Sandhagen vs Nurmagomedov Prediction, Fight Odds & Tips - UFC Fight Night
| Timetable | 06.00 GMT, 4th Aug 2024 |
| Prediction | Umar Nurmagomedov to Win! |
| Odds | @1.41 |
| Bookmaker | Betalright Sport |
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The Ultimate Fighting Championship returns to Abu Dhabi next week with its latest Fight Night promotion, marking the promotion’s 19th visit to the region. The headline bout here will see underdog Cory Sandhagen taken on the undefeated Umar Nurmagomedov in an elimination bout for the UFC bantamweight title, with a packed crowd expected at the Etihad Arena. The former GF Bantamweight champion Nurmagomedov is a heavy and deserved betting favourite here, but his game opponent is on a three-fight winning streak and outpointed Rob Font last time out. But can Sandhagen spring the mother of all surprises in the Middle East?
🥊Sandhagen vs Nurmagomedov Betting Odds
Nurmagomedov defeated Bekzat Almakhan by unanimous decision on March 2nd in Las Vegas, extending his career unbeaten streak to 17 bouts. So, he’s the understandable favourite to win this title eliminator, with his average odds of 1.41 implying a 70.92% probability of a victory for the ‘Young Eagle’. Conversely, underdog Sandhagen can be backed at around 2.90, suggesting that he has just a 34.48% chance of emerging victorious on August 3rd.
| Fighter |  |  |  |  |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Cory Sandhagen to Win | 2.88 | 2.90 | 2.90 | 2.90 |
| Umar Nurmagomedov to Win | 1.40 | 1.41 | 1.41 | 1.41 |
🏆Sandhagen vs. Nurmagomedov Prediction
This is yet another classic puncher vs grappler encounter, with Sandhagen boasting a much higher knockout percentage than his opponent. He’s also a slightly cleaner and more accurate striker, while his ability to seamlessly switch between stances should at least keep his opponent guessing during the bout.
Nurmagomedov will also have to guard against Sandhagen’s kicking arsenal, which is often deployed following pinpoint, spinning attacks. Such moves are usually augmented by impressive punch combinations, and despite his immense durability and shot resistance, the Young Eagle won’t want to let his opponent become comfortable on his feet.
The challenge for Sandhagen is effectively getting into range to mount such attacks, as doing so puts him at the mercy of Nurmagomedov’s formidable grappling game. The Sandman’s chances of winning are virtually nil if he’s forced to spend significant portions of the fight on the ground, as this will enable his opponent to dominate throughout (remember, he has either submitted or outpointed 88% of his career adversaries).
Remember, Sandhagen was submitted by Aljamain Sterling at UFC 250 too, via Nurmagomedov’s preferred rear-naked choke. Conversely, the Young Eagle has never been beaten never mind stopped, while he landed an impressive 73.60% of his 197 attempted strikes when defeating Bekzat Almakhan in March.
So, although it may take a round or so for Nurmagomedov to figure out Sandhagen, I’m predicting him to record another dominant win here (either by late submission or unanimous decision).
My Prediction: 🏆Umar Nurmagomedov to Win
🚀Cory Sandhagen Overview
Cory, ‘The Sandman’ Sandhagen, has contested 21 MMA bouts during his career, winning an impressive 17 of these and losing on four occasions. He has won 10 and lost three of his 13 fights in the UFC, with his most recent defeat being inflicted by Petr Yan at UFC 267 on October 30th, 2021.
While this bout also saw him unsuccessfully challenge for the interim Bantamweight Championship, Sandhagen has rebounded with three straight wins. He earned a late doctor stoppage over Song Yadong in September 2022 before grinding his way to a tight split decision against Marlon Vera at a UFC on ESPN event. Last time out, he earned a unanimous decision win over Rob Font, who stepped in after Nurmagomedov pulled out of their first scheduled meeting with a shoulder injury.
The Sandman is a decent striker, having won seven of his 17 MMA bouts via way of knockout (41.17%). Just three of his victories have been achieved by submitting an opponent (17.64%), so it’s crucial that he stays on his feet here and regularly switches between orthodox and southpaw stances (which remains one of his key strengths).
Sandhagen is also known for his ability to land clean and precise shots, and there’s no doubt that earning a stoppage is his best chance of defeating the formidable Nurmagomedov. He has a slightly longer reach than his opponent, too (70 inches vs 69 inches), potentially enabling him to retain a safe distance while he looks to land accurately.
⭐Umar Nurmagomedov Overview
Umar Nurmagomedov is the cousin of the legendary Khabib, and the former’s fighting style makes it apparent that the two fighters have previously trained together. Make no mistake: the Young Eagle is a tough, skilled and accomplished grappler, who regularly submits opponents with his trademark rear-naked choke. Overall, Nurmagomedov has won all 17 of his career MMA bouts, including five in the UFC. Seven of these have been achieved by way of submission (41.17%), while a further eight have been awarded by the judges. He has knocked out just two of his opponents (11.76%), although it stands to reason that Nurmagomedov has never once been stopped by an opponent.
A former bantamweight champion with two separate MMA promotions, Nurmagomedov has arguably fought a higher calibre of opponents than Sandhagen, too. The Sandman has twice fallen short at the world level as well, against Petr Yan for the interim bantamweight belt and in a previous eliminator vs Aljamain Sterling at UFC 250 on June 6th, 2020.
Interestingly, each of Nurmagomedov’s eight decision wins has been awarded unanimously, highlighting his imposing fight style and ability to physically dominate opponents at the weight. So, despite currently being ranked as the world’s sixth-best fighter and bantamweight, he’s arguably the most dangerous operator within this category.
💎Sandhagen vs Nurmagomedov Betting Offers
While the Sandman’s record is less impressive than his opponents, he has still won 81% of his career MMA bouts and has more than a puncher’s chance against Nurmagomedov. Regardless of which fighter you’re backing, however, I’d recommend that you check out the latest bonuses and free bet offers from Ireland’s best betting sites.
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❓Frequently Asked Questions about Sandhagen vs Nurmagomedov Fight
1️⃣ When is the Cory Sandhagen vs. Umar Nurmagomedov Fight?
This UFC Fight Night card will start with the preliminary bouts at around 23:30 GMT on Saturday, 3rd August. However, the main card gets underway at 03:00 on Sunday, 4th August, with Sandhagen and Nurmagomedov expected to eventually do battle at around 06:00.
2️⃣ Where Can I Watch the Cory Sandhagen vs. Umar Nurmagomedov Fight?
ABC and ESPN+ have broadcasting rights for this bout in the US and global markets. However, you can watch both the preliminary and main card events (including the Sandhagen vs. Nurmagomedov bout) on TNT Sports Live if you reside in Ireland or the UK.
3️⃣ Who Else is on the Main Card?
The main card also features the intriguing middleweight clash between Sharabutdin Magomedov and Michał Oleksiejczuk, while Tony Ferguson will do battle with Michael Chiesa at Welterweight. The tough Mackenzie Dern will also take on Loopy Godinez in what could a thrilling bout in the women’s Strawweight class. Marlon Vera’s fight against Deiveson Figueiredo will complete the main card and also take place at Bantamweight.
4️⃣Are There Any Other Sandhagen vs. Nurmagomedov Betting Markets?
While Sandhagen is an impressive striker, I don’t expect him to stop Nurmagomedov or realistically come close. Similarly, the Young Eagle has a low knockout rate and tends to win via submission or decision, so there’s value in backing this fight to either go the distance or last over 4.5 rounds.
✒️ Lewis Humphries – Sports Betting Expert
Lewis Humphries is an experienced sports writer and tipster from the UK. He writes regularly about UFC, horse racing, football events, and other competitions, regularly delivering expert match predictions and betting insights. Lewis doesn't just stick to sports; you can also find plenty of casino gaming content. He's reviewed some of the world's leading online casino platforms while creating blog posts and landing page content for various sports betting brands.
