The UFC returns to Abu Dhabi for their annual event on August 3rd, with a huge bantamweight title eliminator fight announced for the main event.
This Monday, UFC officials announced the re-booking of Cory Sandhagen vs Umar Nurmagomedov, with the bout scheduled to main event their return to Abu Dhabi.
The August 3rd event will mark the 19th time the promotion has touched down in Abu Dhabi, with the last time being back in October for UFC 294 when Islam Makhachev knocked out Alexander Volkanovski.
A possible shake-up in the bantamweight division
Undefeated UFC bantamweight, Umar Nurmagomedov, has been struggling to find a top contender at 135lbs to fight up the rankings.
The 28-year-old’s last fight came against promotional newcomer, Bekzat Almakhan, with the Russian picking up a dominant unanimous decision victory after getting dropped in the first round.
Cory Sandhagen on the other hand, was unfortunate to miss out on a title shot recently, after Marlon Vera was favored over him due to his history with the champion, Sean O’Malley.
Nurmagomedov and Sandhagen were scheduled to fight in the main event of a Fight Night in August last year, but the Russian prospect withdrew from the fight due to a shoulder injury.
The number two-ranked bantamweight decided to stay on the card and instead took on Rob Font on late notice. ‘The Sandman’ went on to dominate Font, picking up a unanimous decision victory.
Despite being ranked ninth in the 135lb rankings, Nurmagomedov has yet to beat a ranked opponent, with Sandhagen being the only ranked fighter to agree to fight him.
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With Merab Dvalishvili likely next to fight for the title – which he is hoping can take place in September at UFC 306 – the winner of this fight would likely secure the next title shot.
Sean O’Malley denies fight talks for UFC 306 title defense
This past weekend talking to UFC India, Merab ‘The Machine’ claimed that his rumored fight with ‘Suga’ Sean has been confirmed to take place at UFC 306, in the Sphere.
Despite that, the champion took to social media to shut down the claims, “Merab at the Sphere is not targeted as far as I know. I’ve been pushing for that but the UFC hasn’t said anything.”
Although the UFC has yet to announce the main event for their inaugural event at the Sphere in Las Vegas, Sean O’Malley is a likely contender because of his name value, and the September date would align him with the winner of Sandhagen vs Nurmagomedov.