Cory Sandhagen and Umar Nurmagomedov, the ground is yours.
All the pieces is lining up for certainly one of Saturday’s UFC Abu Dhabi headliners to put declare to the No. 1 contender spot at 135 kilos. Bantamweight champion Sean O’Malley lastly faces off with Merab Dvalishvili at UFC 306 on Sept. 14, and a recent challenger may very well be ready for them earlier than they even step into the octagon.
Will or not it’s the battle-tested Sandhagen? “The Sandman” has already been in a single championship battle, an interim title conflict with Petr Yan that was among the best fights of 2021. It was additionally a loss for Sandhagen, and he’s needed to rattle off three straight wins over ranked opponents to remain in title competition. If he beats the closely favored Nurmagomedov, that certainly places him on the entrance of the road.
The trail appears even clearer for Nurmagomedov, the bearer of a reputation that now resonates extra with the typical fan than “Gracie.” Nurmagomedov is the blueprint for the trendy MMA fighter, and he’s but to style defeat in his 17-fight profession. For pundits who’ve carefully adopted him, it’s a matter of when for Nurmagomedov, not if.
Stars fill out the remainder of the UFC Abu Dhabi essential card, together with unbeaten Shara Magomedov taking up Michal Oleksiejczuk within the middleweight co-main occasion, bantamweight contenders Marlon Vera and Deiveson Figueiredo squaring off, fan favourite Tony Ferguson aiming to keep away from the longest shedding streak in UFC historical past when he fights Michael Chiesa, strawweight standouts Mackenzie Dern and Crazy Godinez in motion, and an absolute banger of an opener between lightweights Joel Alvarez and Elves Brener.
What: UFC Abu Dhabi
The place: Etihad Enviornment in Abu Dhabi
When: Saturday, Aug. 3. The seven-fight preliminary card begins at 12 p.m. ET on ESPN2 and ESPN+, adopted by a six-fight essential card at 3 p.m. ET on ABC and ESPN+.
(Numbers in parentheses point out standing in MMA Preventing’s World Rankings)
Cory Sandhagen (4) vs. Umar Nurmagomedov (8)
Yeah, I’ve settled at a couple of 16/10 so far as my stage of pleasure for this one.
Isn’t this why we watch MMA? To see one of the best battle one of the best? For the celebs to align to provide us a real No. 1 contender in a division? And make no mistake, whoever wins Saturday has each proper to carry out for a title shot as quickly as one could be booked.
Cory Sandhagen has an hermetic case if he turns into the primary fighter handy Umar Nurmagomedov an L. The proud Coloradan has constructed his status on being that dude within the division who will battle anybody, anyplace. Simply have a look at his résumé over the previous few years, it’s nothing however the very best at 135 kilos, together with Marlon Vera, who was tagged for a title shot over Sandhagen attributable to his historical past with Sean O’Malley.
Wherever the battle goes, Sandhagen is a handful for Nurmagomedov. He desires to maintain the battle standing, however he’s additionally adept at mixing the martial arts. He’ll chase highlights, however he’s not afraid to grind out a win both. He’s the proper foil at this stage of Nurmagomedov’s profession.
Nurmagomedov made his UFC debut in 2021 with a ton of hype behind him and outdoors of some hiccups, he’s greater than lived as much as it. With regards to the center tier of bantamweights, he’s confronted a number of the finest, together with Raoni Barcelos and the under-appreciated Sergey Morozov, to not point out harmful newcomer Bekzat Almakhan. Nonetheless, the actual fact stands: Sandhagen is a gigantic step up in competitors from anybody Nurmagomedov has beforehand fought.
Usually, I put a number of weight on expertise and energy of schedule, however Nurmagomedov is a particular expertise. He’s all the time been ranges above the opponents he’s confronted, so he’s well-prepared to tackle a contender of Sandhagen’s caliber. This gained’t be a simple battle for both man — if certainly one of them by some means dominates the opposite, simply e book the title shot as quickly as they end their post-fight interview — so I’m going with Nurmagomedov to win a call in a Struggle of the 12 months candidate.
Choose: Nurmagomedov
Shara Magomedov vs. Michal Oleksiejczuk
If Sandhagen vs. Nurmagomedov is the perfect contenders’ battle, that is the perfect substitute co-main occasion.
With respect to Nick Diaz and Vicente Luque, little was misplaced when that bout was postponed and changed by Shara Magomedov vs. Michal Oleksiejczuk. They may not have the identical identify worth, but when I’ve to decide on between seeing these two wild boys throw down and a 41-year-old Diaz dragging himself to the cage for a paycheck, the selection is simple.
“Shara Bullet” has been inconsistent in his two UFC fights, so the time is now for him to indicate that he has expertise are as spectacular as his social media numbers. He’s an superior striker with some actually scary finishes on his résumé, but when he doesn’t begin displaying that he can get it executed contained in the octagon, it gained’t be lengthy till followers bitter on his act.
Although a win over Oleksiejczuk gained’t put a quantity subsequent to Magomedov’s identify, this can be a beatable opponent being served up on a platter. Oleksiejczuk hardly ever goes to the playing cards, so the stress is on Magomedov to match that tempo and ship a end.
Magomedov by first-round knockout. Don’t make me remorse this decide, Shara Bullet!
Choose: Magomedov
Marlon Vera (12) vs. Deiveson Figueiredo (T9)
My logic for selecting Deiveson Figueiredo right here is that the two-time flyweight champion is simply … higher? Searing evaluation, I do know.
With respect to Marlon Vera, it appears like we’ve seen his ceiling. He’s a sluggish starter, he can end anyplace, and he’s robust as all hell. Regardless of being within the cage with a slew of knockout artists, none of them have put a big dent in Chito’s chin. It’s exceptional.
Figueiredo was widely known as one of many hardest hitters within the flyweight division and whereas the affect of his strikes is understandably dulled 10 kilos up, he nonetheless has greater than sufficient pop to earn Vera’s respect. Vera can’t simply stroll Figueiredo down if he expects to win.
The dimensions distinction can’t make up for the talent distinction right here, as a result of Vera isn’t going to simply hoss Figueiredo round. He’ll check Figueiredo’s standup, land a couple of good pictures, and look to energy his option to a call. It’s a method that has served him nicely in his profession, however in opposition to the speedy “Deus da Guerra,” I can’t see him connecting sufficient instances to take the choice. That is Figgy’s battle to lose.
Choose: Figueiredo
Tony Ferguson vs. Michael Chiesa
What’s this? A winnable battle for Tony Ferguson?
Look, I actually wish to speak myself into an “El Cucuy” comeback right here. If we cherry decide one of the best moments from his current performances (keep in mind how nicely he was doing in opposition to Michael Chandler earlier than his face was faraway from his face?), we will see hints of the man who as soon as regarded unbeatable at 155 kilos. On paper, Michael Chiesa shouldn’t be an unattainable opponent for him to beat, particularly if the Chiesa that fell so flat in opposition to Kevin Holland exhibits up.
It’s not like Chiesa is a spring rooster both, having turned 36 this yr, solely 4 years youthful than Ferguson. His efficiency in opposition to Holland may need been an indication that his finest days are actually behind him.
All that stated, Chiesa has a transparent path to victory together with his grappling and straightforward to image Ferguson avoiding being wrestled into oblivion. I shut my eyes to ascertain how this battle goes and all I see is Charles Oliveira and Beneil Dariush ragdolling Ferguson for quarter-hour. Chiesa isn’t pretty much as good as both of these guys, however he doesn’t have to be.
That is MMA, so Ferguson pulling a rabbit out of a hat can be a delight, however I vowed a very long time in the past to cease choosing Ferguson to win fights and I see no motive to veer from that technique.
Chiesa by determination.
Choose: Chiesa
Mackenzie Dern (8) vs. Crazy Godinez (10)
The strawweight division is enjoyable!
Look, I couldn’t care much less at this level whether or not or not Mackenzie Dern ever “wins the large one” or no matter narrative we’re imposing on her fights today. She all the time places on a present, even when it’s at her personal expense, and at this level in her profession that’s all you’ll be able to ask for. Possibly she fights for a title sometime. Possibly she doesn’t. ‘Tis of no concern to me.
I really feel a lot the identical about Crazy Godinez, an absolute maniac who would battle each week if medically permitted to take action. Godinez goes to see crimson as quickly as that bell rings. Don’t be shocked if she tackles Dern proper out of the gate and dares the jiu-jitsu queen to faucet her out. I imply, she most likely can, however I assure you Godinez doesn’t give a hoot.
Dern’s limitations are well-documented. She struggles to seek out one other gear of offense even when she has a dominant place, and on the ft she stays a tough puncher with restricted setups. It’s fully doable that Godinez exploits these weaknesses and cruises to a call.
I nonetheless assume Dern is under the elite (her previous 4 losses are to fighters who’ve competed in title fights, and Marina Rodriguez, a girl who would have have been it not for unhealthy timing), however a notch above the subsequent tier of fighters, which incorporates Godinez. Dern holds onto her spot right here, catching Godinez with a submission within the second or third spherical.
Choose: Dern
Joel Alvarez vs. Elves Brener
Elves Brener is a premier agent of chaos and I like his probabilities to attain the upset in opposition to Joel Alvarez.
If this goes to the bottom, the wiry Alvarez presents every kind of issues for Brener and it’ll possible be a matter of time earlier than Alvarez provides to his spectacular submission tally. It’s crucial that Brener preserve this on the ft if he’s to work his distinctive model of insanity. Brener is a severe submission menace in his personal proper, however the measurement distinction will likely be an excessive amount of for him if this turns right into a strict grappling contest.
Search for Brener to make use of his grappling defensively to stifle Alvarez’s offense and tire him out, earlier than letting his fingers go after a tense opening minutes. Alvarez will do his finest to return fireplace earlier than finally succumbing to an influence punch on the cash.
Brener by first-round knockout.
Choose: Brener
Preliminaries
Azamat Murzakanov (15) def. Alonzo Menifield
Kaue Fernandes def. Mohammad Yahya
Shamil Gaziev def. Don’Story Mayes
Jordan Vucenic def. Guram Kutateladze
Viktoriia Dudakova def. Sam Hughes