The UFC is pulling out all the stops for its highly-anticipated return to the Abu Dhabi arena. In a massive bantamweight showdown with title implications, the promotion has announced an epic grudge match between unbeaten Russian phenom Umar Nurmagomedov and perennial contender Cory Sandhagen.
This potential bantamweight title eliminator is set to headline the UFC’s 19th event in the United Arab Emirates capital on August 3rd. The stakes could not be higher, with the winner likely securing the next shot at Sean O’Malley’s bantamweight championship.
Despite rumblings of O’Malley defending his title against Merab Dvalishvili in September, Nurmagomedov vs Sandhagen has taken on even greater significance with the brash champion dismissing that matchup. All signs point to this summer showdown crowning the next in line for bantamweight gold.
In one corner is the surging Nurmagomedov, the 28-year-old cousin of former UFC lightweight king Khabib Nurmagomedov. Umar has been unstoppable since joining the UFC roster, racking up an unblemished 16-0 professional record. Most recently, he dominated newcomer Bekzat Almakhan with a lopsided unanimous decision win.
However, the Dagestani wrecking ball has yet to face a ranked opponent, making the battle-tested Sandhagen a huge step up in competition. Sandhagen currently sits at #2 in the official UFC bantamweight rankings and has been knocking on the door of a title shot for years.
In his last outing in August 2022, “The Sandman” showed his championship mettle by scoring a gritty unanimous decision over Rob Font on short notice. Sandhagen was initially scheduled to face Nurmagomedov in that main event, but the unbeaten Russian withdrew due to injury.
Now the two are finally set to settle theirScore after over a year of mounting anticipation. For Nurmagomedov, it’s a chance to prove his elite credentials against an established top contender. For Sandhagen, it’s potentially his last opportunity to secure a long-awaited UFC title shot.
When they finally clash in the Abu Dhabi octagon, fans can expect a stylistic clash for the ages. Nurmagomedov’s relentless pressure and wrestling will be put to the ultimate test against Sandhagen’s slick boxing and creative striking arsenal.
Abu Dhabi has played host to many memorable UFC fights over the years, including Islam Makhachev’s recent lightweight title defense against Alexander Volkanovski at UFC 294. This summer’s Nurmagomedov vs Sandhagen event has all the makings of another classic Abu Dhabi war.
As two of the bantamweight division’s very best prepare to leave it all in the octagon, the combat sports world will be watching intently. Whichever man has his hand raised after this explosive headliner will have earned the right to call himself the undisputed number one contender.
When Umar Nurmagomedov and Cory Sandhagen finally collide in the UAE, expect furious action from the opening bell to the final horn. In the stacked bantamweight division, there are no easy fights remaining on the path to a UFC title shot. But on August 3rd, one man will emerge from the crucible victorious and vastly closer to capturing UFC gold.
