UFC Abu Dhabi goes down this Saturday, August 3, inside Etihad Arena, which is located in Abu Dhabi, UAE. LIVE coverage starts on ESPN+ and ABC, beginning at 12 p.m. ET.
Click here to watch Cory Sandhagen speak to Kamaru Usman and Henry Cejudo about his upcoming fight with Umar Nurmagomed at UFC Abu Dhabi and a potential matchup with UFC bantamweight champion Sean O’Malley.
UFC Abu Dhabi Main Event: Cory Sandhagen vs. Umar Nurmagomedov
UFC Abu Dhabi’s main event features bantamweight’s best as No. 2-ranked Cory Sandhagen (17-4-0) and No. 10-ranked Umar Nurmagomedov (17-0-0) will clash over a scheduled five-rounds in a title eliminator bout.
Cory Sandhagen will have his work cut out for him this Saturday as he faces the highly talented and dangerous Umar Nurmagomedov.
With its high stakes, this UFC Abu Dhabi title eliminator bout will decide who faces the winner of UFC Noche’s main event between UFC bantamweight champion Sean O’Malley and Merab Dvalishvili in September.
The anticipation for this bout is palpable, and the outcome will significantly impact the future of the bantamweight division.
Sandhagen comes into this matchup with strong momentum, having secured an impressive three-fight win streak over Rob Font, Marlon Vera, and Song Yadong.
These victories showcase his potential and make him a formidable opponent for Nurmagomedov.
Nurmagomedov is riding a jaw-dropping 17-fight win streak; however, he has not won against a ranked opponent.
The experience factor in this matchup can be deceiving and will likely drive many fans and bettors to side with the underdog Sandhagen.
However, this will be a tale of ‘styles make fights’ as the more talented and physically stronger grappler Nurmagomedov can dictate where this fight takes place.
It will be in Sandhagen’s best interest to disengage with and neutralize Nurmagomedov’s grappling efforts at all costs. However, I foresee Sandhagen’s recent improvements and prioritization of mixed martial arts-centered grappling detrimenting his means of winning.
His willingness to participate in grappling exchanges with Nurmagomedov will ultimately cost him this fight.
That said, Nurmagomedov is not just a grappling force. He is a more than capable striker who possesses an arsenal of kicks that pose a significant threat to any top bantamweight. His striking skills should not be underestimated, and he should be able to hold his own when standing up against Sandhagen, adding an extra layer of intensity to the fight.
Prediction: Nurmagomedov via Decision
UFC Abu Dhabi Co-main Event: Sharaputdin Magomedov vs. Michal Oleksiejczuk
This UFC Abu Dhabi co-main event matchup is tailor made for rising Middleweight star Sharaputdin Magomedov (13-0-0) to secure a highlight-reel finish over Michal Oleksiejczuk (19-8-0, 1NC).
Unranked middleweights are set to engage in what will most likely be a striking affair as Magomedov and Oleksiejczuk will clash in a three-round bout.
The extremely talented striker Magomedov, who recently showcased his skills in a hard-fought third-round TKO of Antonio Trocoli, is a force to be reckoned with in the upcoming bout.
Oleksiejczuk, the Polish man, last fought against Kevin Holland in June. The fight was ruled a first-round submission stoppage after it appeared that Holland broke his arm with an armbar.
Oleksiejczuk has since expressed some frustration with this ruling, claiming that his arm was not broken and could continue.
I see Magomedov teeing off on the slower, more petite, less-skilled man. This fight will remain standing, and I struggle to see any lapses in Magomedov’s game that a fighter at Oleksiejczuk’s level can capitalize on.
A barrage of kicks, knees, and elbows will most likely initiate the finish sequence of this fight, and I predict it will come early on, adding to the excitement of this UFC Abu Dhabi matchup.
Prediction: Magomedov via KO/TKO R1
Marlon ‘Chito’ Vera vs. Deiveson Figueiredo
UFC Abu Dhabi’s fiery matchup between elite bantamweights No. 4-ranked Marlon ‘Chito’ Vera (23-9-1) and No. 6-ranked Deiveson Figueiredo (23-3-1) will be sure to entertain fans around the world.
Coming off his one-sided decision loss to reigning UFC bantamweight champion Sean O’Malley, Marlon ‘Chito’ Vera now faces the daunting challenge of former UFC flyweight champion Deiveson Figueiredo over three-rounds at UFC Abu Dhabi.
Figueiredo, 36, comes into this fight as the older man with less overall fighting experience. However, he easily has more precious time spent inside the cage.
Having competed in several title fights, the Brazilian former champion has a plethora of knowledge and experience for mixed martial arts at the highest level.
Figueiredo’s recent move up bantamweight has many fight pundits expecting impressive results after his recent wins against Rob Font and Cody Garbrandt.
As for Vera, he will be coming into this matchup with a chip on his shoulder as he looks to bounce back from his devastating title challenge loss to Sean O’Malley back in March.
That said, I see the former champion Figueiredo holding advantages in striking speed, power, and shot selection. However, he may look to take this fight to the mat as he is also extremely talented in the grappling department.
It’s hard to say how Vera will choose to respond to his recent loss, whether he will become a shell of himself or rise to the occasion and pick up a massive win at UFC Abu Dhabi. Overall, I do not see this matchup and timeline of recent events boding well for Vera.
I think Figueiredo will be one-step ahead of Vera for all three rounds, practically leading the dance against a reactive fighter in Vera.
Prediction: Figueiredo via Decision
Tony Ferguson vs. Michael Chiesa
This UFC Abu Dhabi main card bout features two welterweight veterans of the sport as former UFC interim lightweight champion Tony Ferguson (26-10-0) faces submission specialist Michael Chiesa (18-7-0).
Fight fans have no clue what to expect from this matchup, as both men are desperately seeking their first victory in over three years. Chiesa is riding a three fight losing streak, where as Ferguson is likewise riding a 7-fight losing streak.
Chiesa’s most recent bout was a tough loss against Kevin Holland in July 2023, while Ferguson’s last fight in December 2023 against Paddy Pimblett ended in a decision loss after three grueling rounds.
Ferguson last appeared against England’s rising star, Paddy Pimblett, at UFC 296 in December 2023. He was knocked down and handily beaten over three rounds en route to a decision loss in this fight.
That said, size and physicality are the biggest differences in this fight. The bigger, stronger grappler will eventually look to close the striking distance and initiate takedowns to hunt submission threats.
This fight will most likely be the ugliest of UFC Abu Dhabi, looking slow and sloppy on the feet for as long as it stays there until Chiesa can secure dominant positions on the ground. Ultimately, Chiesa can secure a tight choke on the smaller, older man.
Prediction: Chiesa via Submission R2
Other Fights on UFC Abu Dhabi
Main Card:
- (W 115 lbs.) Mackenzie Dern (13-5-0) vs. Lupita Godinez (12-4-0): Dern via Decision
- (155 lbs.) Joel Alvarez (20-3-0) vs. Elves Brener (16-4-0): Alvarez via Decision
Prelims:
- (205 lbs.) Azamat Murzakanov (13-0-0) vs. Alonzo Menifield (15-4-1): Murzakanov via KO/TKO R1
- (155 lbs.) Mohammad Yahya (12-4-0) vs. Kaue Fernandes (8-2-0): Yahya via Decision
- (265 lbs.) Shamil Gaziev (12-1-0) vs Don’Tale Mayes (11-6-0, 1NC): Gaziev via Decision
- (155 lbs.) Guram Kutateladze (12-4-0) vs. Jordan Vucenic (13-2-0): Kutateladze via Decision
- (W 115 lbs.) Vikitoriia Dudakova (8-0-0) vs. Sam Hughes (8-6-0): Dudakova via Decision
- (155 lbs.) Jai Herbert (12-5-1) vs. Rolando Bedoya (14-3-0): Herbert via Decision
- (185 lbs.) Sedriques Dumas (9-2-0) vs. Denis Tiuliulin (10-9-0, 1NC): Dumas via Submission R2
Stay tuned for more UFC news and updates via RespectMyRegion
