Ankalaev set to face Rountree in Abu Dhabi

ABU DHABI: UFC Fight Night: Ankalaev vs Rountree Jr. will take place on July 25 at Etihad Arena in Abu Dhabi, bringing two marquee matchups featuring athletes whose stories extend far beyond rankings and records.

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.

Standing opposite him is Khalil Rountree Jr., whose 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 to 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.

The co-main event, Umar Nurmagomedov vs David Martinez, brings together one of mixed martial arts’ most recognized 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 recognized fighting environments, he has grown into one of the UFC bantamweight division’s leading contenders through his calm and measured approach inside the cage.

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