Surging light heavyweight prospect Abdul-Rakhman Yakhyaev returns to the Octagon Saturday night, taking on veteran striker Brendson Ribeiro at the Meta APEX in Las Vegas.
Yakhyaev (8–0, 1–0 UFC) is coming off a spectacular UFC debut in November, needing just 33 seconds to score a submission win over Rafael Cerqueira. Ribeiro (17–9, 2–4 UFC) is reeling from back-to-back first-round knockouts, most recently against Oumar Sy in September.
Yakhyaev enters as an overwhelming -1800 moneyline favorite on DraftKings Sportsbook, while Ribeiro sits as a +1000 underdog. The total is set at 1.5 rounds.
Yakhyaev vs. Ribeiro Preview
Abdul-Rakhman Yakhyaev
Abdul-Rakhman Yakhyaev fights like he’s running late for dinner. Aptly nicknamed “The Hunter,” he boasts an 88% finish rate — comprising three knockouts and four submissions — with six first-round stoppages, including in each of his last four bouts.
The all-around Turkish prospect, 25, punched a ticket to MMA’s biggest stage with a 30-second knockout of Alik Lorenz on Dana White’s Contender Series in August. As if anyone doubted whether his style could translate to the Octagon, he quickly erased that notion with a 33-second submission of Rafael Cerqueira in November.
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On Saturday night, he’ll look to dismiss another veteran on his way to the top 15.
Brendson Ribeiro
Brendson Ribeiro has struggled to find a foothold at 205 pounds since his UFC debut in early 2024. Following a contract-clinching, first-round knockout of Bruno Lopes on DWCS, he’s gone just 2–4 inside the Octagon. That turbulent stretch includes three knockout losses, and he trudges into Saturday’s contest following back-to-back first-round stoppages.
Including this one:
“The Gorilla,” 29, is a balanced striker with nine knockouts and seven submissions to his name — producing a 94% finish rate. But his compromised chin, along with his paltry 18% takedown defense, spells trouble against one of the more dynamic rising prospects on the active roster.
Yakhyaev vs. Ribeiro Pick, Best Bet
Yakhyaev is a -1800 favorite for a reason. Saturday night presents the blue chip prospect with another opportunity to bolster his resume and accelerate his ascendance against an aging veteran with an eroding chin. Matchups like these typically end early — and in highlight fashion.
