Faces behind the bouts as countdown continues to UFC Fight Night Abu Dhabi

Ahead of next month’s UFC Fight Night in Abu Dhabi on July 25, organisers have revealed two marquee matchups featuring athletes whose stories extend far beyond rankings and records.

From coffee shops and music culture to reading and medicine, these are some of the personalities stepping into the Octagon at Etihad Arena.

The main event sees Magomed Ankalaev come up against Khalil Rountree Jr – two light heavyweights whose paths to the top could not have been more different.

For Magomed Ankalaev, life outside the Octagon moves at a calmer pace. Known for his composed performances and measured style, the former UFC light heavyweight champion has spoken about being involved in running a coffee shop in Dagestan. It offers a quieter contrast to life at the highest level of mixed martial arts and a glimpse into the routine behind one of the sport’s biggest names.

Rountree Jr’s story has been shaped by experiences far beyond combat sports. Before establishing himself among the UFC’s leading light heavyweights, Rountree found inspiration through underground music culture. As a teenager, he played guitar and spent time immersed in the live music scene, which became an important creative outlet and helped shape his perspective outside competition.

That curiosity later extended into travel and discovering new cultures, eventually leading him to spend time training Muay Thai kickboxing in Thailand, which became an important chapter in both his personal and professional development.

Also, taking to the octagon on the same night are Umar Nurmagomedov and David Martinez with the co-main event bringing together one of mixed martial arts’ most recognised fighting pedigrees and one of its most distinctive career stories.

For Nurmagomedov, discipline and training have always been part of daily life. Raised within one of the sport’s most recognised fighting environments, he has grown into one of the UFC bantamweight division’s leading contenders through his calm and measured approach inside the cage.

Away from the gym, one of Umar’s favourite ways to switch off is reading. He has previously shared his interest in books including The Sicilian by Mario Puzo and Atomic Habits, alongside making reading part of his routine during training camps and travel.

That quieter side offers a different perspective on one of the sport’s rising stars and reflects the composed style fans often see inside the cage.

Across the cage, Martinez brings one of the most distinctive stories on the card. Alongside his rise through mixed martial arts, Martinez has also built a career as an orthopaedic surgeon in Mexico, balancing life in medicine with life inside the Octagon.

His medical background later inspired his professional nickname, “Doctor”, and reflects an unusual combination of careers at the elite level. Looking ahead, Martinez has also spoken about the possibility of staying connected to the sport beyond competition, including one day working in a medical role around UFC events.