Tag: UFC Fight Night: Sandhagen Vs. Nurmagomedov

Mackenzie Dern Hopes For Tatiana Suarez Matchup After UFC Fight Night Abi Dhabi Win

Should one top contender not get their expected shot at Zhang Weili’s UFC strawweight gold, Mackenzie Dern is open to facing her in the meantime instead. Dern was among the big victors to emerge from this past weekend’s UFC Fight Night event at the Etihad Arena in Abu Dhabi, where she got back in the […]

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Should one top contender not get their expected shot at Zhang Weili’s UFC strawweight gold, Mackenzie Dern is open to facing her in the meantime instead.

Dern was among the big victors to emerge from this past weekend’s UFC Fight Night event at the Etihad Arena in Abu Dhabi, where she got back in the winner’s circle at the expense of Loopy Godinez.

The Brazilian jiu-jitsu specialist entered the contest riding a two-fight losing skid, having been knocked out by former champion Jéssica Andrade last November and outpointed by Amanda Lemos this past February.

After falling out of contention at 115 pounds, a bounce-back result was crucial for the grappling ace on August 3, and she achieved that on the scorecards after going the distance in a close contest with Godinez.

Having defended her spot in the strawweight pecking order, Dern has her sights set back on those above her and, specifically, an undefeated name…

Dern Likes Matchup Against Wrestling-Heavy Suarez

During a backstage interview for ESPN MMA, Dern reflected on her successful performance in Abu Dhabi and assessed what could lie next for her inside the Octagon.

While she acknowledged that the #1-ranked Tatiana Suarez is likely next in line for a shot at the belt, Dern put her name in the hat to face the undefeated American if that’s not the case.

“I’d like to fight November, hopefully,” Dern said. “I don’t really know too many people that are open. I would like to fight Tatiana Suarez if she doesn’t go for the belt. I think that would be a great matchup, a wrestler. So, I would like that fight.”

Suarez has won both of her fights since returning from an injury layoff that spanned close to four years. After defeating Montana De La Rosa up at flyweight, the Californian re-entered title contention at 115 pounds by submitting Andrade last August in Nashville.

Dern, meanwhile, replaced Suarez on late notice to face Lemos earlier this year. While that decision wasn’t rewarded with a triumph, the BJJ specialist has now got back to winning form and has her eyes on the ultimate UFC prize once again.

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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, […]

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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.

Umar Nurmagomedov Reacts To Sean O’Malley Predicting He’d Withdraw From UFC Fight Night Abu Dhabi Return: ‘They Hope I Will Pull Out’ 

UFC bantamweight contender Umar Nurmagomedov believes he knows the reason behind Sean O’Malley’s recent remarks. Nurmagomedov, who currently occupies the #10 spot at 135 pounds, is in Abu Dhabi this week ahead of a major assignment. The undefeated Dagestani will feature in his maiden UFC main event opposite a top-five contender and former interim title […]

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UFC bantamweight contender Umar Nurmagomedov believes he knows the reason behind Sean O’Malley’s recent remarks.

Nurmagomedov, who currently occupies the #10 spot at 135 pounds, is in Abu Dhabi this week ahead of a major assignment. The undefeated Dagestani will feature in his maiden UFC main event opposite a top-five contender and former interim title challenger in Cory Sandhagen.

The pair were originally set to collide in Nashville last August, but a dislocated shoulder in training forced Nurmagomedov out. While “The Sandman” defeated replacement opponent Rob Font before heading for surgery to repair a torn tricep, the Russian escaped a scare in his successful return opposite debutant Bekzat Almakhan this past March.

Nurmagomedov will now face a major step up in competition in his pursuit of O’Malley’s gold, and the champion appears to have one eye on the highly touted contender’s rise. Most recently, “Sugar” predicted that the 28-year-old would likely withdraw from Saturday’s UFC Fight Night in the Middle East.

“I’ll tune in…if it happens,” O’Malley told MMA Fighting. “We know Umar likes to pull out if something happens. I’ll be surprised if the fight happens.”

Nurmagomedov: O’Malley ‘Praying’ I Don’t Earn A Title Shot

During a recent interview with MMA Junkie, Nurmagomedov looked ahead to the biggest fight of his blossoming UFC career thus far.

The Dagestani confirmed he’s been assured that a victory over Sandhagen will put him next in line for a championship opportunity, facing the winner of O’Malley and Merab Dvalishvili’s upcoming Sphere showdown.

Nurmagomedov is sure that neither man wants to face him, and he used the champ’s prediction that he’ll withdraw from the August 3 event as evidence.

“I think they pray,” Nurmagomedov said. “They hope I will pull out and will not take this opportunity to fight for the title. They wish this.

“For me it doesn’t matter who wins (out of O’Malley and Dvalishvili). It’s a very hard fight for both,” Nurmagomedov continued. “One is a wrestling, one is a striker weight height. He is tall. Stylistically, for me, personally it’s very difficult to say who is going to win. I don’t know.”

Having made it to fight week for his rearranged battle with “The Sandman,” Nurmagomedov will look to complete the walk this Saturday at Etihad Arena and have his hand raised for his sixth Octagon triumph.

And should he impress, the Russian looks set to have the opportunity to become the UFC”s latest American Kickboxing Academy standout and Nurmagomedov to win gold.

Continue Reading Umar Nurmagomedov Reacts To Sean O’Malley Predicting He’d Withdraw From UFC Fight Night Abu Dhabi Return: ‘They Hope I Will Pull Out’  at MMA News.

Vicente Luque vs. Nick Diaz Off UFC Fight Night Abu Dhabi Card, Shara ‘Bullet’ Magomedov Returns In New Co-Main Event

Those who were hoping to see another Nick Diaz appearance in the Octagon really soon will be disappointed. Per the broadcast of Saturday’s UFC Fight Night, a “travel issue” has left Diaz unable to compete in his scheduled co-main event bout with Vicente Luque on Aug. 3, when the promotion holds a UFC Fight Night […]

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Those who were hoping to see another Nick Diaz appearance in the Octagon really soon will be disappointed.

Per the broadcast of Saturday’s UFC Fight Night, a “travel issue” has left Diaz unable to compete in his scheduled co-main event bout with Vicente Luque on Aug. 3, when the promotion holds a UFC Fight Night card at the Etihad Arena in Abu Dhabi.

It was announced that undefeated middleweight prospect Sharabutdin “Bullet” Magomedov will now be featured in the new co-main event, taking on Michal Oleksiejczuk.

Diaz’s last UFC appearance came at UFC 266 in September 2021, losing to Robbie Lawler. That marked the Stockton star’s first MMA fight since his January 2015 clash with Anderson Silva.

Luque, meanwhile, has lost three of his last four, most recently being stopped by Joaquin Buckley at UFC Fight Night Atlantic City.

The UFC is expected to reschedule Luque vs. Diaz for an event at a late date.

Luque & Diaz Out, Magomedov In For UFC Fight Night Abu Dhabi

Magomedov competed just last month at UFC Fight Night Saudi Arabia, scoring a third-round finish of Antonio Trócoli. He made his Octagon debut in Abu Dhabi last year, defeating Bruno Silva at UFC 294.

Oleksiejczuk, on the other hand, has lost three of his last four, most recently being submitted by Kevin Holland at UFC 302 last month in Newark.

UFC Fight Night Abu Dhabi on August 3 will be headlined by Cory Sandhagen vs. Umar Nurmagomedov. It is the first of two events to take place in Abu Dhabi this year, with UFC 308 to be held in the same location on October 26.

Continue Reading Vicente Luque vs. Nick Diaz Off UFC Fight Night Abu Dhabi Card, Shara ‘Bullet’ Magomedov Returns In New Co-Main Event at MMA News.