Venue and Event Details
The Meta APEX (formerly UFC Apex) is UFC’s intimate, state-of-the-art 1,200-seat facility in Enterprise, Nevada (Las Vegas Valley). It features a regulation Octagon optimized for broadcast and close-quarters action. As a standard Fight Night, the event is invitation/broadcast-focused with no public ticket sales.
Fight Card Format: 13 bouts (5 main card on Paramount+, 8 prelims). This light heavyweight bout sits on the main card as a featured showcase. All non-headliner bouts are three rounds.
Start Times (all ET): Prelims begin at 5:00 p.m.; Main Card at 8:00 p.m. Live on Paramount+ (U.S.).
Weight Class: Light Heavyweight (205 lbs).
Injury Report and Card Notes
No injuries or withdrawals have been reported for this main-card bout or the broader card. Both Yakhyaev and Ribeiro made weight successfully. The lineup remains fully intact with all athletes medically cleared.
Key Fighter Matchups and Full Card Highlights
The card mixes veterans and prospects. Standouts include the main event (Moicano vs. Duncan) and co-main (Jandiroba vs. Ricci). Spotlight main-card feature:
Light Heavyweight Main Card: Abdul-Rakhman “The Hunter” Yakhyaev (8-0-0, Turkey/Chechnya) vs. Brendson “The Gorilla” Ribeiro (17-9-0, 1 NC, Brazil).
Yakhyaev (6’2″, ~78″ reach, Orthodox, age 25): Undefeated blue-chip prospect and finishing machine (3 KOs, 4 subs; 6 first-round finishes). Explosive power, elite grappling, and 100% takedown accuracy/100% takedown defense in UFC so far.
Ribeiro (6’3″, ~81″ reach, Orthodox, age 29): Veteran power striker/grappler with early danger but defensive vulnerabilities. UFC record sits at 2-4 (recent skid).
A classic prospect showcase: Yakhyaev’s perfect record and rapid finishes vs. Ribeiro’s experience and desperation in a high-stakes light heavyweight scrap.
Recent Fighter Forms and Fight History (Focus on Key Bouts)
Abdul-Rakhman Yakhyaev: Perfect 8-0, with both UFC wins coming in under a minute (33-second rear-naked choke sub vs. Rafael Cerqueira, Nov. 22, 2025; 30-second TKO vs. Alik Lorenz on DWCS, Aug. 2025). Pre-UFC: Multiple first-round subs and KOs in ARES FC and regional scenes. Strengths: Blistering pace, finishing rate (7 of 8 wins by stoppage), and well-rounded athleticism. No weaknesses exposed yet.
Brendson Ribeiro: 2-4 in UFC with a current two-fight losing skid via first-round TKO (to Oumar Sy in 4:42, Sep. 2025; to Azamat Murzakanov in 3:25, Jun. 2025). Prior: Sub win over Diyar Nurgozhay (Mar. 2025) and split decision over Caio Machado. Strengths: Early power and grappling bursts, but poor striking defense (absorbs high volume) and takedown defense (~18%) have been exploited.
Fight History: First meeting—no prior bouts. Yakhyaev enters as the heavy favorite in a classic “can he be stopped?” showcase against a veteran on the roster bubble.
FIGHT ODDS
Abdul Rakhman Yakhyaev – 1750
Brendson Ribeiro + 900
Odds Courtesy of Sports Odds Direct as of Friday, April 3, 2026
