Abubakar Nurmagomedov has withdrawn from his scheduled bout with David Martinez at PFL Dubai, which is set to take place in a week. The reason for the withdrawal has not been disclosed. Nurmagomedov last competed in 2023.
Abubakar Nurmagomedov has pulled out of his scheduled fight with David Martinez at PFL Dubai, with the event now just a week away. No reason for the withdrawal has been disclosed.
The 36-year-old Russian, who trains with Fightspirit Team, brings a 17-4-1 record into what was to be his return. He has not competed since 2023, and his most recent recorded fight was a split-decision loss to Elizeu Zaleski dos Santos at UFC Fight Night: Kara-France vs. Albazi on June 3, 2023. Before that he won back-to-back unanimous decisions over Gadzhi Omargadzhiev at UFC 280 and Jared Gooden at UFC 260. An orthodox fighter at five-foot-eleven with a 72-inch reach, Nurmagomedov lands 2.78 significant strikes per minute at 53 percent accuracy and averages 1.25 takedowns per 15 minutes.
Martinez, a 28-year-old Mexican fighter known as "Black Spartan," is 15-1-0 and ranked eighth at bantamweight. He trains at Bonebreakers MMA and has won his three most recent recorded fights, all by unanimous decision: Rob Font in September 2025, Marlon Vera in February 2026 and Dan Ige at Noche UFC on September 12, 2026. The Ige fight took place less than two months before the scheduled PFL Dubai date. Martinez lands 4.5 significant strikes per minute at 44 percent accuracy and averages 0.7 takedowns per 15 minutes.
Why it matters
- Martinez loses his opponent a week out from the event, and it is unclear whether a replacement will be found.
- Nurmagomedov's return after a layoff of more than three years is delayed again.
- The matchup would have pitted a taller, longer fighter against one with the higher striking output: Nurmagomedov holds a four-inch height edge and a 72-inch to 67-inch reach advantage, while Martinez throws 1.72 more significant strikes per minute.
The age gap was also notable. Nurmagomedov is eight years older than Martinez, who has stayed active while his would-be opponent remained on the sidelines since the loss to dos Santos.
Neither fighter has been quoted on the change, and no information has emerged on whether the bout could be rescheduled.
