UFC adds Nathaniel Wood vs. Umar Nurmagomedov to July 25 lineup

Umar Nurmagomedov is finally set for his UFC debut.

Nurmagomedov (12-0 MMA, 0-0 UFC) will take on Nathaniel Wood (16-4 MMA, 3-1 UFC) on July 25 at Yas Island in Abu Dhabi – also known as “Fight Island.”

A person with knowledge of the situation confirmed the booking to MMA Junkie after an initial report from the “Mo Hosani 360” podcast. The person asked to remain anonymous since the promotion has yet to make an official announcement.

Nurmagomedov was scheduled to make his UFC debut vs. Hunter Azure in April, but the event was canceled due to the COVID-19 pandemic. Nurmagomedov, a former Gorilla Fighting Championship bantamweight titleholder, is unbeaten in his pro MMA career and coming off a first-round submission over Braian Gonzalez this past November.

After submitting his first three opponents in the UFC, Wood suffered his first promotional loss in February when he was stopped by John Dodson in the third round. The former Cage Warriors bantamweight champion has only gone the distance twice in his 16 pro wins.

With the addition, the current July 25 lineup includes:

• Darren Till vs. Robert Whittaker
• Antonio Rogerio Nogueira vs. Mauricio Rua
• Alexander Gustafsson vs. Fabricio Werdum
• Raphael Pessoa vs. Justin Tafa
• Umar Nurmagomedov vs. Nathaniel Wood