Mohammad Yahya, the first Emirati to compete in the UFC, is set to return to the Octagon to face Brazilian Kaue Fernandes on August 3 at the Etihad Arena in Abu Dhabi. Yahya made history last year by signing with the world's largest mixed martial arts organization and making his debut in the UAE capital in October at UFC 294. The 30-year-old is now poised to fight in front of his home fans in a lightweight showdown.
Yahya boasts an overall record of 12-4 and has considerable experience fighting in the region, especially with UAE Warriors. Twelve of his sixteen professional fights have been held in the UAE, and he can anticipate robust support from the local crowd. He aims to secure his first win in the UFC, which is arguably the organization’s most competitive division. Brazilian Fernandes, also making his second UFC appearance this August, holds an 8-2 record and is similarly seeking his first victory inside the Octagon.
The event will be headlined by a crucial bantamweight clash between American Cory Sandhagen and undefeated Russian Umar Nurmagomedov. Both fighters have previously competed in Abu Dhabi. Sandhagen, ranked No.2, has fought on Yas Island twice, earning bonuses on both occasions—first for defeating Marlon Moraes in 2020 and then for his battle with Petr Yan for the interim bantamweight title in 2021. Nurmagomedov (17-0), currently ranked No.10, made his UFC debut in Abu Dhabi, securing a performance of the night bonus by stopping Sergey Morozov. He has since won four more fights and is regarded as one of the rising stars in the 135lbs class.
