Overview

• Steven Nguyen dominated the UFC Abu Dhabi preliminary, repeatedly targeting Mohammed Yahya’s eye with devastating strikes.
• Nguyen executed six clean takedowns, establishing a new UFC single-fight record.
• Medical staff intervened in round three when Yahya’s eyelid became fully swollen shut, resulting in a TKO stoppage.
• Fans and analysts criticized the referee and Yahya’s corner for delaying the fight’s stoppage despite visible injury.
• The incident has intensified scrutiny of real-time safety enforcement and medical protocols in mixed martial arts.