The next UFC men’s bantamweight title challenger may be decided on Saturday at the Etihad Arena in Abu Dhabi, United Arab Emirates.
In the main event of UFC on ABC, No. 2-ranked Cory Sandhagen will face the undefeated Umar Nurmagomedov. The latter is the cousin of former UFC lightweight champion and all-time great Khabib Nurmagomedov.
The important 135-pound battle will top off one of the best Fight Night cards of the year. Here is a look at the event’s viewing information.
Things get underway much earlier this weekend.
Main Card (ABC / ESPN+) – 3 pm ET
- Bantamweight: Cory Sandhagen vs. Umar Nurmagomedov
- Middleweight: Shara Magomedov vs. Michał Oleksiejczuk
- Bantamweight: Marlon Vera vs. Deiveson Figueiredo
- Welterweight: Tony Ferguson vs. Michael Chiesa
- Women’s Strawweight: Mackenzie Dern vs. Loopy Godinez
- Lightweight: Joel Álvarez vs. Elves Brenner
Preliminary Card (ESPN2 / ESPN+) – Noon ET
- Light Heavyweight: Alonzo Menifield vs. Azamat Murzakanov
- Lightweight: Mohammad Yahya vs. Kauê Fernandes
- Heavyweight: Shamil Gaziev vs. Don’Tale Mayes
- Lightweight: Guram Kutateladze vs. Jordan Vucenic
- Women’s Strawweight: Victoria Dudakova vs. Sam Hughes
- Lightweight: Jai Herbert vs. Rolando Bedoya
- Middleweight: Sedriques Dumas vs. Denis Tiuliulin
Sandhagen comes into the fight on a three-fight winning streak. In his last two fights, he’s won decisions over Rob Font and Marlon Vera. In September 2022, Sandhagen stopped Song Yadong because of a nasty cut.
A fourth win in a row would probably lead to a title shot for Sandhagen.
Nurmagomedov comes into the fight undefeated at 17-0. However, Sandhagen represents a significant step up for the 28-year-old Russian. Nurmagomedov has proven capable of winning in the Octagon in every way.
His first two wins with the UFC came via submission, but in January 2023, Nurmagomedov scored a scintillating first-round KO over Raoni Barcelos, which raised his stock even more.
In September, Champion Sean O’Malley will defend his title against Merab Dvalishvili at Noche UFC at the Las Vegas Sphere. Barring a result that leads to an immediate rematch, the winner of Sandhagen-Nurmagomedov could be next up for the man who holds the title after Noche UFC.
Shara Magomedov will get his biggest test in the co-main event when he faces Michał Oleksiejczuk. Magomedov has the style and look of a future star, but he’s got to be able to battle past opponents like Oleksiejczuk if he hopes to ascend into the middleweight rankings.
Also, Vera returns to the Octagon for another high-stakes bantamweight fight. Deiveson Figueiredo will attempt to stay undefeated at 135 pounds to extend Vera’s losing streak. Most recently, Vera unsuccessfully challenged for the title in March but was soundly beaten by O’Malley in a highly anticipated rematch.
Tony Ferguson will face Michael Chiesa in an attempt to avoid extending the longest losing streak in UFC history. Ferguson has lost an unbelievable seven consecutive fights, and you have to wonder if eight would be enough.
Stay tuned for more fight week coverage as we move toward the action in Abu Dhabi.
