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 […]

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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

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UFC on ABC 7: B/R Main Card Staff Predictions

The UFC is headed back to Abu Dhabi this Saturday, and it’s bringing along a Fight Night card that is arguably better than some of its recent pay-per-views.…

The UFC is headed back to Abu Dhabi this Saturday, and it’s bringing along a Fight Night card that is arguably better than some of its recent pay-per-views.…

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.

Mackenzie Dern Promises To ‘Clean’ Up Fight Style In Pursuit Of Becoming Two-Division UFC Champion 

Ahead of her return, UFC strawweight contender Mackenzie Dern knows a more controlled approach is needed if she’s to reach her goals in MMA. She is among the prominent names set to be in action at this weekend’s UFC Fight Night event in Abu Dhabi. A number of key matchups will play out before the […]

Continue Reading Mackenzie Dern Promises To ‘Clean’ Up Fight Style In Pursuit Of Becoming Two-Division UFC Champion  at MMA News.

Ahead of her return, UFC strawweight contender Mackenzie Dern knows a more controlled approach is needed if she’s to reach her goals in MMA.

She is among the prominent names set to be in action at this weekend’s UFC Fight Night event in Abu Dhabi. A number of key matchups will play out before the bantamweight headliner between Cory Sandhagen and Umar Nurmagomedov, including Dern’s 115-pound scrap with Loopy Godinez.

For the Brazilian jiu-jitsu specialist, the contest marks her first since a decision defeat to former title challenger Amanda Lemos at UFC 298 this past February. That short-notice assignment saw her fall to a second straight setback, having previously been stopped for the first time by Jéssica Andrade.

As for much of her career, the current winless run has left Dern as the subject of criticism for her lack of striking development and habit of ill-advised brawling.

While that’s left many dismissing her title ambitions on MMA’s biggest stage, Dern is confident that championship glory in multiple weight classes still lies in her future, providing she can rein in emotion inside the Octagon…

Dern On UFC Title Chances: ‘If I’m More Rational…’

During a recent fight week interview with MMA Junkie’s Mike Bohn, Dern reflected on the two defeats she’s suffered to fellow Brazilians since a career-best display opposite Angela Hill in an Apex main event last year.

The #7-ranked contender acknowledged the areas she must improve in starting this weekend, and she believes that success in that field could pave the way for glory in more than just the strawweight division.

“From my last fight, the biggest thing I’ve been trying to work on is just like, control the emotions. We kind of feel like that’s the biggest detail, what my losses are coming from,” Dern said. “Not necessarily, ‘Oh, the technique isn’t there, missing the wrestling, missing the striking.’ Just that fact like, when you take a punch or something, sometimes I stay in a brawl and make the fight harder than what it needs to be.

“I want to have a long career. I want to be a champion. I would like to be like, a two-weight class champion,” Dern continued. “Brawlers don’t really have that. They take the damage. … It’s just unnecessary. I always have that card in my back pocket if I need to brawl. I can go out there and brawl. We all know I have that heart in there. I want to have a long career and try to see everything. And I think if I’m more rational and reasonable, I can have everything it takes to be a champion.”

First things first, Dern must show development and defend her spot on the ladder against Godinez in the Middle East on Saturday.

Continue Reading Mackenzie Dern Promises To ‘Clean’ Up Fight Style In Pursuit Of Becoming Two-Division UFC Champion  at MMA News.

Amanda Lemos scores decision victory over Mackenzie Dern in epic three-round war – UFC 298 Highlights

Mackenzie DernMackenzie Dern and Amanda Lemos closed out the UFC 298 prelims with a bang on Saturday night. Stepping in…

Mackenzie Dern

Mackenzie Dern and Amanda Lemos closed out the UFC 298 prelims with a bang on Saturday night.

Stepping in for a short-notice showdown with the one-time UFC title challenger, Dern showed her heart and determination throughout the three-round affair, never backing down even when she was battered and bloody in the second round.

Dern’s lead leg was compromised in the early going due to a series of vicious calf kicks courtesy of Lemos, but that didn’t stop Dern from marching forward and letting her hands go. However, Lemos nearly scored a finish in the second when Dern came rushing in and caught a counter that immediately busted up the Brazilian-American beauty’s nose.

Still, Dern never let up and narrowly escaped with a victory in the third after controlling a majority of the round with her world-class BJJ.

But despite her best efforts, it was Lemos who would have her hand raised after 15 grueling minutes.

Official Result: Amanda Lemos def. Mackenzie Dern via unanimous decision (29-28, 29-28, 29-28)

Check Out Highlights From Mackenzie Dern vs. Amanda Lemos at UFC 298:

Joe Rogan’s ruthless commentary made UFC 298’s Mackenzie Dern cry: ‘This is so embarrassing’

Mackenzie DernJoe Rogan made Mackenzie Dern cry. On Saturday night, February 17, the strawweight fan favorite will return to the…

Mackenzie Dern

Joe Rogan made Mackenzie Dern cry.

On Saturday night, February 17, the strawweight fan favorite will return to the Octagon at UFC 298 determined to get back into the win column after delivering a lackluster performance in her last outing against former champion Jessica Andrade.

After putting on the performance of a lifetime against Angela Hill six months prior, Dern looked like a complete novice against Andrade, earning criticism from Rogan who was on hand to offer his expertise.

“She’s flailing (arm punches) and her chin is up in the air. Look at her, that’s crazy,” Joe Rogan said moments before Dern suffered her first stoppage loss. “At this level, to have that lack of awareness in those exchanges is crazy.”

“We saw it coming,” Rogan added following the finish. “It’s like she regressed in her striking from her last performance.”

Rogan wasn’t the only one to pour on the criticism while watching the fight from the commentary table. Daniel Cormier added that “she gets a little lost when the exchanges get a little long and wild” while Din Thomas suggested that they need to “fire whoever told her to get rid of Jason Parillo.”

Watching back her second-round knockout loss to Andrade, Dern was heartbroken to hear Rogan and his commentary compatriots lambasting her performance.

“When I heard the commentary like Joe Rogan, D.C., and stuff, that for me, that was — I felt embarrassed — I felt bad,” Dern said on an appearance on Morning Kombat. “I was like, ‘Dang, how did I just fight Angela Hill in May with like the best performance, and now they’re saying I look like a freakin’ high school girl brawling and stuff like that?’

“For me, they’re the kind of critics that can influence a lot of people with what they say commentating. Man, I can’t believe they said that about me. I looked like that?! Then I started remembering, well, the same way they said good stuff about me they’ve said bad. It goes back and forth. It’s their job, they’re going to commentate no matter what. I still love them and everything like that. So, it wasn’t too bad,” she said.

“Just that first moment I watched the fight I was crying, like this is so embarrassing, oh my gosh” (h/t Bloody Elbow).

Mackenzie Dern sees UFC 298 return as a ‘must-win’ situation

Dern will look to erase the memory of her loss to Andrade when she steps inside the cage with one-time UFC title challenger Amanda Lemos in a short-notice showdown. Lemos is coming off a lopsided decision defeat at the hands of reigning strawweight queen Zhang Weili.

As for Dern, the Brazilian-American beauty has alternated wins and losses in her last five outings, besting Tecia Torres and Angela Hill, but coming up short against Marina Rodriguez, Yan Xiaonan, and the aforementioned Jessica Andrade. Dern goes into her UFC 298 clash with ‘Amandinha’ believing it is a must-win situation.

“On a personal level, (this fight) is a must-win,” Dern said.