The UFC has officially rebooked the long-awaited bantamweight showdown between Cory Sandhagen and Umar Nurmagomedov. This exciting 135-pound battle is set to take center stage at the upcoming UFC Fight Night on August 3rd, which will be held at the iconic Etihad Arena in Abu Dhabi. After initially being scheduled to face off in Nashville a year ago, Nurmagomedov was unfortunately sidelined due to injury. However, both fighters have since secured impressive victories in other matchups, setting the stage for this highly anticipated bout.
Cory Sandhagen, with a professional record of 17-4, is on the cusp of a title shot following three consecutive wins. Hailing from Colorado, Sandhagen has proven himself as a fierce contender in the bantamweight division. Despite falling short in a title bid against Petr Yan in 2021, his only losses in the UFC have come against former champions such as Yan, TJ Dillashaw, and Aljamain Sterling. On the other hand, Umar Nurmagomedov remains undefeated at 17-0 and is regarded as one of the most promising prospects in MMA. The 28-year-old, who happens to be the cousin of the legendary Khabib Nurmagomedov, boasts an impressive UFC record of 5-0 with three finishes.
Sandhagen and Nurmagomedov currently hold the No. 2 and No. 9 rankings in the UFC’s bantamweight division, respectively. The UFC’s decision to rebook this matchup highlights the significance of this fight for both fighters’ careers. Moreover, Abu Dhabi has become a key destination for the UFC since 2019, with the organization utilizing the region extensively during the challenging times of the COVID-19 pandemic. Notably, several members of the Nurmagomedov camp, including Khabib and current lightweight champion Islam Makhachev, have headlined events in Abu Dhabi, solidifying the region’s reputation as a premier location for top-tier MMA action.
The upcoming clash between Sandhagen and Nurmagomedov is set to be a thrilling showdown between two exceptional talents in the bantamweight division. As both fighters look to make their mark and ascend the ranks towards a title shot, fans can expect a high-stakes battle filled with excitement and anticipation. Stay tuned for what promises to be an unforgettable night of MMA action in Abu Dhabi.
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