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Middleweight Gets Chance At 3-0 UFC Record Year After Receiving Contract

Originally posted on MMA Sucka | By Hank Strandberg | Last updated Sep 19, 2025 9:06 AM ET

Middleweight phenom Mansur Abdul-Malik makes his return to the cage this December on one of the last UFC cards of the year, where he will look to complete a perfect 3-0 record inside the Octagon for 2025.

Mansur Abdul-Malik faces Antonio Trócoli in Las Vegas

Standing among the hottest up-and-comers from Dana White’s Contender Series we’ve seen in recent times, the undefeated Mansur Abdul-Malik will throw down one final time this year at UFC 323 at the T-Mobile Arena in Nevada, where he will come to blows with the 12-year veteran Antonio Trócoli.

After earning his contract with the promotion last year on Dana White’s Contender Series, Abdul-Malik has built himself up as a middleweight prospect to watch out for after logging three successful trips to the cage this year, with all but one of those fights ending by knockout.

Mansur Abdul-Malik Begins UFC Tenure with Hot Streak

Kicking off his run with a sensational stoppage over company veteran Duško Todorović, the MMA MASTERS representative once again captivated fight fans by starching Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu brown belt and fellow Contender Series alum Nick Klein.

Heading into his contest with middleweight standout Cody Brundage at UFC Atlanta, the Pennsylvania native was looking to be on his way toward a solid unanimous decision victory. That was until an accidental clash of heads rendered Brundage unable to continue fighting, resulting in an initial majority decision for Abdul-Malik. ‘

However, the Georgia State Athletic Commission was quick to change the result of the tilt to a draw, citing that rounds that were not finished are deemed void.

Anthony Trocoli Has Had Rough Time at Middleweight in UFC

Originally earning a UFC contract after a first round submission on the Contender Series back in 2019, Trócoli’s entrance into the organization was canceled after he tested positive for nandrolone. This forced the Brazilian back to the regional scene, netting another win before being invited back to the promotion three years later. Despite his success outside the UFC, “Malvado” has largely struggled inside the Octagon, losing to Shara Magomedov and Tresean Gore. It should be noted that these scraps took place at middleweight, a weight class that Trócoli had only fought in once back in 2017, fighting mainly at welterweight and light heavyweight.