Final Saturday, Abu Dhabi performed host to one of the anticipated UFC Combat Evening principal occasions of the summer season between two of the perfect bantamweights on the planet, Cory Sandhagen and Umar Nurmagomedov. Trying to safe his first shot at undisputed gold, Sandhagen aimed to placed on a statement-making efficiency in opposition to the undefeated Dagestani phenom to punch his ticket for a gold-gloved bout.
On the other aspect, the 17-0 Nurmagomedov was desirous to show that, regardless of his lack of ranked wins within the division, he was greater than prepared to hitch the higher echelon of the 135-lb. division’s elite.
Different notable fights embrace two Final Fighter winners in Tony Ferguson and Michael Chiesa duking it out in a Welterweight showcase, Marlon Vera versus Deiveson Figueiredo, and the undefeated Sharaputdin Magomedov placing his win streak on the road in opposition to Michal Oleksiejczuk.
Now, let’s check out who this previous present’s principal card winners ought to battle subsequent.
Joel Alvarez
Holding his 100% ending charge intact, Joel Alvarez clocked in a surprising efficiency in Abu Dhabi when he managed a brutal third spherical end over the tough-as-nails Elves Brener, handing the Brazilian his first profession loss by stoppage after a barrage of brutal knees and punches. Regardless of having not competed since July of 2023, the Spaniard seemed to be in impeccable type and delivered one of many extra electrifying knockouts of the night time.
Combat to Make: Jalin Turner
Whereas the light-weight division’s end king might have referred to as out one other king in his post-fight interview, the towering Jalin Turner stands as one of many extra attention-grabbing fights for Alvarez to take at 155 lbs. With each males standing at 6 ‘3, and with almost the identical quantity of attain, the scale benefit that “El Fenomeno” usually possesses could be virtually negated, resulting in an excellent contest between two of the most important Lightweights within the recreation.
Mackenzie Dern
Snapping a two-fight shedding skid, Mackenzie Dern lastly bought again within the win column by turning away fellow Strawweight contender Lupita Godinez after a hard-fought unanimous resolution. The win was her first since taking a five-round barnburner over Angela Hill final 12 months.
Combat to Make: Amanda Lemos
Trying to inch even nearer to a shot on the prime of the mountain at 115 lbs, the subsequent bout to make for Dern is former title challenger Amanda Lemos. As a marquee matchup for the Strawweight division, the battle may simply be arrange as a headlining bout or top-billed matchup on any pay-per-view. Ought to Dern handle to maneuver previous the stalwart, all-rounded Lemos, then the door to a championship tilt would possibly very properly open for the Arizona native.
Michael Chiesa
Acquiring his first victory since 2021, Michael Chiesa bought the job accomplished in opposition to Tony Ferguson in simply over three minutes, submitting the Light-weight legend by rear bare choke within the first spherical. Regardless of juggling the obligations of being a outstanding analyst for the UFC, along with being an energetic fighter, “Maverick” gave the impression to be in high-quality type going into his nineteenth stroll to the Octagon. The victory ended a 3 battle shedding streak for the 36 year-old after falling in back-to-back bouts with Vicente Luque, Sean Brady, and Kevin Holland.
Combat to Make: Gunnar Nelson
In all his time with the most important MMA promotion on the planet, if it’s one factor Chiesa has proven himself to be, it’s that he’s a stellar Brazilian jiu-jitsu practitioner, with 11 of his 17 skilled wins coming by the use of submission. For his subsequent outing, why not pair him up with one other welterweight grappling ace, Gunnar Nelson? With each males seeking to get into the rankings at 170 lbs, a high-profile end might be all that both of them wants to ensure a ranked opponent of their subsequent UFC look.
Deiveson Figueiredo
Persevering with his climb up the Bantamweight ladder, former two-time flyweight champion Deiveson Figueiredo picked up an incredible win over the battle-tested Marlon Vera. Taking the primary spherical with a masterful mix of pinpoint placing and grappling, Figueiredo encountered a level of resistance from “Chito” after the Ecuadorian began to place his foot on the gasoline pedal within the second spherical. With the battle even going into the third, “Deus da Guerra” poured on the stress and scored an enormous knockdown on Vera, finally incomes the unanimous resolution win.
Combat to Make: Petr Yan
In the meanwhile, a lot of the 135-lb. division’s top-five both have bouts booked or had already fought on the identical card alongside or in opposition to Figueiredo final weekend. There are, nevertheless, two names which can be presently with out a dance companion, these names being Henry Cejudo and Petr Yan. Sadly, contemplating how Cejudo had beforehand coached Figueiredo up to now, it’s unlikely the Brazilian would take that battle. If that seems to be the case, then the subsequent cease on the street towards 135-lb. gold appears to result in “Deus da Guerra” coming to blows with one other former bantamweight champion in Yan.
Sharaputdin Magomedov
After virtually two months since his final win, Sharaputdin Magomedov capitalized on a brief discover principal occasion alternative and received a detailed unanimous resolution over Poland’s Michal Oleksiejczuk. Now an ideal 3-0 within the UFC, “Bullet” seems to be on the quick observe towards stardom within the Middleweight division along with his high-level Muay Thai skillset.
Combat to Make: Roman Kopylov
Throughout his three fights within the promotion, Magomedov has proven himself to be a proficient striker. Which is why, for his subsequent UFC outing, having him battle the equally proficient Roman Kopylov offers him the possibility to really take a look at himself in opposition to one other impeccable kickboxer within the division. And with Kopylov lately using a wholesome dose of wrestling into his recreation, we’ll get to see if Magomedov could make the mandatory changes within the grappling division to proceed his ascent within the Middleweight division.
Umar Nurmagomedov
Some have been already calling Umar Nurmagomedov a future title contender even earlier than his bout with Cory Sandhagen, and in his first principal occasion, the Dagestani emphatically cemented his case by taking a hard-won break up resolution over “Sandman.” Using his elite grappling and surprisingly quick hand velocity, Nurmagomedov pushed a excessive tempo in opposition to the simply as recreation Sandhagen to propel himself into the bantamweight prime 5.
Combat to Make: Winner of Sean O’Malley and Merab Dvalishvili
In a month’s time, present 135-lb. king Sean O’Malley can be making the second protection of his strap in opposition to No. 1 contender Merab Dvalishvili. Regardless of who emerges because the victor, each males deliver some reasonably distinctive challenges for the undefeated Nurmagomedov. Nevertheless, in his post-fight interview, he made it crystal clear that it doesn’t matter who it’s, he simply desires his probability to contend for the belt.
