UFC Abu Dhabi Recap: Umar Nurmagomedov Shines, Moves Up Rankings; Surprises and Shifts in the Bantamweight Division
In a thrilling main event at UFC Abu Dhabi this past Saturday, Umar Nurmagomedov made a resounding statement, solidifying his status as a serious contender in the bantamweight division. Facing off against the No. 2-ranked Cory Sandhagen, Nurmagomedov delivered a performance that not only secured him a unanimous decision victory but also catapulted him to the No. 2 spot in the 135-pound rankings.
A Fighter to Watch
At just 28 years old, Nurmagomedov, who hails from Dagestan and is the cousin of former UFC lightweight champion Khabib Nurmagomedov, has shown impressive prowess inside the Octagon. Despite entering the bout as the No. 10 ranked fighter, Nurmagomedov showcased his skill and endurance through five grueling rounds. The judges scored the fight 50-45, 49-46, and 49-46 in favor of Nurmagomedov, marking a significant milestone in his career.
Nurmagomedov’s Reaction
In the post-fight press conference, Nurmagomedov expressed mixed feelings about his performance. “I’m not happy,” he admitted. “It was a good performance on the striking, but if you’re talking about grappling and how I controlled him, it was not good.” He praised Sandhagen’s resilience and acknowledged the challenges he faced. “Cory’s too good and he has hard kicks. He’s a tough man. I think he has more experience than me in the UFC cage, but I won. But I’m happy, I won.”
Shifts in the Bantamweight Division
With Nurmagomedov’s win, the bantamweight division is seeing notable changes. Sandhagen, previously No. 2, now sits at No. 4, while Nurmagomedov climbs to the second spot. The division will next see Merab Dvalishvili, currently ranked ahead of Nurmagomedov, challenge UFC bantamweight champion Sean O’Malley at Noche UFC / UFC 306. The outcome of that fight will be pivotal for Nurmagomedov’s future title aspirations.
Figueiredo and the Strawweight Surprises
Former flyweight champion Deiveson Figueiredo also made waves with a decision win over Marlon “Chito” Vera, moving up to No. 5 in the bantamweight rankings. Meanwhile, in a surprising twist, Mackenzie Dern, despite winning against Loopy Godinez, dropped to No. 8 in the women’s strawweight rankings. Godinez maintained her position at No. 10, highlighting the volatility and competitiveness of the rankings.
Performance of the Night
On the prelims, Azamat Murzakanov delivered a knockout performance against Alonzo Menifield, earning a “Performance of the Night” bonus. Murzakanov, now 14-0 overall and 4-0 in the UFC, rose from No. 14 to No. 11 in the light heavyweight rankings. Menifield’s second consecutive KO defeat caused him to fall out of the rankings, underscoring the high stakes and fast-paced nature of the sport.
What’s Next
Looking ahead, the UFC will return to the Apex in Las Vegas on August 10 for a card headlined by heavyweights Marcin Tybura and Serghei Spivak. As the fight calendar continues to heat up, the changes and surprises from UFC Abu Dhabi are sure to keep fans and fighters alike on their toes.
