​Dustin Jacoby is set to make his 18th appearance in the UFC on July 25, when the promotion hosts an event at the Etihad Arena in Abu Dhabi. The American is scheduled to face Muhammad Said, a promotional newcomer, in the light-heavyweight division. Multiple sources have confirmed the matchup to Heavy.com, with Jacoby currently ranked No. 11 in the UFC Meta Rankings. For Said, this represents a significant opportunity to break into the organization’s rankings in what would be his first UFC appearance.
Jacoby has long been one of the division’s most recognizable names. He originally made his UFC debut in 2011 but was released after suffering back-to-back losses. After that setback, Jacoby spent years bouncing between kickboxing and MMA, until he earned a second chance on Dana White’s Contender Series in 2020. Since locking in a new UFC contract, Jacoby has dedicated himself fully to MMA. He embarked on a remarkable seven-fight unbeaten streak in the UFC, a run that was halted by a controversial split decision loss to Khalil Rountree Jr. The setback tempered his momentum, and he would only win one of his next four bouts, dropping out of the top 15 in the process.
In late 2024, Jacoby delivered a needed spark by knocking out Vitor Petrino in the third round. That victory helped him get back on track, and he followed it with wins over Bruno Lopes and Julius Walker, both by finish, extending his current three-fight winning streak. Now Jacoby will face Muhammad Said in Abu Dhabi.
Said’s path to this moment began in 2022 when he started his professional MMA career. The Russian fighter, who now represents the United Arab Emirates, previously built a reputation as an amateur fighter and later exploded onto the scene with MMA Series Russia, where he earned a reputation as a highlight reel artist. His rapid ascent continued after turning pro and signing with UAE Warriors. There, he made a strong impression over two fights, first securing a hard-fought unanimous decision over Valmir da Silva and then delivering a spectacular early first-round knockout against UFC veteran Luis Henrique da Silva. With this UFC debut looming, Said puts his undefeated record on the line against Jacoby.
UFC Abu Dhabi on July 25 is stacked with notable bouts, including Magomed Ankalaev vs. Khalil Rountree Jr., Rizvan Kuniev vs. Tyrell Fortune, Steve Erceg vs. Ramazan Temirov, and the featured Jacoby vs. Said showdown, among others. The card also lists Abubakar Vagaev vs. Saygid Izagakhmaev, Santiago Ponzinibbio vs. Sam Patterson, Valter Walker vs. Thomas Petersen, Nurullo Aliev vs. Mike Davis, Ismael Bonfim vs. Axel Sola, Islam Dulatov vs. Wellington Turman, Abdul Hussein vs. TBD, Magomed Tuchalov vs. Brendson Ribeiro, and Magomed Zaynukov vs. Damian Rzepecki, rounding out a robust lineup.
Fans following Heavy’s coverage can expect updates and analysis as the event approaches, including deeper dives into Jacoby’s recent performances and Said’s ascent to the UFC stage. This matchup represents a pivotal moment for both fighters: Jacoby seeking to extend his winning streak and reassert his position in the upper tier of the division, and Said aiming to confirm his potential on the world’s premier MMA platform. As always, Heavy will continue to bring you the latest developments surrounding UFC Abu Dhabi and the rest of the fight week.