The UFC has scheduled Brazilian fighter Wellington Turman to face rising prospect Islam Dulatov on July 25, 2026, at UFC Fight Night 282 in Abu Dhabi. The matchup marks Turman’s return after an extended layoff of over two years from competition, making this booking a significant career moment. The bout was highlighted in a Yahoo Sports video feature focusing on Dulatov’s unique background and the stakes of his comeback fight. For Turman, the announcement confirms his active status on the roster and sets up a high‑profile opportunity on an international card.
Wellington Turman is set to make his long-awaited return to the octagon when he faces Islam Dulatov at UFC Fight Night 282 in Abu Dhabi on July 25, 2026, ending an absence from competition that has stretched beyond two years.
Turman, known as "The Prodigy," carries an 18-8 record into the middleweight booking. The 29-year-old Brazilian trains out of Teixeira MMA and Fitness and brings a well-rounded skill set to the matchup. Standing six feet tall with a 72-inch reach, he fights out of an orthodox stance and has demonstrated consistent output throughout his career, averaging 3.23 significant strikes per minute at a 51 percent accuracy rate, while also posing a threat on the ground with 1.55 takedowns per 15 minutes and 0.8 submission attempts in the same span.
Dulatov is described in the Yahoo Sports feature that spotlighted this booking as a rising prospect with a notable background, and the report frames the fight as carrying genuine stakes for both men.
Why it matters
- Turman's two-plus-year layoff makes this a defining test of where he stands in the middleweight division upon his return.
- A win over a touted prospect on an international card would significantly strengthen his position in a competitive 185-pound landscape.
- The contrasting profiles — experienced veteran returning from a long absence versus an ascending prospect — create a clear stylistic and narrative tension heading into July.
