UFC Abu Dhabi Main Event

Cory Sandhagen, the bantamweight fighter, is gearing up for a crucial showdown this Saturday against the undefeated Umar Nurmagomedov at Etihad Arena in Abu Dhabi.

Since his interim bantamweight title loss to Petr Yan in 2021, Sandhagen has consistently demonstrated dominance over his opponents, solidifying his position as the No. 2 fighter in the highly competitive 135-pound division.

Striking Excellence

Sandhagen is statistically one of the most proficient strikers in the 135-pound category. Over 12 fights, he has landed 825 significant strikes, placing him eighth in bantamweight history.

Despite frequently partaking in five-round main events, Sandhagen maintains an impressive rate of 5.79 significant strikes per minute, ranking fifth among active fighters in his division.

Few fighters can match Sandhagen's output; he has never been outstruck in a UFC bout lasting longer than 90 seconds.

In his last four fights, Sandhagen's strike differentials were +20, +40, +70, and +25.

Finishing Power

Despite his ability to outpoint opponents, Sandhagen is also adept at finishing fights early.

He has accumulated six finishes in his UFC career, including five knockouts and one submission.

A decisive finish against Nurmagomedov could position him as the next title challenger, potentially facing the winner of the Riyadh Season Noche UFC main event between Sean O’Malley and Merab Dvalishvili.

One of Sandhagen’s most memorable finishes was his flying knee knockout of former UFC lightweight champion Frankie Edgar, just 28 seconds into the first round in 2021.

Grappling Evolution

While known for his striking, Sandhagen has increasingly incorporated grappling into his arsenal.

In his latest fight against Rob Font, he successfully executed seven takedowns and controlled the fight for over 19 minutes.

The Nurmagomedov Challenge

Sandhagen is set to face 17-0 Umar Nurmagomedov, cousin of former UFC lightweight champion Khabib Nurmagomedov.

Umar has proven himself a formidable grappler, securing top position for 53.1% of his total fight time and boasting a perfect 100% takedown defense across five UFC fights.

His striking defense is equally impressive, absorbing just 0.56 significant strikes per minute—the best rate in UFC history for fighters with at least five fights.

Striking and Wrestling Balance

Nurmagomedov's wrestling prowess also enhances his striking game. He has outstruck all his opponents, with strike differentials of +17, +18, +33, +65, and +72.

Experience vs. Undefeated Streak

While both athletes are elite mixed martial artists, Sandhagen has faced tougher competition.

He has fought four former UFC champions—Petr Yan, Frankie Edgar, TJ Dillashaw, and Aljamain Sterling—and is coming off three stellar performances against top-10 contenders Marlon Vera, Song Yadong, and Rob Font.

This anticipated matchup will answer many questions when they step into the Octagon this Saturday at UFC Abu Dhabi.

Don't miss UFC Fight Night: Sandhagen vs. Nurmagomedov, live from Etihad Arena in Abu Dhabi on August 3, 2024. Prelims start at 12 PM ET/9 AM PT, with the main card live on ABC, ESPN, and ESPN+ at 3 PM ET/12 PM PT.

Source: ufc

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