Nurullo Aliev and Mike Davis are set to clash at UFC Abu Dhabi on July 25. The matchup adds another contest to the card scheduled for that date.
The UFC's July 25 card in Abu Dhabi has a new addition, with undefeated Tajikistani prospect Nurullo Aliev set to face American veteran Mike Davis in a lightweight matchup.
Aliev, nicknamed the Tajik Eagle, enters the bout with a perfect 11-0 record at just 25 years old. The orthodox striker stands five-foot-ten with a 72-inch reach and has shown a well-rounded game inside the octagon. He lands 2.72 significant strikes per minute at 44 percent accuracy and supplements his striking with a solid wrestling attack, averaging 2.12 takedowns per 15 minutes. His unblemished record makes him one of the more intriguing undefeated prospects on the UFC roster.
Davis, known as Beast Boy, brings considerably more experience at the professional level. The 33-year-old stands six feet tall with a matching 72-inch reach and carries an 11-3 record into the contest. His striking numbers are notably high, with Davis landing 4.68 significant strikes per minute at an impressive 52 percent accuracy. He also contributes on the grappling end, averaging 2.48 takedowns per 15 minutes along with 0.5 submission attempts in the same span, making him a genuine threat in multiple phases of a fight.
Why it matters
- Aliev's perfect record is on the line against a seasoned opponent who has faced and beaten established competition
- Davis's superior striking volume and accuracy present a significant test for the younger fighter's defensive skills
- Both men are active wrestlers, meaning the grappling exchanges could prove decisive in determining the outcome
- A win for either fighter carries meaningful implications for lightweight divisional positioning heading into the second half of 2026
