UFC Abu Dhabi: Nurmagomedov Beats Sandhagen and Full Results

Umar Nurmagomedov strengthened his bantamweight title case with a unanimous decision over Cory Sandhagen at Etihad Arena in Abu Dhabi on August 3, 2024. The five-round headliner capped a 13-fight event that also featured victories for Shara Magomedov, Deiveson Figueiredo and Michael Chiesa. Here is how the main stories unfolded, followed by the complete card results.

Nurmagomedov passes a major bantamweight test

Sandhagen represented an important step up for Nurmagomedov, bringing experience against leading contenders and a varied attacking game. Nurmagomedov won on all three scorecards: 50–45, 49–46 and 49–46. The outcome moved his professional record to 18–0 and made his demand for a championship opportunity more substantial.

This was a different kind of statement from a quick finish. Across five rounds, Nurmagomedov had to work against an experienced opponent who could make adjustments. The scorecards confirmed a clear victory, and the main event gave the division a stronger basis for evaluating him among its leading challengers.

Figueiredo and Chiesa add important victories

Figueiredo defeated Marlon Vera by unanimous decision, continuing his successful move from flyweight to bantamweight. A card led by Sandhagen and Nurmagomedov therefore produced another consequential result at 135 pounds. Both winners left Abu Dhabi with stronger arguments for their next opportunities.

Chiesa submitted Tony Ferguson with a rear-naked choke in the opening round. The win ended Chiesa’s three-fight losing streak and gave him an emphatic return to the win column. For Ferguson, the result extended a difficult run, with the post-fight attention also reflecting his earlier achievements and the uncertainty surrounding his next step.

Decisions, stoppages and the rest of the card

Magomedov took a unanimous decision over Michal Oleksiejczuk in the co-main event. Mackenzie Dern also won on the scorecards against Loopy Godinez, while Joel Alvarez stopped Elves Brener in the third round. The main card combined contenders building momentum with experienced names seeking to reset their careers.

The preliminaries included stoppage wins for Azamat Murzakanov and Kauê Fernandes, alongside decisions across heavyweight, lightweight, strawweight and middleweight. Those early bouts are part of the event’s record, rather than an afterthought to the headliner. The full results below include every contest, with the official decision scores and the round and time of each finish.

Complete event results

• Umar Nurmagomedov def. Cory Sandhagen — unanimous decision (50–45, 49–46, 49–46).
• Shara Magomedov def. Michal Oleksiejczuk — unanimous decision (30–27, 30–27, 29–28).
• Deiveson Figueiredo def. Marlon Vera — unanimous decision (29–28, 29–28, 30–27).
• Michael Chiesa def. Tony Ferguson — submission (rear-naked choke), Round 1, 3:44.
• Mackenzie Dern def. Loopy Godinez — unanimous decision (29–28, 29–28, 29–28).
• Joel Alvarez def. Elves Brener — TKO (strikes), Round 3, 3:36.
• Azamat Murzakanov def. Alonzo Menifield — KO (strikes), Round 2, 3:18.
• Kauê Fernandes def. Mohammad Yahya — TKO (strikes), Round 1, 4:45.
• Shamil Gaziev def. Don’Tale Mayes — unanimous decision (30–27, 30–27, 30–27).
• Guram Kutateladze def. Jordan Vucenic — unanimous decision (29–28, 29–28, 29–28).
• Sam Hughes def. Viktoriia Dudakova — split decision (29–28, 29–28, 27–30).
• Jai Herbert def. Rolando Bedoya — unanimous decision (30–27, 30–27, 29–28).
• Sedriques Dumas def. Denis Tiuliulin — unanimous decision (29–28, 29–28, 30–27).

Sources

• UFC: main-card results and report
• UFC: preliminary results and report
• UFC: official scorecards
• MMA Fighting: complete event results

Sources: ufc.com

Tags

MMA, Combat Sports