Cory Sandhagen and Umar Nurmagomedov recently fought at UFC Abu Dhabi. The Dagestani won on the judges’s scorecards and now aims to win the division title. Nurmagomedov has called out the winner of the upcoming bantamweight title fight at UFC Noche between Sean O’Malley and Merab Dvalishvili. Here is what happened:
Umar Nurmagomedov grabbed a unanimous decision victory at UFC Abu Dhabi. This win likely brought him into the discussions for a potential title shot. As such, the Dagestani has his eyes set on the upcoming UFC 306 main event.
Title shot. I don’t worry who’s going these two… TikTok victims… It doesn’t matter for me who’s going to be next. Just give me title shot. O’Malley, Merab, or someone else, it doesn’t matter. I’m here. Now guys, talk how I beat nobody. Cory No. 2. Now you can cry, I’m coming for you.
Umar Nurmagomedov at UFC Abu Dhabi
UFC 306 will feature a highly anticipated bantamweight title fight between Sean O’Malley and Merab Dvalishvili. The event will take place this September at the Sphere in Las Vegas. O’Malley, who previously dethroned Aljamain Sterling, will defend his title against Dvalishvili, who is currently on a 10-fight winning streak.
Meanwhile, back at UFC Abu Dhabi, as Sandhagen attempted to take charge of the pace of the fight, Nurmagomedov secured a dominant ground position, controlling Sandhagen until the end of the fight. The judges awarded Nurmagomedov with a unanimous decision victory. Sandhagen acknowledged that the Dagestani outperformed him and congratulated Nurmagomedov on his victory.
Cory Sandhagen wants potential rematch with Umar Nurmagomedov
Cory Sandhagen was rather defensive in fear of the Dagestani’s dangerous grappling skills. This allowed Umar Nurmagomedov to land a couple of punches while Sandhagen was preoccupied with defending takedowns. Nurmagomedov also used his striking to open opportunities for potential takedowns.
One judge had Nurmagomedov winning in all five rounds. Meanwhile, the other two judges gave just one round each to the Dagestani’s opponent. A dejected Sandhagen addressed his loss at the post-fight octagon interview.
He’s real good. I knew he was going to be real good. He beat me tonight. There’s nothing more I can say about it. Congrats to him. He’s going to fight for the belt next. He’ll probably win and then I’ll catch up to him and fight him again.
Cory Sandhagen at the post-fight octagon interview
Up till UFC Abu Dhabi, Cory Sandhagen ranked #2 in the UFC’s bantamweight rankings. Now Nurmagomedov is a probable contender for a bantamweight title showdown. However, it would not be long until the #2 contender gets back in line for a rematch against the Dagestani bantamweight.
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