Key Welterweight Bout Canceled
The highly anticipated welterweight fight between Islam Dulatov and Wellington Turman, scheduled for today’s UFC Abu Dhabi card, has been canceled. The cancellation was announced just before the event was set to begin, with Dulatov withdrawing due to illness.
According to a statement released by Dulatov’s team on social media, he was admitted to the hospital last night due to an infection. He received medical treatment for several hours. The decision to withdraw him from the bout was made in conjunction with the UFC, prioritizing his health and well-being. His team indicated that Dulatov will address the situation personally once he has recovered.
This withdrawal is particularly disappointing for fans who were looking forward to seeing Dulatov compete. His team expressed regret for the cancellation, assuring supporters that he will use this time to fully recover and return stronger.
Dulatov’s Rising Career and Previous Hiatus
At 27 years old, Islam Dulatov is considered a rising star in the welterweight division. He secured a UFC contract in 2024 after a victory on Dana White’s Contender Series. His UFC debut in 2025 saw him defeat Adam Fugitt by knockout, extending his winning streak to a dozen and maintaining a 100 percent finishing rate.
Dulatov had previously taken time away from the Octagon, citing personal reasons related to his family and religious observances, specifically Ramadan. He emphasized that these were important aspects of his life that required his attention. Ahead of the scheduled fight with Wellington Turman, Dulatov had expressed that everything was now resolved, and he was eager to return to active competition.
During his debut fight against Adam Fugitt, Dulatov had predicted a first-round finish and delivered, ending the fight with a straight right hand. He aims to entertain fans with his aggressive fighting style, focusing on securing finishes and knockouts.
Impact on Wellington Turman and Future Plans
The cancellation is also a significant setback for Wellington Turman, who was set to make his return to the UFC after nearly three years. Turman, who will turn 30 years old on Wednesday, had reached the UFC at age 22. He competed in the middleweight division, where he had a record of 3-3 over six appearances after an initial split decision loss to Karl Roberson.
Turman later moved to the welterweight division, where he experienced a pair of losses, leading to his extended hiatus. Dulatov had acknowledged Turman’s experience, noting that he had nine fights in the UFC, eight more than Dulatov himself. Despite this, Dulatov was confident in his own skills, particularly his grappling, which he believed was underestimated.
It remains uncertain whether the UFC will reschedule the 170-pound bout between Dulatov and Turman or if both fighters will move on to new opponents. Dulatov had previously stated his desire to remain active, planning for a short vacation after the Abu Dhabi fight before starting his next training camp to fight again before the end of the year.
The UFC Fight Night: Ankalaev vs. Guskov event is still proceeding at the Etihad Arena in Abu Dhabi. The main card, which was scheduled to begin at 12pm ET/9am PT, will continue with the remaining bouts. The preliminary card started at 9am ET/6am PT on July 25, 2026.
Source: sports.yahoo.com