Dustin Stoltzfus returns to UFC action at UFC 330 in Philadelphia

Middleweight Dustin Stoltzfus will make his first octagon appearance of 2026 this Saturday, August 15, at UFC 330. The Philadelphia native faces Mansur Abdul-Malik in a bout held in his hometown.

Stoltzfus, who holds a professional record of 16-8, revealed during Wednesday's media day that his health has improved following medical intervention for his nose. He explained that multiple previous nasal fractures had caused significant breathing difficulties, particularly when his head was lowered. These issues led to recurring immune system problems and frequent illnesses over the last three years, which often occurred just before competitions and hindered his performance.

Addressing the impact of these health concerns, Stoltzfus noted that resolving the nasal blockages helped clear his sinuses and allow for proper drainage. He stated that the procedure was overdue but has already yielded benefits during his training camp. He reported that his recovery time after reaching exhaustion has dropped from approximately one hour to just a few minutes, and his sleep quality has improved.

Due to his opponent training at Xtreme Couture, Stoltzfus moved his camp away from his usual training base in Las Vegas. He intends to return to that facility for future preparations.

When asked about the psychological impact of Abdul-Malik's first professional loss, Stoltzfus remained cautious. He noted that his own confidence was affected after his 10-fight winning streak ended, but he declined to comment further on how that might influence the upcoming fight.