UFC Abu Dhabi 2024 Results: Umar Nurmagomedov Stays Undefeated With Crucial Win Over Cory Sandhagen

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Umar Nurmagomedov outworked Cory Sandhagen to register crucial win and remain undefeated in the headliner of UFC Abu Dhabi 2024: Sandhagen vs. Nurmagomedov event which took place at the Etihad Arena in Abu Dhabi, UAE on Saturday (August 3).

9 of 13 fights on the card, including the headliners, went the distance, while 4 ofights on the card ended in stoppage. Among the 4 stoppage wins on the card, 3 were either knockout (KO) or technical knockout (TKO), 1 submission finish.

The co-main event middleweight clash between Shara Magomedov and Michal Oleksiejczuk was awarded the fight of the night, while Joel Alvarez and Azamat Murzakanov bagged performance bonuses for their respective stoppage wins.

UFC fans in Abu Dhabi were in fact treated to a captivating and exciting event topped off with a pair of contenders emerging in the bantamweight division, as both Nurmagomedov and Deiveson Figueiredo picked up critical victories in high-stakes matchups.

Quality wins by "Shara Bullet," Michael Chiesa, Mackenzie Dern, and Joel Alvarez is also expected to have an impact on the landscape of several weight classes going forward. Here is a look at the recap of UFC on ABC 7:

UFC Abu Dhabi 2024 Recap

Nurmagomedov handled his first main event assignment, registering a unanimous decision win over Sandhagen to remain undefeated and establish himself as the No. 1 contender in the bantamweight division.

Across all five rounds, the talented 28-year-old offered a sampling of all his offensive skills, attacking with swift punches, kicks to all levels, and the wrestling that has become synonymous with those brandishing his last name.

Sandhagen did well in his striking and grappling defense, but he struggled to have any real sustained, momentum-shifting moments of his own. Following the decision win, Nurmagomedov demanded for a title.

"He was more tough than I expected. He's like iron. I feel like I deserve this win. I feel like I beat him in every single round," Nurmagomedov, who extended his MMA career unbeaten record to 18-0, said in the post-fight Octagon interview.

"In the second round I began to believe I could beat him in the striking so I did this. Title shot! I don't worry who's going to be next, just give me a title shot. Now you can cry. I'm coming for you."

Make it three straight for "Shara Bullet" in the UFC. Magomedov controlled the striking throughout his co-main event pairing with Michal Oleksiejczuk, leading to a unanimous decision victory and the best win of his career.

Flashing his trademark quick kicks and varied Muay Thai approach, the promising middleweight was too much for the Polish promotional veteran, out-landing Oleksiejczuk in all three rounds, but the fast-paced action won the pair Fight of the Night.

After the win, Magomedov said, "This is very much like a home crowd for me. It's very important for me to go around the world and get more fans. I've been in this business for a long time, but this is just the start for me. My dream was this fight. I'm happy I won today. Nick Diaz, let's go fight. You're a striker, I'm a striker. This is a very interesting fight."

Also on the main card, Figueiredo and Mackenzie Dern earned unanimous decision wins over Marlon Vera and Loopy Goodinez in their respective bouts, while Michael Chiesa forced Tony Ferguson to submit, and Alvarez stopped Elves Brener in the third round.

Earlier in the preliminary card, Shamil Gaziev, Guram Kutateladze, Sam Hughes, Jai Herbert and Sedriques Dumas earned decision wins, while Azamat Murzakanov and Kaue Fernandes claimed stoppage wins. Here is a look at the final results of UFC Abu Dhabi:

UFC Abu Dhabi 2024 Results

• Bantamweight Bout: Umar Nurmagomedov defeated Cory Sandhagen by unanimous decision (50-45, 49-46, 49-46)
• Middleweight Bout: Shara Magomedov defeated Michal Oleksiejczuk by unanimous decision (30-27, 30-27, 29-28)
• Bantamweight Bout: Deiveson Figueiredo defeated Marlon Vera by unanimous decision (29-28, 29-28, 30-27)
• Welterweight Bout: Michael Chiesa defeated Tony Ferguson by submission (rear-naked choke) at 3:44 of Round 1
• Women's Strawweight Bout: Mackenzie Dern defeated Loopy Godinez by unanimous decision (29-28, 29-28, 29-28)
• Lightweight Bout: Joel Alvarez defeated Elves Brener by TKO (strikes) at 3:36 of Round 3
• Light Heavyweight Bout: Azamat Murzakanov defeated Alonzo Menifield by KO (strikes) at 3:18 of Round 2
• Lightweight Bout: Kaue Fernandes defeated Mohammad Yahya by TKO (strikes) at 4:45 of Round 1
• Heavyweight Bout: Shamil Gaziev defeated Don'Tale Mayes by unanimous decision (30-27, 30-27, 30-27)
• Lightweight Bout: Guram Kutateladze defeated Jordan Vucenic by unanimous decision (29-28, 29-28, 29-28)
• Women's Strawweight Bout: Sam Hughes defeated Viktoriia Dudakova by split decision (27-30, 29-28, 29-28)
• Lightweight Bout: Jai Herbert defeated Rolando Bedoya by unanimous decision (30-27, 30-27, 29-28)
• Middleweight Bout: Sedriques Dumas defeated Denis Tiuliulin by unanimous decision (29-28, 29-28, 30-27)