Undefeated lightweight prospect Nurullo Aliev returns to the Octagon Saturday night, taking on Mike Davis at UFC Fight Night: Ankalaev vs. Guskov in Abu Dhabi.
Aliev (11–0, 3–0 UFC) is off to a flawless start inside the Octagon, now coming off a commanding decision win over Shem Rock in November. Davis (12–3, 5–2 UFC) is back after a year away from the cage, looking to build on his second-round TKO victory against Mitch Ramirez in July 2025.
Aliev enters as a -225 moneyline favorite on DraftKings Sportsbook. Davis is a +185 underdog, with the fight total set at O/U 2.5 rounds.
Aliev vs. Davis Preview
Nurullo Aliev
- 11–0 (3–0 UFC)
- 2–0 (T)KO
- 0–0 SUB
The “Tajik Eagle” has gotten off to a flying start in the UFC. Nurullo Aliev has coasted to three straight decision victories on the back of his suffocating ground game, overwhelming opponents with his grappling pressure while taking minimal damage.
Aliev, 25, enters Saturday night with only two career stoppages — but showed on Dana White’s Contender Series that he’s capable of unleashing some brutal ground-and-pound. Facing the toughest test of his young career, he may have to dip back into his destructive toolbox to get the job done on Saturday night.
Mike Davis
- 12–3 (5–2 UFC)
- 8–0 (T)KO
- 2–1 SUB
If you want to see what a rising prospect is truly capable of, you pit him against Mike Davis. The battle-tested American has taken on some of the tougher tests at 170 pounds — his only pro losses coming against Sodiq Yusuff, Gilbert Burns, and rising prospect Fares Ziam.
“Beast Boy,” 33, employs polished boxing with serious knockout power — and a strong grappling base to boot. He enters Saturday night with five wins in his last six trips to the cage, most recently stopping Mitch Ramirez via second-round TKO.
The only problem? That was a year ago. Already saddled with questionable takedown defense (60 percent), Davis will be attempting to shake off the ring rust while actively getting chased down by his young and hungry opponent. It’s no easy feat.
Aliev vs. Davis Pick, Best Bet
There’s a non-zero chance that Mike Davis is entering Saturday as a live underdog — that he can lean on his refined striking and wealth of Octagon experience to stump the surging prospect. But after a year away from the cage, and having already displayed porous takedown defense, it seems unlikely that he’ll be able to sustain the relentless pace and grappling pressure from Nurullo Aliev.
Aliev, who enters with an eight-year age advantage, has shown that he can blanket opponents for what feels like 15 straight minutes. With negligible finishing upside, we should be in for more of the same in Abu Dhabi.
