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3 next opponents for Umar Nurmagomedov after UFC Abu Dhabi victory

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3 next opponents for Umar Nurmagomedov after UFC Abu Dhabi victory

As a long-time MMA fan with a particular fondness for the Russian fighting style and a knack for predicting fights, I must say that Umar Nurmagomedov‘s performance at UFC Abu Dhabi was nothing short of breathtaking. The young Dagestani demonstrated an impressive display of striking, grappling, and endurance against a formidable opponent like Cory Sandhagen.

On Saturday evening, Umar Nurmagomedov embarked on his seventh trip into the Octagon, taking on the most demanding fight of his professional career. This undefeated Russian lightweight was moving up significantly in competition for the main event at UFC Abu Dhabi, transitioning from battling an unranked opponent Bekzat Almakhan to facing the second-ranked Cory Sandhagen.

Approaching UFC Abu Dhabi, Sandhagen had scored three straight victories against notable opponents (Song Yadong, Marlon ‘Chito’ Vera, and Rob Font). At 32 years old, his blend of top-tier striking abilities and solid takedown defense posed an enticing challenge for Nurmagomedov.

In this UFC bantamweight match, Sandhagen was considered a significant underdog, with odds suggesting he had only a one-in-four chance of winning. Indeed, Nurmagomedov came out on top after a grueling five-round fight, securing the victory via unanimous decision (50-45, 49-46 twice).

In Abu Dhabi, Nurmagomedov delivered an unquestionably remarkable performance throughout his fighting career. At just 28 years old, he held his ground during the striking exchanges and effectively incorporated takedowns to disrupt Sandhagen’s strategy. Above all, this versatile bantamweight demonstrated exceptional five-round stamina and resilience – a clear indication that he is prepared for a shot at the world title.

It seems the question is about Khabib Nurmagomedov’s future fights. Given that he won against Sandhagen, many believe a title shot is imminent. However, in the fast-paced world of MMA, nothing is confirmed until both fighters are inside the Octagon with the cage door securely locked.

1. Winner of Sean O’Malley vs. Merab Dvalishvili

Prior to his bout at UFC Abu Dhabi, Umar Nurmagomedov stated in multiple interviews that the UFC had promised him a title shot if he won. This assertion was not disputed as the unbeaten Russian fighter was expected to defeat the highest-ranking opponent available since Merab Dvalishvili was set to face Sean O’Malley instead.

On September 14th, O’Malley will battle for his bantamweight championship a second time, this time against number one-ranked Dvalishvili in the main event of UFC 306. The unique blend of their fighting styles has attracted significant interest, as they prepare to duel within the Sphere in Las Vegas, Nevada – a venue that Dana White touts as potentially the most historic event in combat sports.

As a gamer, I’m pumped for the main event at UFC 306! Last time out, “Sugar” O’Malley showed off his impressive striking skills against Marlon ‘Chito’ Vera, while Dvalishvili dominated Henry Cejudo in grappling. Now, it’s all about using those strengths – I expect “Sugar” to dance around with his slick strikes, and the Georgian to try to ground and pound the bantamweight champ. It’s going to be an epic showdown!

Regardless of who wins, the UFC bantamweight champion should expect to fight Nurmagomedov in late 2024 or early 2025. The Russian’s performance at UFC Abu Dhabi proved he has a legitimate chance of defeating O’Malley or Dvalishvili, creating another exciting matchup at the top of the 135-pound division.

As a dedicated gamer (and UFC fan), it’s clear that the organizers have their eyes set on a potential showdown between Khabib Nurmagomedov and ‘Sugar’ Sean O’Malley. With his world title, ‘Sugar’ keeps drawing massive crowds for pay-per-views. Add to that an undefeated Russian contender linked to Khabib, and you’ve got a recipe for skyrocketing sales. But before we can savor that matchup, ‘Sugar’ needs to conquer his next challenge: the main event at UFC 308 against Dvalishvili.

2. Loser of Sean O’Malley vs. Merab Dvalishvili

Umar Nurmagomedov and his crew find it amusing to reject any fight not for the UFC bantamweight championship after his match with Cory Sandhagen. However, unexpected events can occur in MMA, so there’s a slim possibility that the native of Dagestan might face someone other than the victor of Sean O’Malley vs. Merab Dvalishvili for his upcoming eighth fight in the Octagon.

At UFC 306, O’Malley and Dvalishvili are determined to emerge victorious with the bantamweight title. In their highly anticipated main event, either combatant could sustain a severe injury like a torn ACL or broken leg. If this happens on September 14th, the winner might be sidelined for at least six months, which could pose a challenge for the UFC in finding a suitable replacement.

In a possible scenario, Nurmagomedov might prefer to hold out for a chance at an undisputed title fight in his weight class, but the UFC could introduce an interim bantamweight championship instead. If that happens, the Russian competitor would need to take up this offer or risk losing the opportunity to ever compete for the title in the future.

Based on the outcome of UFC 306, if O’Malley or Dvalishvili loses their match, they might have shown enough skill to earn a place in the interim title bout. Consequently, Nurmagomedov could potentially fight one of them before challenging for the undisputed title. Fortunately, the victor of UFC Abu Dhabi’s main event would still have a chance to become a world champion in their next Octagon battle.

3. Deiveson Figueiredo

In a potential shift from previous assumptions, Umar Nurmagomedov’s upcoming bout might not be against Sean O’Malley or Merab Dvalishvili. If we consider the scenario where the winner of UFC 306 main event gets injured and dominates in their next fight, they could face a prolonged recovery period. Consequently, the losing contender may not merit an interim title fight based on this revised sequence of events.

As a dedicated fan, I’ve been pondering who might step up to challenge Khabib Nurmagomedov for the interim title next. Let me break it down based on current rankings:

Deiveson Figueiredo, currently ranked sixth, proved his worth as a top contender at UFC Abu Dhabi by defeating ‘Chito’ with a unanimous decision. This victory increased his record to 3-0 within the division. It is important to mention that the rankings have been revised since the event on Saturday, so Deus da Guerra will likely be among the top five fighters next week.

Ever since shifting to bantamweight, Figueiredo has triumphed over Rob Font (via unanimous decision), Cody Garbrandt (with a second-round submission), and ‘Chito’ (also by unanimous decision). The 36-year-old has demonstrated that he still has a significant amount of fighting spirit within him, potentially making him a formidable contender in the challenging 135-pound division.

Figueiredo’s prospects at bantamweight remain promising, even considering potential changes in the interim bantamweight title scenario. If rumors prove true, Figueiredo might face off against ranked third contender Yan for a shot at becoming the next number one contender, which could excite fans significantly. Meanwhile, Nurmagomedov is expected to fight the victor of O’Malley vs. Dvalishvili.

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2024-08-05 22:13

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