Nathaniel Wood vs. Umar Nurmagomedov Set For July 25th. UFC Fight Island Event

Mandatory Credit: Zuffa LLC 

A bantamweight pairing between division prospects, Nathaniel 'The Prospect' Wood, and promotional debutante, Umar Nurmagomedov is set to feature at a UFC 'Fight Island' event on July 25th. - from Yas Island in Abu Dhabi, UAE.

Attempting to rebound from his first promotional defeat, former Cage Warriors bantamweight best, Wood, will make his first appearance since his stoppage loss to two-time flyweight title challenger, John 'The Magician' Dodson at UFC Fight Night Rio Rancho in February. Nurmagomedov, the cousin of UFC lightweight titleholder, Khabib - will make his first walk under the UFC banner, looking to improve on his undefeated 12-0 record. News of the pairing was initially reported on the, Mo Hosani 360 podcast.

Debuting in the promotion back in June of 2018 at UFC Fight Night Utica, Wood managed a submission win over Johnny Eduardo. In two finishes since, the 26-year-old submitted both Andre Ewell, and José Alberto Quiñónez. In a high-profile pairing with the aforementioned, Dodson - the Brad Pickett trainee dropped an early third-round stoppage. The defeat marked Wood's first in eight-outings, following another third-round knockout, this time a doctor's stoppage opposite Alan Philpott at BAMMA 24: Ireland vs. England.

Sambo-ace, Nurmagomedov will make his thirteenth professional outing, following twelve straight wins. The 24-year-old upstart has competed under the PFL and Fight Nights Global banners in the past. Nurmagomedov was initially scheduled to make his Octagon debut opposite Hunter Azure on the first instalment of UFC 249 on March 18th. from the Tachi Palace Resort Casino in Lemoore, California - until the entire event was shelved amid the ongoing COVID-19 pandemic.