Abu Dhabi hosts a UFC event for the first time this year as it seems to be one of the most exciting Fight Night's of 2024. The Main Event sees the #2 Bantamweight contender, Cory Sandhagen, take on the undefeated #10 contender, Umar Nurmagomedov, with the winner possibly in line for the next title shot. Here is everything you need to know about this wild event.
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β UFC Europe (@UFCEurope) August 3, 2024
Cory Sandhagen vs Umar Nurmagomedov at #UFCAbuDhabi tonight, who you got?!@VisitAbuDhabi | @InAbuDhabi | #InAbuDhabi pic.twitter.com/1gNoe0BTZv
Cory Sandhagen last fought a year ago when he earned a dominant unanimous decision win over Rob Font at UFC Nashville, keeping himself at the top of the Bantamweight rankings.
The Sandman is currently on a three-fight winning streak after he earned a Doctor Stoppage win at the end of the fourth round against Song Yadong 60 and a split decision victory against Marlon Vera at UFC San Antonio.
The Colorado-born fighter does not take fights to the distance very often as six of his 10 wins in the UFC have ended with a finish, and they often end in a spectacular style.
Sandhagen has been at the top of the Bantamweight division for a while but has yet to have earned an opportunity for undisputed gold as this fight could help him push to fight the winner of Sean O'Malley vs Merab Dvalishvili from UFC 306.
Umar Nurmagomedov last fought earlier on this year when he earned an unanimous decision win over Bekzat Almakhan at UFC Vegas 87.
The undefeated Russian has only had five fights in the UFC, winning two by unanimous decision, two by submission, and one by knockout as it has not taken him long to be in the Bantamweight rankings.
The #10 Bantamweight contender has nine finishes in his MMA career as well as eight decision wins with all of those ending unanimously, showing that he has been dominant in almost every fight of his career.
Nurmagomedov has the prime chance of boosting up to #2 in the 135-pound rankings and possibly get a Bantamweight title shot on his seventh UFC fight, if he is successful at UFC Abu Dhabi.
Other fights you should look out for
Sharaputdin Magomedov vs Michal Oleksiejczuk - Magomedov has already made a name for himself in the UFC, fighting twice for the organisation in the space of 10 months with his last fight ending victoriously by third-round TKO. Bullet is undefeated with 13 wins with 11 of those fights ending by KO/TKO as he is dangerous on the feet. A win for the Russian could see him enter the Middleweight rankings or just put him outside.
Oleksiejczuk has not been very successful this year, losing two fights by first-round submission to Michel Pereira at UFC 299 and Kevin Holland at UFC 302. Just like his opponent, Hussar is strong on the feet as 14 of his 19 MMA victories have ended by KO/TKO with his last knockout win coming at UFC Singapore against Chidi Njokuani. The Polish fighter is a big underdog going into this Middleweight bout, but he has the ultimate opportunity to become the first fighter to defeat Magomedov.
Marlon Vera vs Deiveson Figueiredo - Vera last fought in the Main Event of UFC 299 where he failed to capture the UFC Bantamweight title, losing to Sean O'Malley by unanimous decision. Chito has never been stopped in his MMA career and has finished 18 of his 23 conquered opponents, showing how tough he really is. The #4 Bantamweight contender aims to redeem his title loss and remain in the top five of the Bantamweight rankings.
Figueiredo has been incredible since he debuted in the UFC Bantamweight division, earning an unanimous decision win against Rob Font at UFC Austin and a second-round submission win against Cody Garbrandt at UFC 300. The former UFC Flyweight Champion also has 18 finishes, sharing the same amount of knockout and submission wins. The #6 Bantamweight contender could be one fight away from a shot at UFC Bantamweight Gold, if he is successful in Abu Dhabi.
Michael Chiesa vs Tony Ferguson - Chiesa last fought at UFC 291 where he would increase his losing streak to three after a first-round submission loss to Kevin Holland. Maverick is a dangerous submission artist with 11 of his 18 victories ending with his opponents submitting to the Aurora-born fighter. Chiesa will want redemption in this Welterweight bout and could just be the fighter that retires Tony Ferguson if he does stop him.
Ferguson is currently on a seven-fight losing streak with his MMA career in jeopardy after his last loss came against Paddy Pimblett at UFC 296. The former Interim UFC Lightweight Champion was on a 12-fight winning streak before his downfall, earning nine finishes which is what made him so scary to watch at the time. El Cucuy is in desperate need of a win as it could be the last time he steps into the Octagon.
Who will succeed between Sandhagen and Numrgomedov? Which fight are you looking forward to the most?
Written by Charlie Oxtoby
Instagram: charlie_oxtoby
MMA Instagram: undisputed._.mma
Twitter: Charlie_Oxtoby1
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