The UFC Abu Dhabi card features thirteen bouts. This post will preview the seven fights that comprise the preliminary card. This card will be headlined by a bout between light heavyweight contenders, Alonzo Menifield and Azamat Murzakanov (pictured above).

All win probabilities are based off of a fighter’s Cage Calculus (CC) Rating and their place in the CC Rankings. The fighter’s name highlighted in green at the bottom of the panel indicates the editor’s pick to win. Also featured below their record and rating is their divisional rankings in the CC Rankings and the official UFC Rankings. Any fighter falling outside of the top 15 of their respective division is classified as NR (not ranked).

Also displayed to the right of their rankings is a fighter’s CCz Score. A positive CCz Score indicates a fighter is above average for their weight class. A negative one indicates they are below average. The higher the number is, the farther away from average a fighter is (in either direction). CCz Scores typically range from as high as positive 4, to as low as negative 2.5.

Without further ado, here is the Cage Calculus tale of the tape for this week’s fights!

UFC Abu Dhabi Prelim Previews – August 3, 2024

Sedrique Dumas vs. Denis Tiuliulin

Tiuliulin has struggled mightily, posting a 1-4 record in the UFC. Dumas has not been stellar either, coming in at 2-2 during his octagon stint. Tiuliulin has the lowest CC Rating and CCz Score of any UFC fighter. It could be this is the end of the road for his UFC career without a win in this one.

Jai Herbert vs. Rolando Bedoya

Jai Herbert acquitted himself well against current featherweight champion, Ilia Topuria. He’s a good range striker. Bedoya has looked dead the last two times out, but has since moved to Brazil for training with Charles Oliveira, and has come down to lightweight, where size should no longer be an issue for him. If he can close the distance, he can pull the upset.

Viktoriia Dudakova vs. Sam Hughes

Dudakova is one of the most talented prospects in the strawweight division and would almost certainly move into the CC Top 15 with a win here. She’s had most of her success in the distance striking. However, half of her pro wins are by submission. Against a wrestler like Hughes, she may need to change it up. However, she should still have the edge as long as she doesn’t end up fighting with her back against the cage.

Guram Kutateladze vs. Jordan Vucenic

Kutateladze is a very powerful lightweight. He’s always got knockout potential in the cage. Vucenic, for his part, is a talented submission grappler. Under normal circumstances, this might have been a fascinating matchup of styles. However, Vucenic is coming up from featherweight and taking this fight on short notice after Abdul Kareem Al-Selwady pulled out with injury. Kutateladze should have the cardio edge and if he avoids being submitted in round one, should be able to find the KO in rounds two or three.

Shamil Gaziev vs. Don’Tale Mayes

Gaziev is the more talented fighter here. He was thrust into a main event in just his second UFC appearance. He ultimately couldn’t handle a five round fight and faltered as the fight went on. This should be an easier test, but Mayes does have half of his UFC wins coming by decision. Mayes needs to weather the early storm and get to the scorecards, stealing rounds two and three. It’s a very narrow path to victory. Gaziev should have learned by now and won’t come in as unprepared as last time.

Kaue Fernandes vs. Mohammad Yahya

Both fighters are strikers. Yahya has more raw KO power, whereas Fernandes is more technical. The Brazilian has to keep the fight on the outside and avoid Yahya’s power for as long as possible. He has the tools to do so.

Azamat Murzakanov vs. Alonzo Menifield (Featured Prelim)

Murzakanov continues his unbeaten run into this chance to improve his stock in the light heavyweight division. He is a short light heavyweight, but has good reach and speed. Menfield might rush to try and close distance or even get the fight to the ground (though, he may not want to rush as hard as he did against Carlos Ulberg). Ultimately, Murzakanov’s speed and striking will cause the same problems for Menifield as they have all of his other opponents thus far.

Picture Credit: MMA Fighting