Abu Dhabi and the UFC have been synonymous with bringing live entertainment back since the pandemic that struck worldwide in 2020, now returning with the promotion’s 19th card in the country on Saturday in UFC On ABC: Sandhagen vs Nurmagomedov.
Main Event
The main event carries bantamweight title implications for whoever can walk away victorious in #3 ranked bantamweight Sandhagen (17-4, 10-3 in the UFC) and Nurmagomedov (17-0, 5-0 in the UFC ). In a matchup that was previously set up in August of 2023, the matchup will be Sandhagen’s first of the 2024 year and Umar Nurmagomedov’s second bout of 2024. The bout would be Nurmagomedov’s first time taking multiple matchups in the UFC calendar year, following a unanimous decision win over Bezkat Almakhan (11-1) in March at UFC Fight Night: Rozenstruik vs. Gaziev
Co-Main Event
In a fan-favorite co-main event for local UAE MMA fans, undefeated middleweight phenom Sharabutdin Magomedov (13-0, 2-0 in the UFC) will look to continue to bolster his name up the UFC rankings as he takes on Michał Oleksiejczuk (19-8 & 1 NC, 7-6 with 1 NC in the UFC). In a matchup that could be the third loss in a row for Oleksiejczuk in the promotion, this fight could be crucial for both fighters, with a multitude of factors at stake.
Prelims
Sedriques Dumas def. Denis Tiuliulin via Unanimous Decision (30-27, 29-28, 29-28)
Jai Herbert def. Rolando Bedoya via Unanimous Decision (30-27, 30-27, 29-28)
Sam Hughes def. Victoria Dudakova via Split Decision (29-28, 29-28, 27-30)
Guram Kutateladze def. Jordan Vucenic via Unanimous Decision (29-28, 29-28, 29-28)
Heavyweight: Shamil Gaziev def. Don’Tale Mayes via Unanimous Decision (30-27, 30-27, 30-27)
Lightweight: Kauê Fernandes def. Mohammad Yahya via first-round TKO (4:45)
Light Heavyweight: #14 Azamat Murzakanov def. Alonzo Menifield via second-round knockout (3:18)
Main Card
Lightweight: Joel Álvarez def. Elves Brenner via third-round TKO (3:36)
Womens Strawweight: #7 Mackenzie Dern def. #10Loopy Godinez via unanimous decision (29-28 on all three scorecards)
Welterweight: Michael Chiesa def. Tony Ferguson via first-round rear-naked choke (3:44)
Bantamweight: #6 Deveison Figueiredo def. #4 Marlon Vera via unanimous decision (30-27, 29-28, 29-28)
Middleweight: Sharabutdin Magomedov def. Michal Olekjsiejczuk via unanimous decision (30-27, 30-27 & 29-28)
Bantamweight: #10 Umar Nurmagomedov def. #2 Cory Sandhagen via unanimous decision (50-45, 49-46 & 49-46)
