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UFC Fight Night 282 has a main event between two top light heavyweight contenders.
Former champion Magomed Ankalaev returns for the first time since he lost the title, as he battles Khalil Rountree in a five-round main event. The bout takes place at Etihad Arena on Yas Island, Abu Dhabi.
The promotion announced the news Monday. Vestnik MMA was first to report the bout.
Ankalaev (21-2-1 MMA, 12-2 UFC) has not competed since Alex Pereira finished him in 80 seconds at UFC 320 in October. The victory avenged Pereira's previous loss to Ankalaev and re-earned him the the title. Anakalaev's only loss prior to that was a last-second submission secured by Paul Craig in March 2018. Ankalaev also holds wins over Aleksandar Rakic, Johnny Walker, and Anthony Smith among others.
Rountree (10-7 MMA, 10-7 UFC) has gone 1-1 since a highly-spirited title loss to Pereira at UFC 307 in October 2024. In June, he defeated Jamahal Hill by unanimous decision. In October, he was finished by Jiri Prochazka in a Fight of the Night bonus-earning battle.
This article originally appeared on MMA Junkie: Former UFC champ returns in Abu Dhabi main event
Continue reading...
Former champion Magomed Ankalaev returns for the first time since he lost the title, as he battles Khalil Rountree in a five-round main event. The bout takes place at Etihad Arena on Yas Island, Abu Dhabi.
The promotion announced the news Monday. Vestnik MMA was first to report the bout.
Your #UFCAbuDhabi main and co-main event are official
Tickets on sale WEDNESDAY ️ Register your interesthttps://t.co/n8Lk8a1KFK@VisitAbuDhabi | #InAbuDhabi | #VisitAbuDhabipic.twitter.com/EP6FAzF3Bc
— UFC Europe (@UFCEurope) June 1, 2026
Ankalaev (21-2-1 MMA, 12-2 UFC) has not competed since Alex Pereira finished him in 80 seconds at UFC 320 in October. The victory avenged Pereira's previous loss to Ankalaev and re-earned him the the title. Anakalaev's only loss prior to that was a last-second submission secured by Paul Craig in March 2018. Ankalaev also holds wins over Aleksandar Rakic, Johnny Walker, and Anthony Smith among others.
Rountree (10-7 MMA, 10-7 UFC) has gone 1-1 since a highly-spirited title loss to Pereira at UFC 307 in October 2024. In June, he defeated Jamahal Hill by unanimous decision. In October, he was finished by Jiri Prochazka in a Fight of the Night bonus-earning battle.
The UFC Abu Dhabi lineup includes:
- Magomed Ankalaev vs. Khalil Rountree
- David Martinez vs. Umar Nurmagomedov
- Thomas Petersen vs. Valter Walker
- Tyrell Fortune vs. Rizvan Kuniev
- Ismael Bonfim vs. Axel Sola
- Magomed Tuchalov vs. Brendson Ribeiro
- Gokhan Saricam vs. Louie Sutherland
- Steve Erceg vs. Ramazan Temirov
- Dustin Jacoby vs. Uran Satybaldiev
- Islam Dulatov vs. Wellington Turman
This article originally appeared on MMA Junkie: Former UFC champ returns in Abu Dhabi main event
Continue reading...
