to the billing.
Tom Aspinall vs. Ciryl Gane — No Contest (Round 1)
The highly anticipated heavyweight clash between Tom Aspinall and Ciryl Gane ended in dramatic and unexpected fashion, with the fight ruled a no contest due to an accidental eye poke.
From the outset, Aspinall came out aggressively, landing body kicks and attempting high-risk head kicks and knees, while Gane showcased his precision striking, landing jabs to the body and head that gradually opened a cut on Aspinall’s nose. Aspinall’s spinning heel kick and leg attacks found partial success, but Gane’s movement and counters kept him in control.
The contest came to an abrupt halt mid-round when an eye poke from Gane left Aspinall unable to continue. Medical officials quickly assessed the situation, and the fight was officially ruled a no contest. It was a shocking end to what had been a competitive opening round, leaving the heavyweight division in limbo and fans demanding a rematch.
Mackenzie Dern def. Virna Jandiroba — Unanimous Decision (48-47, 48-47, 49-46)
Mackenzie Dern claimed the UFC Strawweight Championship in a fiercely contested rematch against Virna Jandiroba. From the opening bell, the fight was a tactical blend of striking exchanges and grappling wizardry, with both black belts testing each other at every turn.
Dern landed precise punches and leg kicks early, while Jandiroba countered with takedowns and head-kick attempts. Throughout the middle rounds, Dern showcased her resilience, remaining active from the bottom and finding openings to land elbows and short strikes, even when caught in disadvantageous positions. Jandiroba had moments of control, notably with takedowns that forced Dern to scramble, but the American fighter consistently threatened submissions and kept her striking sharp.
In the final round, both fighters traded blows in a high-paced exchange, with Dern finding a late takedown to seal the fight. Her combination of relentless offensive output, positional awareness, and timely striking earned her the unanimous decision.
Umar Nurmagomedov def. Mario Bautista — Unanimous Decision (30-27 × 3)
Umar Nurmagomedov delivered a relentless performance, earning a clean three-round victory over Mario Bautista. From the opening bell, Nurmagomedov asserted his wrestling superiority, immediately taking Bautista down and working for dominant positions. Bautista threatened with a toe hold early, but Nurmagomedov’s composure and technical skill allowed him to escape and transition to side control, landing quick elbows from the top.
The second round saw Bautista push the pace, briefly rocking Nurmagomedov with a knee, but the Dagestani fighter quickly responded with counter strikes and another takedown. He maintained top control, threatened submissions, and scored effective strikes from half and side control, while Bautista scrambled desperately to survive.
In the final round, Bautista again attempted to press forward, but Nurmagomedov’s timing and precision — particularly with body shots and double-legs — kept the fight largely in his control. A fast-paced, scrappy contest with multiple exchanges on the feet and in grappling transitions showcased Umar’s relentless cardio, positional awareness, and ability to punish any mistake.
This was a statement win for Nurmagomedov, demonstrating both resilience and tactical intelligence following his previous title fight experience.
Alexander Volkov def. Jailton Almeida — Split Decision (29-28, 28-29, 29-28)
Alexander Volkov edged a gritty, pretty boring three-round battle against Jailton Almeida to earn a split-decision victory in Abu Dhabi.
The fight followed a familiar pattern early, with Almeida relentlessly hunting takedowns and Volkov determined to punish him for every failed attempt. Almeida’s early control time looked promising, but Volkov’s poise and striking discipline steadily swung the momentum. By the final round, the Russian had found his rhythm — peppering Almeida with jabs and body shots, then punishing him with elbows and knees inside the clinch.
Even when taken down, Volkov stayed active from his back, landing punches and threatening submissions to blunt Almeida’s offence. His ability to stay composed under constant grappling pressure ultimately told the story: Volkov did more damage, created more danger, and dictated the striking exchanges whenever the fight returned to the feet.
Azamat Murzakanov def. Aleksandar Rakić — TKO (Punches), Round 1, 3:11
(Photo by Chris Unger/Zuffa LLC)
Azamat Murzakanov extended his unbeaten record to 16-0 with a clinical first-round finish over Aleksandar Rakić. The bout began with Rakić attacking the body and legs, looking sharp as he dictated range early. Murzakanov stayed patient, absorbing a few heavy kicks while searching for his timing.
Rakić then initiated a clinch against the fence, but Murzakanov reversed the position during a brief scramble and began to find his rhythm on the counter. Moments later, he jabbed to the body and fired a compact right jab — a short, devastating shot that sat Rakić down instantly. The referee jumped in as Murzakanov closed distance to finish, sealing another emphatic statement victory.
It was trademark composure from the undefeated Russian, who once again proved that he needs only a split second to change a fight.
Preliminary Card Results & Analysis
Quillan Salkilld def. Nasrat Haqparast — KO (Head Kick), Round 1, 2:30
A stunning debut statement from Salkilld, who timed a flawless left high kick midway through the opening round to halt Haqparast instantly. The precision and composure under fire suggest a genuine new prospect at lightweight.
Ikram Aliskerov def. Jun Yong Park — Unanimous Decision (30-27 × 3)
Aliskerov dominated throughout, mixing sharp boxing combinations with strong top control. Park showed grit but was out-classed technically, as Aliskerov’s balance and distance management carried him to a clean sweep on the cards.
Ľudovít Klein def. Mateusz Rebecki — Majority Decision (29-28, 28-27, 28-28)
An incredibly tight contest. Klein’s crisp counter-striking and lateral movement earned him early rounds, while Rebecki rallied late with pressure and takedowns. The judges leaned towards Klein’s cleaner work, rewarding precision over volume.
Valter Walker def. Louie Sutherland — Submission (Heel Hook), Round 1, 1:24
A quick and brutal finish. Sutherland charged forward aggressively, only for Walker to snatch a heel hook during a scramble. The tap came almost immediately — a reminder that heavyweight jiu-jitsu threats are no longer a rarity.
Nathaniel Wood def. José Miguel Delgado — Unanimous Decision (29-28 × 3)
Wood delivered a measured, veteran performance. He controlled range with leg kicks and crisp boxing, weathered Delgado’s second-round surge, and closed strong with clean combinations. A well-earned win for the Londoner.
Hamdy Abdelwahab def. Chris Barnett — Unanimous Decision (29-26, 29-27, 29-27)
Olympian power met showman flair. Abdelwahab leaned on his Greco-Roman pedigree to neutralise Barnett’s explosive striking, dominating with top control and positional pressure. Not the wild brawl fans expected, but a disciplined win.
Mitch Raposo def. Azat Maksum — Unanimous Decision (30-26, 29-27, 29-27)
Raposo turned heads with a composed, all-round performance. He stuffed takedowns, countered cleanly, and dictated tempo across three rounds. Maksum never found rhythm against Raposo’s pace and variety.
Mizuki Inoue def. Jaqueline Amorim — Unanimous Decision (30-27, 30-27, 29-28)
Inoue made her long-awaited return count, blending sharp boxing with strong defensive grappling. Amorim had early moments in the clinch, but Inoue’s accuracy and timing proved decisive in a confident comeback victory.
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