UFC Abu Dhabi Start Time, Full Fight Details

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Ultimate Fighting Championship (UFC) is back at it again with a special “Fight Night”-themed event as UFC Abu Dhabi is set to go down later TODAY (Sat., Aug. 3, 2024) inside Etihad Arena — a.k.a. “Fight Island” — in Abu Dhabi, United Arab Emirates. Headlining the ESPN+-streamed event (simulcast on ABC in the United States) is a Bantamweight fight between Cory Sandhagen vs. Umar Nurmagomedov. In the co-main event, Shara Magomedov will battle Michal Oleksiejczuk in a Middleweight affair.

What’s Hot:

The Nurmagomedov clan is still putting in massive work in the mixed martial arts (MMA) scene — including this honorary member — and Umar is the next man up to get some shine. He is currently undefeated (17-0), including being perfect (5-0) inside the Octagon with three finishes. His big advantage — as is customary with Khabib-trained fighters — is his suffocating grappling. Currently ranked No. 10 in the division, he looks to take a huge leap in the rankings by taking out the the No. 2-seeded fighter in Sandhagen.

Speaking of which, “The Sandman” currently finds himself on a three-fight win streak, a nice turnaround after suffering back to back losses to T.J. Dillashaw and Petr Yan, which was for the interim 135-pound strap. Known as the most unassuming fighter in the game, Sandhagen has shown to be as dangerous as anyone with his all-around skill-set, which has helped him collect several highlight reel knockouts (like this one), so keeping it on the feet will be his best course to victory. Once it gets to the ground, Nurmagomedov gets in full control and doesn’t let up. It’s not to say that Sandhagen is a novice — he has three submissions — but Umar, like the rest of his team, are very heavy once on top and they are hard to get out from under. It’s a great stylistic matchup, and the winner here makes a huge leap toward the title.

What’s Not:

Tony Ferguson has lost his last seven fights, while Michael Chiesa is on a three-fight losing streak. Still, UFC matchmakers felt a spot on the main card was fitting for the struggling veterans. For my money, I would have them headlining the undercard, instead. But, apparently it’s about “name value” as opposed to, “what have you done for me lately?”

Nevertheless, this could very well be the last fight for “El Cucuy” — or not — so perhaps it’s a decent way of sending him out of the promotion (assuming he loses). Chiesa, though, hasn’t had a win in three years, and if he loses his fourth straight he could also decide he prefers his analyst job full-time and hang up the gloves for good. Chiesa is the favorite here because, let’s face it, Ferguson has looked like a shell of his former self for some time now and should've have retired long ago.

Original Card Vs. Actual Card:

Nick Diaz was set to face off against Vicente Luque in a 170-pound title bout before the Stockton slugger was forced out of the card as a result of visa-related issues. In turn, no replacement was found for Luque and the fight was postponed.

Injuries:

A Lightweight fight between Abdul-Kareem Al-Selwady vs. Guram Kutateladze was set to go down before Al-Selwady withdrew because of an undisclosed injury and replaced by promotional newcomer, Jordan Vucenic. Also, a Flyweight showdown between Azat Maksum and C.J. Vergara was canceled after Maksum withdrew from the fight with an injury.

New Blood:

Vucenic will make his UFC debut against Kutateladze in the headlining fight of the “Prelims.” The former Cage Warriors Featherweight champion has a record of 9-1 with the promotion, which includes his current four-fight win streak, and is now out to mirror the same success under UFC’s banner. His first test will come against Kutateladze, who currently finds himself on a two-fight losing streak, bringing his record to 1-2 inside the Octagon.

How The ‘Prelims’ Look:

Undefeated sensation, Victoria Dudakova, will attempt to improve her overall record to 9-0 and win her third fight under UFC’s umbrella. The 25-year-old striker has impressed so far and could find herself with a ranking spot sooner rather than later if she keeps on her winning attack. Standing in her way is Sam Hughes, who wants to bounce back after getting schooled by Yazmin Jauregui in her previous fight.

Shamil Gaziev is not used to losing, so when he suffered the first defeat of his MMA career at the hands of Jairzinho Rozenstruik, it was tough for him. Hopefully, he improved his cardio this time around because if he doesn’t get a finish early, he could very well find himself struggling once again. He will battle Don’Tale Mayes, who is riding high after getting back on track with a win over Caio Machado earlier this year.

Mohammad Yahya and Kaue Fernandes both lost their UFC debuts to Trevor Peek and Marc Diakiese, respectively, and now one man will go down 0-2 inside the Octagon when they collide in a must-win fight for both of them in the Lightweight division.

Azamat Murzakanov is enjoying a highly-impressive 13-0 record, which includes going 3-0 under UFC’s banner. He will take on his hardest test to date, however, when he goes toe-to-toe with hard-hitting Light Heavyweight, Alonzo Menifield, who is out to get back on track after having his three-year, five-fight unbeaten streak snapped by Carlos Ulberg.

Rolando Bedoya could also find himself on the chopping block if he loses his third straight fight inside the Octagon. In his first two tries with the promotion, Bedoya lost to Kalinn Williams and Kenan Song. He will look to register his first win with the promotion when he battles Jai Herbert, who could uses a win since he only has a record of 2-4-1 in seven fights and is coming off a loss to Fares Ziam.

Who Needs A Win Badly:

Aside from Ferguson and Chiesa needing wins as discussed earlier, Denis Tiuliulin finds himself in desperate need of a victory since he is currently on a three-fight losing streak — all stoppage defeats — including two in the first round. Overall, he is just 1-4 inside the Octagon, so trying to get a win over Sedriques Dumas in the opening fight of the night. Dumas is coming off a loss to Nursulton Ruziboev, bringing him to an even 2-2 record under UFC’s banner.

Interest Level: 7/10

Co-headlining the event is Magomedov, who is making a fairly-quick turnaround to face Oleksiejczuk in a 185-pound scrap. Magomedov defeated Antonio Trocoli a little more than one month ago to improve to 13-0 (2-0 UFC). The promotion is hoping the hype continues to be real for “Bullet,” so that’s probably the reason it booked him against Oleksiejczuk, who is on a two-fight losing streak and 1-3 overall in his last four fights. He does have a huge opportunity to not only get back on track, but to upset an up-and-coming future star.

One of my personal favorite fights on the card is the Bantamweight showdown between Marlon Vera and former Flyweight champion, Deiveson Figueiredo. Vera came up short in his bid to dethrone Sean O’Malley at UFC 299 (watch highlights), and wants to build some momentum to earn his way back to a title fight. A win over “Daico” will help his cause, but that is easier said than done. Speaking of which, Figueiredo moved up to the 135-pound division in late 2023, and went on two win back-to-back fights against Rob Font and Cody Garbrandt, allowing him to earn the No. 6 spot in the division. Looking to crash the Top 5 — and possibly a title shot — “Daico” can do that if he gets a win over Vera, who is as scrappy as they come. This is my pick for “Fight of the Night.”

Mackenzie Dern has seen better days. Like Michelle Waterson, Dern is slowly becoming that fighter who, while marketable, just cannot seem to get over the hump. She is currently on a two-fight losing streak and is just 1-3 in her last three fights. I don’t foresee the promotion parting ways with her even is she loses her next two, or three, but boy does she need a win badly. It will be hard to come by, though. That’s because Loopy Godinez is as scrappy as they come. She had her four-fight win streak snapped by Virna Jandiroba, so she is hungry for a win.

This will be a fun fight ... and one I don’t think favors Dern.

Kicking off the main card is an intriguing Lightweight fight between Joel Alvarez vs. Elves Brener. Alvares got back into the win column with a submission win over Marc Diakiese, bringing him to 5-1 over his last six fights with the promotion. As for Brener, his is also 5-1 in his last six, but suffered the first loss of his UFC career in his previous outing at the hands of Myktybek Orolbai.

Enjoy the fights!

Full UFC Abu Dhabi Fight Card:

UFC Abu Dhabi Main Event On ABC/ESPN+:

135 lbs.: Cory Sandhagen vs. Umar Nurmagomedov

UFC Abu Dhabi Main Card On ABC/ESPN+ (3 p.m. ET):

170 lbs.: Nick Diaz vs. Vicente Luque — POSTPONED (details here)
185 lbs.: Shara Magomedov vs. Michał Oleksiejczuk
135 lbs.: Marlon Vera vs. Deiveson Figueiredo
170 lbs.: Tony Ferguson vs. Michael Chiesa
115 lbs.: Mackenzie Dern vs. Loopy Godinez
155 lbs.: Joel Alvarez vs. Elves Brener

UFC Abu Dhabi ‘Prelims’ Card on ESPN2/ESPN+ (12 p.m. ET):

155 lbs.: Guram Kutateladze vs. Jordan Vucenic
205 lbs.: Alonzo Menifield vs. Azamat Murzakanov
115 lbs.: Victoria Dudakova vs. Sam Hughes
155 lbs.: Mohammad Yahya vs. Kaue Fernandes
265 lbs.: Shamil Gaziev vs. Don’Tale Mayes
155 lbs.: Jai Herbert vs. Rolando Bedoya
185 lbs.: Sedriques Dumas vs. Denis Tiuliulin

*Fight card, bout order and number of fights remain subject to change.*

Remember that MMAmania.com will deliver LIVE round-by-round, blow-by-blow coverage of the entire UFC Abu Dhabi fight card right here, starting with the ESPN/ESPN+ “Prelims” matches, which are scheduled to begin at 12 p.m. ET, then the remaining main card balance on ABC/ESPN (simulcast on ESPN+) at 3 p.m. ET.

To check out the latest and greatest UFC Abu Dhabi: “Sandhagen vs. Umar” news and notes be sure to hit up our comprehensive event archive right here.