Cory Sandhagen is entering a massive main event showdown with the undefeated Umar Nurmagomedov tomorrow afternoon (Sat., Aug. 3, 2024) at UFC Abu Dhabi live on ABC and ESPN+ from inside Etihad Arena in Abu Dhabi, UAE, but “Sandman” is surprisingly a massive betting underdog.
While there is a lot of hype surrounding Nurmagomedov given his well-rounded skillset and namesake, Sandhagen has been fighting the best bantamweights in the world over the past four years. The No. 2-ranked contender has only lost to former UFC champions Aljamain Sterling, Petr Yan, and T.J. Dillashaw. Two of those losses could have gone the other way as well.
Needless to say, Sandhagen is being a bit disrespected heading into his matchup with Nurmagomedov this weekend and he doesn’t understand why.
“Umar is a unique fighter,” said Sandhagen during UFC Abu Dhabi’s media day (via MMA Junkie). “Stylistically, he’s a really tough fight. I had to work in a lot of overtime hours in order to make sure I was prepared for this fight. But the rankings, him coming up, the odds, the bettors, I couldn’t honestly give a s—t less.
“I’m focused on what I’m going to do Saturday, and that’s executing underneath the lights, and I can’t wait for that peace because it’s weird that people are counting me out for this one, but I just can’t wait to prove all those people wrong.”
Luckily, Sandhagen’s confidence is at an all-time high heading into UFC Abu Dhabi. Having won his last three trips to the Octagon the perennial contender is excited to stake his claim for the next UFC bantamweight title shot. Sandhagen is happy to showcase his improved wrestling and takedown defense in order to do so.
“No one’s seen me defensively wrestle ever almost except the situation with Sterling,” Sandhagen said. “That’s what we’ll call that loss, a situation. The situation with Sterling where – and that was what, four years ago? I was two years into my career. I’m six, seven years into my career now and still no one’s really seen it.
“So, just another element that I get to show to people, and man, I’m excited for this one just to show how great I am because Umar is going to bring out the best in me, and he already has in this camp, and I’m pumped for it. I can’t wait to watch myself fight.”
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 ESPN2/ESPN+ preliminary card matchups, which are scheduled to begin at 12 p.m. ET, followed by the remaining main card balance on ABC/ESPN+ at 3 p.m. ET.
To check out the latest and greatest UFC Abu Dhabi news and notes be sure to hit up our comprehensive event archives here, here, and here. For the updated and finalized “Sandhagen vs. Nurmagomedov” fight card and ABC/ESPN+ lineup click here.