Wellington Turman returns at UFC Abu Dhabi after four surgeries

Wellington Turman will fight for the first time in 19 months Saturday, ending a layoff marked by four shoulder surgeries and a return to Brazil when his U.S. visa expired.

The Brazilian middleweight faces Islam Dulatov at UFC Abu Dhabi after a stretch that forced him to take side jobs and coach in Turkey while unable to train full-time. Turman injured both shoulders in a December 2023 loss to Jared Gooden, then watched his rehabilitation spiral when an infection required a second procedure on his right shoulder days before his left shoulder surgery, MMA Fighting reports. Months later, a fourth surgery addressed lingering bone displacement.

Turman moved home to save money during rehab

The UFC pays fighters per bout, so Turman relocated from Danbury, Connecticut, to his parents' house in Brazil to cut expenses while he recovered. He also spent three months coaching fighters in Turkey. "It was a tough time, very difficult to be away from doing what I love and from my job," he told MMA Fighting. "But we're finally back, and I'm really happy to be here again."

Turman enters the octagon on a three-fight skid, with losses to Gooden, Randy Brown, and Andre Petroski on his record. He acknowledged the pressure but said it fuels him. Dulatov arrives with multiple first-round knockout wins and a modeling career that has drawn attention outside the cage. Turman called the pairing ideal for his return.

"He's a guy with a lot of hype around him," Turman said. "That's the kind of thing that makes some fighters nervous. For me, it's the opposite. It motivates me even more." The middleweight bout is scheduled for Saturday's card in the UAE capital.

Reported via:

• MMA Fighting — Wellington Turman details ‘tough time’ away after 4 surgeries ahead of UFC Abu Dhabi return