Islam Dulatov Out of UFC Abu Dhabi After Hospital Stay, Card Drops to 12

UFC Abu Dhabi is running a fighter short. Hours before Saturday's card at the Etihad Arena, welterweight prospect Islam Dulatov was pulled from his main-card meeting with Wellington Turman after being hospitalized overnight with an infection. His management confirmed the withdrawal on Instagram, and the event now proceeds with 12 fights instead of 13.

That's a real loss for the card. Dulatov carries a 12-1 record with eight knockouts, and he made an immediate impression in the UFC by scoring a first-round KO of Adam Fugitt after earning his contract on Dana White's Contender Series. The Chechnya-born, Turkey-representing 'Versace model-turned-fighter' had a Fight Night main-card slot — rare air for someone with just one Octagon appearance.

The Withdrawal

According to the statement from his team, Dulatov was admitted to hospital the night before the fight and spent several hours receiving treatment. Every attempt was made to keep the bout alive, but the fighter and the UFC agreed to pull him for health reasons. His camp said recovery is the only priority and that Dulatov will address fans personally once he's able.

Turman is the other casualty here. The Brazilian was making a comeback after roughly three years away and multiple surgeries, and he'd spoken openly about how much he wanted the return. Now he waits again, without an opponent, on a night he expected to fight.

What Remains on the Card

The card still has plenty to sell. The headliner is a light heavyweight test for Magomed Ankalaev (21-2-1), who returns for the first time since Alex Pereira stopped him with elbows in the opening round to take the belt he'd only held for seven months. Ankalaev, ranked No. 1 in the division, faces No. 9 Bogdan Guskov (18-3-1), a knockout-heavy finisher — 15 of his 18 wins have come by KO — coming off a third-round draw with Jan Blachowicz.

The undercard leans on prospects. Charging heavyweight Valter Walker (15-1) is on the bill, as is Magomed 'Chanko' Zaynukov, a training partner of welterweight champion Islam Makhachev. Makhachev himself isn't fighting here — he defends against Ian Machado Garry at UFC 330 next — but his gym's fingerprints are all over this event.

So the marquee matchups survive, but a genuine breakout story gets postponed. Dulatov's team says he'll come back stronger and deliver another statement performance. For now, the only statement that matters is a clean bill of health.