With the UFC Abu Dhabi early (and official) weigh ins already in the books, the promotion will send all 26 fighters back to the stage for the ceremonial festivities, popping off LIVE at 10 a.m. ET in the embedded video above. This marks the final stop before the “Sandhagen vs. Nurmagomedov” MMA event on ABC, ESPN2 and ESPN+ tomorrow (Sat., Aug. 3, 2024) at Etihad Arena on “Fight Island” in Abu Dhabi, UAE.
Get complete UFC Abu Dhabi early weigh-in results right here.
“Umar is a unique fighter,” Sandhagen told reporters at the UFC Abu Dhabi media day. “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 sh*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.”
“No one’s seen me defensively wrestle ever almost except the situation with (Aljamain) Sterling,” Sandhagen continued. “That’s what we’ll call that loss, a situation. The situation with Sterling — 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.