UFC Fight Night: Cory Sandhagen vs. Umar Nurmagomedov Results & Highlights (12 PM ET)

The MMA leader stages its latest UFC Fight Night event on Saturday, and MMA News has you covered with all the action. After taking the Octagon back to Manchester in England for a pay-per-view card last weekend, the promotion’s return to the United Arab Emirates sees the Etihad Arena in Abu Dhabi play host to a […]

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The MMA leader stages its latest UFC Fight Night event on Saturday, and MMA News has you covered with all the action.

After taking the Octagon back to Manchester in England for a pay-per-view card last weekend, the promotion’s return to the United Arab Emirates sees the Etihad Arena in Abu Dhabi play host to a 13-fight lineup.

In the main attraction, undefeated bantamweight up-and-comer Umar Nurmagomedov will look to extend his perfect record en route to a first shot at UFC gold. Tasked with stalling his rise is Cory Sandhagen, who has worked his way back toward the undisputed belt after falling short of the interim title against Petr Yan back in 2021.

All eyes are also on the co-headliner, which sees another unbeaten Russian in Sharabutdin Magomedov in action as he faces Micha? Oleksiejczuk on short notice, as well as a second crucial contest at 135 pounds between recent title challenger Marlon Vera and former flyweight kingpin Deiveson Figueiredo.

Before those matchups, the likes of ex-lightweight interim title contender Tony Ferguson, strawweight submission specialist Mackenzie Dern, and light heavyweight powerhouse Alonzo Menifield will all have their next assignments inside the Octagon.

Ahead of the event, see below for the full card and broadcast information, and be sure to check back later for the live results and highlights!

UFC Fight Night: Sandhagen vs. Nurmagomedov Results & Highlights

Main Card (3 PM ET, ABC/ESPN+):

  • Bantamweight Main Event: Cory Sandhagen vs. Umar Nurmagomedov
  • Middleweight Co-Main Event: Sharabutdin Magomedov vs. Micha? Oleksiejczuk
  • Bantamweight: Marlon Vera vs. Deiveson Figueiredo
  • Welterweight: Tony Ferguson vs. Michael Chiesa
  • Women’s Strawweight: Mackenzie Dern vs. Loopy Godinez
  • Lightweight: Joel Álvarez vs. Elves Brener

Preliminary Card (12 PM ET, ESPN2/ESPN+):

  • Light Heavyweight: Azamat Murzakanov vs. Alonzo Menifield
  • Lightweight: Mohammad Yahya vs. Kaue Fernandes
  • Heavyweight: Shamil Gaziev vs. Don’Tale Mayes
  • Lightweight: Guram Kutateladze vs. Jordan Vucenic
  • Women’s Strawweight: Victoria Dudakova vs. Sam Hughes
  • Lightweight: Jai Herbert vs. Rolando Berdoya
  • Middleweight: Sedriques Dumas vs. Denis Tiuliulin

Continue Reading UFC Fight Night: Cory Sandhagen vs. Umar Nurmagomedov Results & Highlights (12 PM ET) at MMA News.

UFC Fight Night Results & Highlights: Umar Nurmagomedov Outlasts Cory Sandhagen

The MMA leader staged its latest UFC Fight Night event on Saturday, and MMA News has you covered with all the action. After taking the Octagon back to Manchester in England for a pay-per-view card last weekend, the promotion’s return to the United Arab Emirates saw the Etihad Arena in Abu Dhabi play host to a […]

Continue Reading UFC Fight Night Results & Highlights: Umar Nurmagomedov Outlasts Cory Sandhagen at MMA News.

The MMA leader staged its latest UFC Fight Night event on Saturday, and MMA News has you covered with all the action.

After taking the Octagon back to Manchester in England for a pay-per-view card last weekend, the promotion’s return to the United Arab Emirates saw the Etihad Arena in Abu Dhabi play host to a 13-fight lineup.

In the main attraction, undefeated bantamweight up-and-comer Umar Nurmagomedov extended his perfect record en route to a potential first shot at UFC gold. Unsuccessful in his attempt to stall the Russian’s rise was Cory Sandhagen, who fell on the wrong side of three lopsided scorecards.

All eyes were also on the co-headliner, which saw another unbeaten Russian in Sharabutdin Magomedov in action as he faced Micha? Oleksiejczuk on short notice, as well as a second crucial contest at 135 pounds between recent title challenger Marlon Vera and former flyweight kingpin Deiveson Figueiredo.

Before those matchups, the likes of ex-lightweight interim title contender Tony Ferguson, strawweight submission specialist Mackenzie Dern, and light heavyweight powerhouse Alonzo Menifield all had their next assignments inside the Octagon.

With the event concluded, see below for the full results, followed by all the highlights!

UFC Fight Night: Sandhagen vs. Nurmagomedov Results & Highlights

Main Card:

  • Bantamweight Main Event: Umar Nurmagomedov def. Cory Sandhagen via unanimous decision (50-45, 49-46, 49-46)
  • Middleweight Co-Main Event: Sharabutdin Magomedov def. Micha? Oleksiejczuk via unanimous decision (30-27, 30-27, 29-28)
  • Bantamweight: Deiveson Figueiredo def. Marlon Vera via unanimous decision (29-28, 29-28, 30-27)
  • Welterweight: Michael Chiesa def. Tony Ferguson via submission (rear-naked choke): R1, 3:44
  • Women’s Strawweight: Mackenzie Dern def. Loopy Godinez via unanimous decision (29-28, 29-28, 29-28)
  • Lightweight: Joel Álvarez def. Elves Brener via TKO (knees): R3, 3:36

Preliminary Card:

  • Light Heavyweight: Azamat Murzakanov def. Alonzo Menifield via KO (punches): R2, 3:18
  • Lightweight: Kaue Fernandes def. Mohammad Yahya via TKO (punches): R1, 4:45
  • Heavyweight: Shamil Gaziev def. Don’Tale Mayes via unanimous decision (30-27, 30-27, 30-27)
  • Lightweight: Guram Kutateladze def. Jordan Vucenic via unanimous decision (29-28, 29-28, 29-28)
  • Women’s Strawweight: Sam Hughes def. Victoria Dudakova via split decision (29-28, 27-30, 29-28)
  • Lightweight: Jai Herbert def. Rolando Berdoya via unanimous decision (30-27, 30-27, 29-28)
  • Middleweight: Sedriques Dumas def. Denis Tiuliulin via unanimous decision (29-28, 29-28, 30-27)

Sedriques Dumas Def. Denis Tiuliulin

Jai Herbert Def. Rolando Berdoya

Sam Hughes Def. Victoria Dudakova

Guram Kutateladze Def. Jordan Vucenic

Shamil Gaziev Def. Don’Tale Mayes

Kaue Fernandes Def. Mohammad Yahya

Azamat Murzakanov Def. Alonzo Menifield

Joel Álvarez Def. Elves Brener

Mackenzie Dern Def. Loopy Godinez

Michael Chiesa Def. Tony Ferguson

Deiveson Figueiredo Def. Marlon Vera

Sharabutdin Magomedov Def. Micha? Oleksiejczuk

Umar Nurmagomedov Def. Cory Sandhagen

Continue Reading UFC Fight Night Results & Highlights: Umar Nurmagomedov Outlasts Cory Sandhagen at MMA News.

UFC Fight Night: Cory Sandhagen vs. Umar Nurmagomedov Weigh-In Results

UFC Fight Night: Cory Sandhagen vs. Umar Nurmagomedov takes place on Saturday, and MMA News is here to bring you the official weigh-in results! After staging its return to Manchester, England, for the UFC 304 pay-per-view last weekend, MMA’s leading promotion has remained on the road for a card inside the Etihad Arena in Abu […]

Continue Reading UFC Fight Night: Cory Sandhagen vs. Umar Nurmagomedov Weigh-In Results at MMA News.

UFC Fight Night: Cory Sandhagen vs. Umar Nurmagomedov takes place on Saturday, and MMA News is here to bring you the official weigh-in results!

After staging its return to Manchester, England, for the UFC 304 pay-per-view last weekend, MMA’s leading promotion has remained on the road for a card inside the Etihad Arena in Abu Dhabi.

Before returning to the venue for its annual numbered event this October, the UFC will put on a Fight Night event topped by elite bantamweight contenders Cory Sandhagen and Umar Nurmagomedov. The former interim title challenger and his undefeated Russian opponent will be looking to stake their claims for a shot at the winner of Sean O’Malley vs. Merab Dvalishvili.

Saturday’s co-headliner, meanwhile, will see another unbeaten name back in action as Sharabutdin Magomedov looks to make it three from three in the UFC at the expense of Micha? Oleksiejczuk.

Before that, a second crucial contest at 135 pounds will go down. Making the walk for the first time since his defeat to O’Malley in their UFC 299 title fight, Marlon Vera will look to revive his championship ambitions before stalling the two-weight goals of ex-flyweight kingpin Deiveson Figueiredo.

Elsewhere on the lineup, the likes of former interim lightweight champion Tony Ferguson and strawweight submission specialist Mackenzie Dern are among those set to be in action.

UFC Fight Night: Sandhagen vs. Nurmagomedov Weigh-In Results

UFC Fight Night: Sandhagen vs. Nurmagomedov takes place on Saturday, August 3, at the Etihad Arena in Abu Dhabi, United Arab Emirates. The main card begins at 3 p.m. ET/12 p.m. PT, with the preliminary card starting at 12 p.m. ET/9 a.m. PT.

The weigh-ins took place early Friday morning. See the full results below!

Main Card:

  • Bantamweight Main Event: Cory Sandhagen (136lbs) vs. Umar Nurmagomedov (135lbs)
  • Middleweight Co-Main Event: Sharabutdin Magomedov (186lbs) vs. Micha? Oleksiejczuk (185lbs)
  • Bantamweight: Marlon Vera (136lbs) vs. Deiveson Figueiredo (135.5lbs)
  • Welterweight: Tony Ferguson (170lbs) vs. Michael Chiesa (170lbs)
  • Women’s Strawweight: Mackenzie Dern (115lbs) vs. Loopy Godinez (115.5lbs)
  • Lightweight: Joel Álvarez (155.5lbs) vs. Elves Brener (155lbs)

Preliminary Card:

  • Light Heavyweight: Azamat Murzakanov (205lbs) vs. Alonzo Menifield (204lbs)
  • Lightweight: Mohammad Yahya (155lbs) vs. Kaue Fernandes (155.5lbs)
  • Heavyweight: Shamil Gaziev (262lbs) vs. Don’Tale Mayes (265lbs)
  • Lightweight: Guram Kutateladze (155lbs) vs. Jordan Vucenic (155lbs)
  • Women’s Strawweight: Victoria Dudakova (115.5lbs) vs. Sam Hughes (114lbs)
  • Lightweight: Jai Herbert (155.5lbs) vs. Rolando Berdoya (155lbs)
  • Middleweight: Sedriques Dumas (186lbs) vs. Denis Tiuliulin (185lbs)

Continue Reading UFC Fight Night: Cory Sandhagen vs. Umar Nurmagomedov Weigh-In Results at MMA News.

Ana and Loopy Godinez: The Power Sisters of the Olympics and UFC

Ana Godinez and Loopy GodinezAna and Loopy Godinez are set to have quite a week in combat sports. Ana Godinez is set to…

Ana Godinez and Loopy Godinez

Ana and Loopy Godinez are set to have quite a week in combat sports. Ana Godinez is set to wrestle in the Olympics while Loopy is booked against Mackenzie Dern in the UFC. One will be going for gold, while the other is rallying for a spot in the top rankings.

Ana and Loopy Godinez: The Power Sisters

The Godinez family moved from Mexico to Canada, running from the cartel, when they were younger and the sisters took up combat sports there. It started with rugby and judo and would eventually lead to wrestling.

Ana Godinez is one of the top female freestyle wrestlers in Canada. She has won two gold medals in the Pan Am Games and had other success elsewhere. At the age of 24, she will be representing Canada in the 62 kg freestyle wrestling category at the 2024 Paris Olympic Games. Eventually, she would like to compete in MMA.

Loopy Godinez began her martial arts journey with Judo and would eventually pick up Jiu Jitsu as well. Since making her professional debut in 2016, the Mexican-Canadian has put together a record of 12-4. Along the way, Loopy Godinez has defeated notable fighters such as Tabatha Ricci, Emily Ducote, and Cynthia Calvillo, among others. This weekend, live from Abu Dhabi, part of UFC Fight Night: Sandhagen vs. Nurmagomedov, Loopy Godinez will face fellow top-ten-ranked opponent Mackenzie Dern.

Ana and Loopy Godinez 2

Their third sister Karla Godinez is also an impressive freestyle wrestler. She has medaled in the Pan Am games and nearly qualified for the 2024 Olympics hosted in Paris, France.

In an interview with MMA Fighting, Loopy Godinez said:

“I think she’s really focusing on training, focusing on herself. Once I’m fighting and she’s competing, of course it’s nerve-racking and you feel nervous. You just try to focus on yourself, and once it’s time to get nervous, I’ll get nervous. But for now, I’m just really happy for her. She’s worked so hard … [My sisters are] way better wrestlers than I am. Now they can kick my ass. I’m so happy for them. You don’t see a full family of athletes and doing so good. I’m really proud of my family.”

On competing in the Olympics, representing Canada, Ana Godinez said:

“I was wrestling internationally and I [realized] I’ve only been wrestling for like five years at that point. I’m wrestling internationally and I never would have dreamed of this. When I first started wrestling, I didn’t believe I could win provincials (high school championships in Canada). It wasn’t an achievable goal for me, but I feel like I just tried to catch up. I played the catch-up game and I worked really, really hard with Karla and I was just super obsessed. I feel like I have an addictive personality, so I was super obsessed, I would watch video all the time, I would be in the gym and be on the mats for way too long. That caught me up.”

‘Dern Is All Gas, No Breaks’ – Fans React After Mackenzie Dern Bounces Back Against Loopy Godinez At UFC Fight Night Abu Dhabi

After a couple of fights down that earned her pretty heavy criticism, Mackenzie Dern appeared to bounce back at UFC Fight Night Abu Dhabi, earning a unanimous decision win over Loopy Godinez. The grappling prowess of Dern was on full display in the first round, nearly locking in an armbar attempt that appeared it’d be […]

Continue Reading ‘Dern Is All Gas, No Breaks’ – Fans React After Mackenzie Dern Bounces Back Against Loopy Godinez At UFC Fight Night Abu Dhabi at MMA News.

After a couple of fights down that earned her pretty heavy criticism, Mackenzie Dern appeared to bounce back at UFC Fight Night Abu Dhabi, earning a unanimous decision win over Loopy Godinez.

The grappling prowess of Dern was on full display in the first round, nearly locking in an armbar attempt that appeared it’d be tight and could have snapped Godinez’s arm. The Mexican, however, battled back in the second round, with the Brazilian jiu-jitsu specialist’s lack of striking defense, which has earned her the previously mentioned criticism, rearing its head again.

The third round was closely contested, with Dern landing stronger strikes — though some may feel Godinez landed cleaner ones — and landing another takedown.

Ultimately, Dern took the decision with 29-28 scores on all three judges’ scorecards.

Mackenzie Dern Gets Nod In Close Battle With Loopy Godinez At UFC Fight Night Abu Dhabi

The result marks Dern’s first win in just over a year after back-to-back troubling performances against Jéssica Andrade and Amanda Lemos.

Godinez, meanwhile, has now lost back-to-back fights herself after a four-fight win streak.

Continue Reading ‘Dern Is All Gas, No Breaks’ – Fans React After Mackenzie Dern Bounces Back Against Loopy Godinez At UFC Fight Night Abu Dhabi at MMA News.

UFC Fight Night Abu Dhabi Odds: Current Favorites For Sandhagen vs. Nurmagomedov, Vera vs. Figueiredo, Ferguson vs. Chiesa, & More

UFC Fight Night: Sandhagen vs. Nurmagomedov is almost upon us, and MMA News is here to keep you updated with the current odds for Saturday’s lineup. The upcoming event takes place on Saturday, August 3, at the Etihad Arena in Abu Dhabi, United Arab Emirates. The main card begins at 3 PM ET/12 PM PT, […]

Continue Reading UFC Fight Night Abu Dhabi Odds: Current Favorites For Sandhagen vs. Nurmagomedov, Vera vs. Figueiredo, Ferguson vs. Chiesa, & More at MMA News.

UFC Fight Night: Sandhagen vs. Nurmagomedov is almost upon us, and MMA News is here to keep you updated with the current odds for Saturday’s lineup.

The upcoming event takes place on Saturday, August 3, at the Etihad Arena in Abu Dhabi, United Arab Emirates. The main card begins at 3 PM ET/12 PM PT, with the preliminary card starting at 12 PM ET/9 AM PT.

Topping the lineup will be former interim bantamweight title challenger Cory Sandhagen, who is tasked with getting the better of undefeated Dagestani Umar Nurmagomedov if he’s to successfully defend his spot in the top five and stake his claim for shot at the undisputed gold.

Before they go to battle, the co-main event will see another unbeaten name in action as Sharabutdin Magomedov meets Micha? Oleksiejczuk on short notice, while Marlon Vera looks to revive his bantamweight championship ambitions at the expense of ex-flyweight kingpin Deiveson Figueiredo.

Also set to make the walk on Saturday will be the likes of lightweight veteran Tony Ferguson, strawweight submission specialist Mackenzie Dern, and rising light heavyweight contender Azamat Murzakanov.

UFC Fight Night: Sandhagen vs. Nurmagomedov Betting Odds

Listed below are the latest betting odds for Saturday’s UFC Fight Night in Abu Dhabi (as of 8/2), courtesy of DraftKings.

Main Card:

  • Cory Sandhagen (-270) vs. Umar Nurmagomedov (+340)
  • Sharabutdin Magomedov (-238) vs. Micha? Oleksiejczuk (+195)
  • Marlon Vera (+120) vs. Deiveson Figueiredo (-142)
  • Tony Ferguson (+440) vs. Michael Chiesa (-600)
  • Mackenzie Dern (-118) vs. Loopy Godinez (-102)
  • Joel Álvarez (-166) vs. Elves Brener (+140)

Preliminary Card:

  • Azamat Murzakanov (-218) vs. Alonzo Menifield (+180)
  • Mohammad Yahya (+310) vs. Kaue Fernandes (-395)
  • Shamil Gaziev (-270) vs. Don’Tale Mayes (+220)
  • Guram Kutateladze (-230) vs. Jordan Vucenic (+190)
  • Victoria Dudakova (-175) vs. Sam Hughes (+145)
  • Jai Herbert (-130) vs. Rolando Berdoya (+110)
  • Sedriques Dumas (-130) vs. Denis Tiuliulin (+190)

Continue Reading UFC Fight Night Abu Dhabi Odds: Current Favorites For Sandhagen vs. Nurmagomedov, Vera vs. Figueiredo, Ferguson vs. Chiesa, & More at MMA News.