UFC Abu Dhabi: Full fight card, start time and stats as the promotion returns to the dunes of the United Arab Emirates
08/01/2024 02:26 PM
The UFC returns to the Etihad Arena in UAE this weekend for a Fight Night card packed with top talent, including a world title eliminator in the main event.
August is a rather strange month for the UFC, with two rather lackluster Fight Night cards at the Apex sandwiched between a behemoth PPV in the form of Israel Adesanya vs Dricus Du Plessis.
Thankfully, the month kicks off with a bang as the promotion returns to the dunes of Abu Dhabi for a card stacked with top prospects, undefeated contenders, and iconic veterans alike – let's dive into this weekend's action.
UFC Abu Dhabi: Full fight card
As per the UFC website, the following fights have been confirmed for UFC Abu Dhabi this weekend, with a rare six-fight main card in store for fans.
UFC Abu Dhabi: Main Card
- Cory Sandhagen vs Umar Nurmagomedov
- Shara Magomedov vs Michal Oleksiejczuk
- Marlon Vera vs Deiveson Figueiredo
- Tony Ferguson vs Michael Chiesa
- Mackenzie Dern vs Loopy Godinez
- Joel Alvarez vs Elves Brener
UFC Abu Dhabi: Preliminary Card
- Azamat Murzakanov vs Alonzo Menifield
- Mohammad Yahya vs Kaue Fernandes
- Shamil Gaziev vs Don'Tale Mayes
- Guram Kutateladze vs Jordan Vucenic
- Viktoria Dudakova vs Sam Hughes
- Jai Herbert vs Rolando Bedoya
- Sedriques Dumas vs Denis Tiuliulin
In total, across both the main and preliminary fight cards, there are eight ranked fighters set to compete.
UFC Abu Dhabi fighters
In the main event of the evening, talented bantamweight Cory Sandhagen welcomes 17-0 prospect Umar Nurmagomedov to the big leagues in what could very well be a number one contender's fight ahead of the Sean O'Malley vs Merab Dvalishvili title fight next month.
In the co-main event, 13-0 juggernaut Shara 'Bullet' Magomedov hopes to keep the hype train going as he chases a third win in the UFC in less than 10 months; his opponent, Oleksiejczuk has just one win in his last four fights.
Popular bantamweight Marlon Vera returns for the first time since his title defeat to Sean O'Malley and faces a resurgent Deiveson Figueiredo, who has earned back-to-back wins since moving up to 145lbs in the hope of claiming a second UFC belt.
Veterans take center stage further down the card with 'El Cucuy' returning to action, this time at welterweight, and looking to break a seven-fight losing streak against a 'Maverick' in Michael Chiesa who is also on a worrisome three-fight skid.
Strawweight fan-favorite Mackenzie Dern has similarly had a rocky time of late in the UFC, going just 2-4 in her last six fights; she faces Lupita Godinez, whose title aspirations stalled after a decision loss to Virna Jandiroba earlier this year.
Finally, there's a lightweight bout that is sure to deliver some action when 20-3 Joel Alvarez takes on 16-4 Elves Brener – Alvarez has won five fights in the UFC all via finish whilst Brener has two KO/TKO wins in his four fights with the promotion so far.
UFC Abu Dhabi start time and how to watch
UFC Abu Dhabi this weekend will be a rare early start for fans watching from North America, with the event broadcast set to start from the following international times.
- Prelims: 9 AM (PT), 12 Noon (ET), 5 PM (UK), 8 PM (GST).
- Main card: 12 Noon (PT), 3 PM (ET), 8 PM (UK), 11 PM (GST).
This weekend's UFC Fight Night card will also be one of the rare events that will be shown live on ABC in the United States – only the seventh event to be shown on the network under the new banner.
Only the main card will be shown on ABC, starting from 3 PM on the East Coast, with the prelims also set to be shown via ESPN+ in the US – available via TNT Sports in the UK.
Key stats for the UFC Abu Dhabi main event fight
As fans and fighters alike begin to analyze the main event of UFC Abu Dhabi this weekend, there are some interesting statistics and fight patterns that could pay dividends for those fans looking to pick a winner.
Cory Sandhagen has landed 825 significant strikes in 12 fights, the eighth most in the division's history, and has never been outstruck by his opponent when a fight has lasted longer than 90 seconds.
After dropping back-to-back defeats in 2021, 'Sandman' has bounced back in a big way of late with three wins in a row over Song Yadong, Marlon Vera and Rob Font – he has also teamed up with champion trainer Trevor Wittman for the first time for the fight in UAE.
Umar Nurmagomedov has earned top position for over 53% of his total fight time, the fourth highest amongst all active UFC fighters, and has a perfect 100% takedown defense.
Whilst the Russian prospect might be 17-0 heading into this weekend's main event, his first in the UFC, Sandhagen represents his toughest test to date in the octagon – and by some margin.
Nurmagomedov is currently 5-0 in the promotion with two wins coming by way of decision, two via submission (both RNC), and one via KO/TKO.
UFC Abu Dhabi, also referred to as UFC on ABC 7, goes down live from the Etihad Arena in the United Arab Emirates on Saturday, August 3.
