Preview: UFC Saudi Arabia Prelims

Heavyweights

Hamdy Abdelwahab (5-0, 0-0 UFC) vs. Jamal Pogues (11-4, 2-1 UFC)

ODDS: Abdelwahab (-112), Pogues (-108)

Two and a half years after his impressive UFC debut, Abdelwahab returns to the Octagon. A former Olympic wrestler for his native Egypt, Abdelwahab was a worthy enough flier for the UFC in 2022 on that background alone, and he at least showed the ability to quickly knock out some low-level competition during his brief mixed martial arts career. Abdelwahab’s UFC debut win over Don'Tale Mayes wasn’t particularly pretty, but it was something to build on. When he proved unable to knock Mayes out early, Abdelwahab did well to just keep pressuring and throwing out volume, even if he did tire and run out of ideas. However, Abdelwahab was pulled out of a subsequent booking due to a failed drug test, but the UFC did stick by him after that screen and after he failed a subsequent test, so he now makes his return against Pogues. Syndicate MMA’s Pogues has won two out of his three UFC fights to date, but it’s still hard to tell exactly what to make of “The Stormtrooper.” Pogues was a solid prospect as a regional light heavyweight, as he was able to impose himself as a bully with his wrestling. Things have been much more of a mixed bag since he’s now clearly a full-time heavyweight. His wrestling is effective in spots, and he has some fast hands combined with some low power, making for a lot of close and aimless affairs. Pogues could just survive and outlast the Egyptian, but even an exhausted Abdelwahab figures to be stronger and more potent than the American down the stretch. As long as the layoff and drug test failures don’t affect him, this looks like Abdelwahab’s fight to lose. The pick is Abdelwahab via decision.

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Abdelwahab vs. Pogues