Overview

• Steven Nguyen earned a second-round TKO at UFC Abu Dhabi after six knockdowns left Mohammad Yahya unable to continue.
• Yahya’s left eye ballooned shut under repeated strikes, prompting a contested stoppage by referee Jason Herzog alongside a cageside doctor.
• Post-fight CT scans reportedly revealed no facial fractures, though former fighter Jared Gordon warned that severe swelling can hide underlying damage.
• UFC president Dana White shared images of Yahya’s injury and has hinted at covering his medical expenses in line with past support for injured fighters.
• The bout’s brutality and record-setting performance have intensified calls from fans and athletes for stricter cage-side safety protocols.