Wellington Turman has spoken out about the last-minute cancellation of his welterweight bout against Islam Dulatov at UFC Abu Dhabi, calling it 'heartbreaking' after Dulatov was hospitalised the night before the event. Turman said he was preparing to leave for the arena when his manager informed him the fight was off, and he believes the situation was avoidable. According to information Turman received from Dulatov's team, the opponent had been taking shakes provided by a bodybuilding coach with no MMA background, which Turman says made Dulatov ill. Turman confirmed he received his show money and wished Dulatov a speedy recovery.
Wellington Turman has publicly criticised Islam Dulatov's preparation after their scheduled welterweight bout at UFC Abu Dhabi was scrapped at the last minute when Dulatov was hospitalised the night before the event.
Turman, who fights out of Teixeira MMA and Fitness, described the cancellation as "heartbreaking," saying he learned the fight was off from his manager just as he was getting ready to leave for the arena. The 30-year-old Brazilian holds an 18-8 record and brings a well-rounded game to the welterweight division, landing 3.23 significant strikes per minute at 51 percent accuracy while also averaging 1.55 takedowns per 15 minutes. Turman said he received his show money and wished Dulatov a swift recovery, but made clear he believes the situation should never have reached this point.
According to Turman, information passed along from Dulatov's team indicated that the German fighter had been consuming shakes prepared by a bodybuilding coach with no MMA background, which Turman says caused the illness that put his opponent in hospital. He called the episode a matter of "lack of professionalism" on Dulatov's side.
Dulatov, 27, nicknamed "The Ripper," had entered the bout carrying a 12-1 record and a reputation as one of the more dangerous strikers in the division, averaging a remarkable 8.78 significant strikes per minute at 54 percent accuracy for the career. Fighting out of Triple One Gym in Germany, the six-foot-three fighter had looked like a rising welterweight threat before the medical issue derailed his Abu Dhabi appearance.
Why it matters
- A late cancellation denies Turman a high-profile opportunity to climb the welterweight rankings.
- Dulatov's 12-1 record and elite striking output made this a significant matchup; its collapse leaves questions about when, or whether, it will be rescheduled.
- Turman's public comments raise broader questions about nutritional oversight within fighter camps, particularly the involvement of coaches without combat sports experience.
