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UFC Abu Dhabi is scheduled to take place at the Etihad Arena in the United Arab Emirates this weekend (Saturday, Aug. 13). The upcoming Fight Night event marks the promotion's first visit to Abu Dhabi since UFC 294 in October 2023, and will feature a bantamweight matchup between Cory Sandhagen and Umar Nurmagomedov as the main event.
Originally, both fighters were slated to compete at UFC Nashville in August 2023. However, Nurmagomedov had to withdraw from the event just weeks before due to a shoulder injury. As a result, Sandhagen fought and triumphed over late-replacement Rob Font. Unfortunately, he sustained a significant tear in his right tricep during the fight, which kept him out of action until now.
In the co-main event of UFC Abu Dhabi, Shara Magomedov will face Michal Oleksiejczuk in a short-notice middleweight bout. This matchup was arranged after the originally scheduled co-headliner between Nick Diaz and Vicente Luque was postponed earlier in the month due to travel complications affecting one of the fighters.
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UFC Abu Dhabi: Which songs did Cory Sandhagen and Umar Nurmagomedov walk out to?
Cory Sandhagen has crafted a signature entrance, consistently making his way to the octagon to the energetic beats of the classic rap anthem 'Gimme the Loot' by the legendary Notorious B.I.G.
However, in his last UFC appearance against Rob Font, 'Sandman' deviated from tradition. Instead of his usual entrance anthem, he walked out to the soulful tune 'Fly Like an Eagle' by Seal.
Meanwhile, Umar Nurmagomedov, boasting an undefeated 5-0 record in the octagon, has quickly positioned himself as a leading contender in the title race with his dominant performances. For every one of his UFC fights, Nurmagomedov has maintained a consistent tradition, entering the octagon to the lively rhythms of 'Georgian Dance Music' by Mtiuluri Xevsuruli Texili (Caucasus Kavkaz Traditional Lezginka).
With an unblemished 2-0 record in the UFC, Shara Magomedov is determined to maintain his undefeated streak and make his mark on the division. In his promotional debut at UFC 294, 'Bullet' made a memorable entrance, walking out to the beats of 'Legendary 2' by the iconic American rapper Tupac.
Among the other entrance songs selected by a fighter on the card is 'The Party Has Just Begun' by Freestyle, a track famously associated with veteran Tony Ferguson. 'El Cucuy' will be determined to break his seven-fight losing streak and is aiming to end his storied career on a high note as he faces Michael Chiesa in a welterweight bout.
Check out the potential walkout songs for other fighters on the UFC Abu Dhabi fight card:
Marlon Vera: 'The Madness' by Action Bronson
Deiveson Figueiredo: 'Bandoleros' by Don Omar feat. Tego Calderon
Michael Chiesa: 'Stranglehold' Ted Nugent
Mackenzie Dern: 'Righteous' by Hippie Sabotage
Loopy Godinez: 'Vengan A Calarse' by Ariel Armado Macías Madrid
Who else is fighting at UFC Abu Dhabi?
In the main event, Cory Sandhagen will face off against Umar Nurmagomedov in what is very likely a bantamweight title eliminator bout. Originally, both fighters were slated to compete at UFC Nashville in August 2023. However, Nurmagomedov had to withdraw from the event just weeks before due to a shoulder injury.
As a result, Sandhagen fought and triumphed over late-replacement Rob Font. Unfortunately, he sustained a significant tear in his right tricep during the fight, which kept him out of action until now.
'The Sandman' has consistently been one of the top-ranked 135-pounders in the UFC and has been driven by his mission to secure a UFC belt. He is currently riding a three-fight winning streak with impressive victories over Song Yadong, Marlon Vera, and Rob Font.
Meanwhile, Nurmagomedov has lived up to expectations in his first five octagon appearances, though his progress has been somewhat hampered by injuries. He returned from a 13-month hiatus this past March, securing a hard-fought unanimous decision victory over debutant Bekzat Almakhan.
In the co-main event of UFC Abu Dhabi, Shara Magomedov will face Michal Oleksiejczuk in a short-notice middleweight bout. This matchup was arranged after the originally scheduled co-headliner between Nick Diaz and Vicente Luque was postponed earlier in the month due to travel complications affecting one of the fighters.
Magomedov is making his return to the octagon fresh off a third-round knockout victory over Antonio Trocoli at UFC Saudi Arabia last month. 'Bullet' has now secured two consecutive wins since joining the UFC, building on his debut victory against Bruno Silva at UFC 294.
On the other hand, Oleksiejczuk enters this fight after back-to-back first-round submission losses, first to Michel Pereira at UFC 299 and then to Kevin Holland at UFC 302 last month. Despite being a mainstay in the 185-pound division since 2017, 'Hussar' has struggled for consistency in his results. He currently holds a 3-4 record in his last seven octagon appearances.
The UFC has assembled an impressive lineup of bouts featuring a dynamic mix of seasoned veterans, including former interim lightweight champion Tony Ferguson and Michael Chiesa, alongside promising emerging prospects from the Middle Eastern region.
Check out the full UFC Abu Dhabi card here:
