The scheduled light heavyweight matchup between Dustin Jacoby and Lucas Fernando has been called off. Fernando will remain on the UFC roster while Jacoby stays on the UFC Abu Dhabi card, with a replacement opponent still to be determined.
A planned light heavyweight contest between Dustin Jacoby and Lucas Fernando has fallen apart ahead of UFC Abu Dhabi, leaving Jacoby without an opponent and the event's card in need of a replacement booking.
Jacoby, nicknamed "The Hanyak," enters this stretch of his career with a record of 22-9-1. The 38-year-old American, who trains out of Factory X, stands six-foot-three with a 76-inch reach and fights out of an orthodox stance. He is one of the more active strikers in the light heavyweight division, averaging 5.4 significant strikes landed per minute at 48 percent accuracy. His grappling output is minimal, with just 0.32 takedowns per 15 minutes and no recorded submission attempts, making him a committed stand-and-bang fighter.
Fernando, the 29-year-old Brazilian prospect out of Rizzo RVT, carries a 9-2-0 record and presents a contrasting profile. He stands the same height at 191 centimeters but owns a considerably longer reach of 203 centimeters. Fernando averages three takedowns per 15 minutes and posts a striking accuracy of 51 percent, suggesting a more well-rounded game built around wrestling and control.
Despite the cancellation, both fighters remain active within the UFC. Fernando stays on the roster and will look for a rescheduled date, while Jacoby holds his spot on the Abu Dhabi card pending the identification of a new opponent.
Why it matters
- Jacoby's place on UFC Abu Dhabi remains secure, but the promotion must move quickly to slot in a credible light heavyweight replacement.
- The scrapped bout removes what would have been a compelling striker-versus-wrestler stylistic clash.
- Fernando, at 29 and with strong grappling numbers, will be an attractive rescheduling option for other contenders in the division.
