The return event from the UFC to Abu Dhabi has taken a huge hit because the planned CO-Main event has been canceled.
On July 26, the Premier promotion will return to Abu Dhabi for an incredible fighting evening event, excluding a middleweight collision between Robert Whittaker and Reinier de Ridder.
It was also confirmed by UFC boss Dana White that the Co-Main event would be a five round featherweight fight between the unbeaten Movsar Evloev and promotional newcomer, Aaron Pico.
White later confirmed that if Evloev Pico could beat, he would protect himself a fight for the featherweight title, with Alexander Volkanovski who is currently ruling over the division.
Photo by Steve Marcus/Getty Images
Evloev from UFC Abu Dhabi fight due to injury
Unfortunately, however, only a few weeks out of what an incredible matchup was, it was reported by Red Corner MMA, which the Russian was pulled out of the fight due to injury.
According to their sources, Evloev had to withdraw due to an injury or health state that he sustained during his Vechtkamp in Thailand.
At the moment it is unclear whether the promotion is looking for a replacement of late notification for Pico or whether they will also remove it from the event and have to re -arrange the fight completely.
Volkanovski must still have booked his next title defense after rumors appeared that it would come across Yair Rodriguez, even though he had made it clear that he wanted to fight against Evloev.
🚨 The UFC Abu Dhabi card takes his first loss in the Movsar Evloev vs Aaron Pico Fight. According to our information, Evloev had to withdraw due to an injury or health status that he sustained during a fighting camp in Thailand. pic.twitter.com/8tycbsx0a
– Red Corner MMA (@redcorner_Mma) July 14, 2025
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UFC Abu Dhabi is still a strong card on paper
Although he has lost his Co-Main event, the UFC Abu DHABI card is still an extremely strong fighting evening on paper.
Shara Magomedov returns to action when he records the All-Action Marc-Andre Barriault, and former UFC Bantamweight champion Petr Yan also competes on the map against the rising Marcus Mcghee.