UFC Abu Dhabi is less than 24 hours away …
It all goes down this weekend (Sat., July 25, 2026) inside Etihad Arena in Abu Dhabi, United Arab Emirates. In the main event, former Ultimate Fighting Championship (UFC) Light Heavyweight champion Magomed Ankalaev returns to action against up-and-comer Bogdan Guskov.
We have a weekly series at MMAmania.com called “Weekend Lock,” where we share one bet that we predict will slap in the desert when the chaotic dust settles. We also want to hear what our readers
think (that’s you!), so please tell us your most confident UFC Abu Dhabi betting lock in the comments section below (see full UFC Abu Dhabi odds here).
Last week’s recap: We have now cashed four weeks in a row, as Tommy McMillen vs. Alberto Montes ended inside the distance (watch highlights).
Let’s keep rolling below:
In the “Featured Fight” of UFC Abu Dhabi, Islam Dulatov takes on veteran Wellington Turman in what feels like a showcase fight for one of the UFC’s fastest-rising prospects.
This week, I’m locking in Dulatov to win by KO/TKO (-200).
Here’s Why:
Let’s call this fight what it is … a squash match.
Dulatov is the biggest favorite (-1000) on the card for a reason. The UFC clearly views him as a legitimate contender in the making, and stylistically, this matchup sets up perfectly for him to make another statement.
The 27-year-old is making his second appearance after sparking Adam Fugitt in his UFC debut (watch highlights).
Dulatov owns a 100 percent finish rate, with seven knockouts and five submissions. Every single one of his professional victories has ended before the judges were needed. He’s explosive, powerful, and one of those rare prospects who looks capable of ending a fight from virtually anywhere.
Dulatov is winning this fight, but the real question is how.
Does he knock Turman out? Or does he strangle him?
I’m banking on a knockout.
Turman enters the fight under difficult circumstances. The Brazilian is returning from a three-year layoff and has dropped three consecutive fights. That’s already a tough hill to climb against anyone, let alone one of the promotion’s most dangerous young finishers.
Durability is also becoming a concern.
Turman has been knocked out twice in the UFC, including by Andrew Sanchez, a fighter who was never known as a devastating knockout artist. If Sanchez could find Turman’s chin, it’s hard to ignore what someone with Dulatov’s level of power might do.
Expect Dulatov to pressure immediately, cut off the cage, and force exchanges. He won’t waste time trying to bank rounds. That’s simply not how he fights.
What could go wrong?
The obvious concern is that Dulatov decides to showcase his grappling instead. With five submission victories already on his resume, he has more than enough ability to drag Turman to the mat and end things there. If Turman survives the early striking exchanges, a submission becomes increasingly possible.
Still, Dulatov’s power, Turman’s recent skid, and the stylistic matchup all point in the same direction. Dulatov by knockout (-210) looks like one of the safest prop bets on the UFC Abu Dhabi card.
Islam Dulatov via KO/TKO/DQ: -200
Islam Dulatov via submission: +330
Islam Dulatov via decision: +650
Wellington Turman via KO/TKO/DQ: +1400
Wellington Turman via submission: +2500
Wellington Turman via decision: +1800
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