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The UFC is again in Abu Dhabi for one other Fight Night card from Etihad Arena as we carry a prediction and pick for this opening tilt within the Bantamweight (135) Division. Finland’s Abdul Hussein will make his UFC debut in opposition to California’s Cody Gibson stepping in on the final minute to avoid wasting this battle. Check our UFC Abu Dhabi odds series for the Hussein-Gibson prediction and pick.
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Abdul Hussein (15-2) makes his promotional debut with an ideal 5-0 document underneath UAE Warriors. He most not too long ago beat former UFC prospect Tyson Nam through knockout to safe the ICF title belt, now pivoting opponents after Muin Gafurov pulled out of this bout. Hussein comes within the stern favourite standing 5-foot-5 with an unknown attain.
Cody Gibson (21-12) will step into this battle on three weeks discover to exchange Muin Gafurov behind a 3-7 UFC document since 2014. The former Ultimate Fighter runner-up is 2-4 since returning to the promotion in 2023, now hoping to capitalize on this brief discover underdog spot following current back-to-back losses. Gibson stands 5-foot-10 with a 71-inch attain.
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UFC Abu Dhabi Odds, courtesy of DraftKings.
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UFC Abu Dhabi Odds: Abdul Hussein-Cody Gibson Odds
Abdul Hussein: -470
Cody Gibson: +360
Over 2.5 rounds: +140
Under 2.5 rounds: -180
Why Abdul Hussein Will Win
Last Fight: (W) Tyson Nam – TKO (punches, R1)
Finishes: 5 KO/TKO, 9 SUB
Abdul Hussein comes into this UFC debut with a cultured 15-2 document by way of fights with CAGE Finland, Brave CF, UAE Warriors, and most not too long ago ICF. He’s very well-rounded on the ft and hasn’t been threatened a lot due to his protection, however his actual experience is available in his grappling and skill to regulate opponents on the bottom. He’ll actually have a grappling benefit over Gibson and it will be attention-grabbing to see how he makes the transition to UFC competitors.
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Hussein is at his finest when he is capable of tie his opponents up within the clinch and power them to the bottom with arm drags or taking their again on the ft. He’s deceptively robust and capable of knock opponents off their stability as soon as he grabs maintain, a unbelievable deterrent for keen strikers wanting to shut the gap on him.
Hussein additionally incorporates a robust straight jab and has wobbled opponents up to now when he is capable of land flush. He’s not essentially the most highly effective striker and will not be a lot of a menace to finish the battle with one punch, however he is actually constant along with his output and might put on on opponents if he begins touchdown in bunches.
Why Cody Gibson Will Win
Last Fight: (L) Aoriqileng – TKO (strikes, R1)
Finishes: 7 KO/TKO, 5 SUB
Cody Gibson is clearly hungry for a UFC win following back-to-back losses in opposition to Da’Mon Blackshear (SUB) and Aoriqileng (TKO) inside the gap. This got here after he posted back-t0-back wins over Brian Kelleher and Chad Anheliger, so we have seen proof Gibson has what it takes to win at this degree. This might be his first look of 2026 as he’ll be trying to achieve his rhythm again in an underdog spot.
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Gibson is extraordinarily sport on the ft and is greater than keen to have interaction his opponent in a placing canine battle. He could favor this strategy in opposition to Hussein as he’ll be the extra aggressive striker throwing extra quantity. Gibson sports activities a really stable 69% takedown protection and can make Hussein work for each try. On the bottom, Gibson does not concede a lot and can often harm his opponent on the very least if he is in a nasty spot.
To achieve success right here, Gibson should repeatedly discourage the takedowns from Hussein in hopes of tiring his opponent out and being the more energizing facet by the third spherical. We’ve seen Gibson develop stronger because the battle wears on, particularly throughout a brawl, so ‘profitable ugly’ might be a robust point of interest for Gibson because the underdog right here.
Final Abdul Hussein-Cody Gibson Prediction & Pick
Despite the lopsided betting odds in favor of Abdul Hussein, Cody Gibson just isn’t a straightforward out for any opponent not to mention somebody making their UFC debut. Hussein should be measured and exact in his strategy, in any other case Gibson could drag him right into a back-and-forth brawl on the ft.
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A placing affair will surely favor Gibson as Hussein is not keen to constantly stroll into unanswered combos. Securing the primary few takedowns might be essential in rising his confidence and can show to be vital if Gibson is ready to drag this battle out into the third spherical.
However, I believe Hussein’s strain and conservative wrestling will nonetheless earn him important management time as he is merely the extra smothering grappler of the 2. Expect Gibson to have a number of moments of frustration as Hussein’s floor management will finally earn him the win.
Final Abdul Hussein-Cody Gibson Prediction & Pick: Abdul Hussein (-470); UNDER 2.5 Rounds (-180)
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