Monday 16 / September / 2024
UFC Fight Night: Sandhagen vs Nurmagomedov took place at the prestigious Etihad Arena in Abu Dhabi, organized by the Department of Culture and Tourism. This event highlighted the Middle Eastern fighters and marked a significant investment in sports to attract global audiences.
In a thrilling night of fights, Emirati fighter Mohammad Yahya received tremendous support from local fans but unfortunately lost his bout against Kauê Fernandes by TKO (strikes) at 4:45 of Round 1. Despite the loss, Yahya's participation underscored the growing talent and passion for MMA in the region.
Adding to the night's excitement, Shamil Gaziev from Bahrain, ranked #17 among Top Heavyweight MMA fighters, emerged victorious in his fight against Don’Tale Mayes, winning by unanimous decision (30-27, 30-27, 30-27). Gaziev's win highlights the rising prominence of Middle Eastern fighters on the global MMA stage.
A notable highlight of the event was the presence of MMA legend Khabib Nurmagomedov, who was there as the coach for Umar Nurmagomedov. Khabib's presence added a layer of prestige and inspiration, particularly for the fans and fighters from the Middle East.
The event's main card featured several compelling matches:
Main Event: Umar Nurmagomedov defeated Cory Sandhagen by unanimous decision (50-45, 49-46, 49-46)
Co-main Event: Shara Magomedov defeated Michal Oleksiejczuk by unanimous decision (30-27, 30-27, 29-28)
Deiveson Figueiredo defeated Marlon Vera by unanimous decision (29-28, 29-28, 30-27)
Michael Chiesa defeated Tony Ferguson by submission (rear-naked choke) at 3:44 of Round 1
Mackenzie Dern defeated Loopy Godinez by unanimous decision (29-28, 29-28, 29-28)
Joel Alvarez defeated Elves Brener by TKO (strikes) at 3:36 of Round 3
Azamat Murzakanov defeated Alonzo Menifield by KO (strikes) at 3:18 of Round 2
Kauê Fernandes defeated Mohammad Yahya by TKO (strikes) at 4:45 of Round 1
Shamil Gaziev defeated Don’Tale Mayes by unanimous decision (30-27, 30-27, 30-27)
Guram Kutateladze defeated Jordan Vucenic by unanimous decision (29-28, 29-28, 29-28)
Sam Hughes defeated Viktoriia Dudakova by split decision (27-30, 29-28, 29-28)
Jai Herbert defeated Rolando Bedoya by unanimous decision (30-27, 30-27, 29-28)
Sedriques Dumas defeated Denis Tiuliulin by unanimous decision (29-28, 29-28, 30-27)
The Department of Culture and Tourism's commitment to enhancing Abu Dhabi's sports landscape continues with the announcement of the next major event: UFC® 308: TOPURIA vs HOLLOWAY, scheduled for Saturday, October 26, at Etihad Arena, Yas Island. Organized by UFC and the Department of Culture and Tourism, this event will be part of the fan-favorite Abu Dhabi Showdown Week, a seven-day series of city-wide events featuring dedicated fan activities, live shows, and more.
Tickets for UFC® 308: TOPURIA vs HOLLOWAY are now available at https://tickets.etihadarena.ae/
For more information and updates, visit the official UFC website and stay tuned to the Department of Culture and Tourism's announcements.
