Abdul Hussein defeated Cody Gibson by arm-triangle choke submission on Saturday, July 25, 2026 [1], during the UFC Abu Dhabi event.

The victory marks a successful promotional debut for Hussein, establishing him as a dangerous contender in the bantamweight division. By finishing a veteran like Gibson, Hussein has signaled his intent to climb the rankings quickly.

The fight took place at the Etihad Arena in Abu Dhabi, United Arab Emirates [2]. Hussein secured the submission at 3:07 of the third round [4], ending the contest after a grueling battle. Following the victory, Hussein participated in an octagon interview with Daniel Cormier [1].

Hussein enters the UFC with a professional mixed martial arts record of 16-2 [5]. This win brings his promotional record to 1-0 [5]. His ability to maintain pace into the final round demonstrated significant cardiovascular endurance and technical precision during the choke sequence.

Cody Gibson, who has a professional record of 21-13 [6], struggled to escape the submission attempt. Gibson's record within the UFC now stands at 3-8 [6]. The loss highlights the difficulty experienced by seasoned fighters facing new prospects with high submission rates.

Throughout the post-fight interview, Hussein discussed his performance and the experience of winning in Abu Dhabi [1]. He said he focused on the execution of his game plan and the transition into the arm-triangle that led to the finish.

“Abdul Hussein defeated Cody Gibson by arm-triangle choke submission”

Hussein's victory over a durable veteran like Gibson provides the UFC with a fresh, high-finish-rate prospect in the bantamweight division. Winning by submission in the third round suggests Hussein possesses the late-fight stamina and grappling acumen necessary to compete with top-tier athletes, potentially accelerating his path toward main-card appearances.