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Cory Sandhagen vs. Umar Nurmagomedov preview and prediction

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Cory Sandhagen vs. Umar Nurmagomedov preview and prediction

As a devoted MMA enthusiast who has witnessed countless battles in the octagon, I can confidently say that I am thoroughly excited for the upcoming UFC Fight Night in Abu Dhabi featuring Cory Sandhagen and Umar Nurmagomedov. Having followed their respective careers closely, I have developed a deep appreciation for their skills and grit.

The Ultimate Fighting Championship (UFC) is making a comeback in Abu Dhabi on August 3 for a Fight Night event. Headlining this showdown is an intense bantamweight match-up between Cory Sandhagen, ranked No. 2, and Umar Nurmagomedov, ranked No. 10. This battle could significantly impact the top five bantamweights as the victor may earn a title shot against the winner of the Sean O’Malley vs. Merab Dvalishvili fight. Originally set to face each other in a Nashville main event in August 2023, Nurmagomedov was forced to withdraw three weeks before due to a shoulder injury, leading Sandhagen to take on Rob Font instead, who he defeated via unanimous decision. In the meantime, Nurmagomedov overcame Bekzat Almakhan with his own unanimous decision when he returned to action in March 2024.

In his fighting career, which spans various martial arts like taekwondo, boxing, and kickboxing, where he excelled significantly by clinching multiple WKA titles, Sandhagen entered the world of MMA in 2015. His first five victories, secured across four different organizations such as FTW, RFA, Paramount MMA, and Sparta Combat League, marked his early success. His professional debut took place at Legacy Fighting Alliance against Jamall Emmers, who emerged victorious by unanimous decision in a defeat that served to strengthen Sandhagen, leading him to win his next three fights via knockout over the subsequent two years. He later secured a UFC contract in early 2018 and has since established himself as a top-tier contender yet to challenge for undisputed championship glory. Sandhagen boasts impressive striking from a distance, potent knees offensively, robust endurance, and average grappling skills. Some of his most notable victories include those against Frankie Edgar, Marlon Moraes, Marlon Vera, and Song Yadong.

Khabib Nurmagomedov’s cousin, also hailing from Dagestan, is widely recognized for his impressive MMA career. Similar to his legendary relative, he has a diverse background in freestyle wrestling, Thai boxing, and combat sambo, which led him to become a world champion at the age of 19. After securing the amateur championship at WMMAA, he ventured into professional MMA in 2016 with Fight Nights Global, a Russian organization. Subsequently, he defended his bantamweight title across two organizations, PFL and GFC. With an undefeated record of 12-0, he signed with the UFC in 2020, extending his streak to 17-0 over four years. Nurmagomedov is known for his powerful kicks, effective range control, and strong wrestling skills that allow him to take down opponents. Some notable victories include Sergey Morozov, Brian Kelleher, Nate Maness, and Raoni Barcelos.

Cory Sandhagen vs. Umar Nurmagomedov prediction

To secure victory in this bout, Sandhagen should aim to keep the fight on its feet. His nimble footwork is crucial for making it tough for Nurmagomedov to attempt takedowns and confuse him during striking exchanges. If Nurmagomedov tries to take him down, Sandhagen must possess the necessary skills to escape from wrestling positions, all while safeguarding his neck and back. Sandhagen excels at timing powerful attacks like flying knees and head kicks. He should aim to keep Nurmagomedov guessing with his strikes, making him hesitant to attack, which would allow Sandhagen to dismantle him from a distance. Sandhagen could potentially finish Nurmagomedov early or carry the fight into the championship rounds, where Nurmagomedov may struggle due to limited experience in such contests.

In this fight, Nurmagomedov’s primary route to victory is through wrestling, while his opponent predominantly aims for stand-up victories. To succeed, he needs to master the art of well-timed takedowns, as failing to do so might expose him to a potentially harmful knee from Sandhagen. Although Almakhan managed to knock Nurmagomedov down with an overhand, his defensive skills in striking remain strong, with a defense rate of 76 percent. Given Sandhagen’s ability to deliver precise strikes at any moment, Nurmagomedov must stay vigilant defensively during stand-ups. He possesses effective kicks, particularly question mark kicks, which could help him control the range against Sandhagen, making it potentially easier to execute takedowns and deliver more impactful blows. A key strategy for victory could be applying consistent pressure, as TJ Dillashaw and Petr Yan have had success in disrupting Sandhagen’s timing, range, and outpointing strategy by doing so.

Sandhagen has faced tougher opponents than Nurmagomedov and possesses a wider range of techniques for stand-up fights. However, he’s lost in title eliminators against grapplers like Aljimain Sterling and Dillashaw. Nurmagomedov excels in grappling more so than these fighters, and having his famous cousin as a corner could be an advantage since he often guides his athletes towards victory. The unexpected welterweight title win by Belal Muhammad demonstrated this, as he took advice from Nurmagomedov’s cousin beforehand. Nurmagomedov can match Sandhagen in striking, while also applying pressure and avoiding being knocked down by weak punches. He will execute the takedowns needed to dominate Sandhagen, secure his back, and find a submission.

Prediction: Nurmagomedov via second-round submission.

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2024-08-01 01:13

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