Umar Nurmagomedov extended his unbeaten record to 18-0 with a unanimous decision victory over Cory Sandhagen at UFC Abu Dhabi. The Russian, who is Khabib’s cousin, was the better man throughout at the Etihad Arena, with the scorecards reading 50-45, 49-46, 49-46. Also on the card, Shara Magomedov defeated Michal Oleksiejczuk by unanimous decision, while Michael Chiesa submitted Tony Ferguson.

Umar Nurmagomedov boosted his hopes of a shot at the bantamweight title after a victory over Cory Sandhagen by unanimous decision at UFC Abu Dhabi.

Umar Nurmagomedov of Russia celebrates after defeating Cory Sandhagen in a bantamweight fight during the UFC Fight Night event at Etihad Arena on August 03, 2024 in Abu Dhabi, United Arab Emirates.

The Russian, Khabib’s cousin, extended his unbeaten record to 18-0 with the victory, and he comfortably beat his American opponent on the scorecards, which read 50-45, 49-46, 49-46 at the Etihad Arena.

Nurmagomedov, headlining a UFC event for the first time on the promotion, came into the fight in good form having beaten Bekzat Almakhan by unanimous decision in March at UFC Fight Night in Las Vegas, and Sandhagen was equally confident arriving in the Middle East, having won his last three bouts.

But it was Nurmagomedov, who produced an excellent performance to overcome a man ranked two in the bantamweight division, and his attentions will now turn to a potential title fight against the belt holder Sean O’Malley.

The opening rounds were close as both fighters sought to feel each other out, with plenty of nervy kicking, before Nurmagomedov made his move for a big takedown in the second round, in search of Sandhagen’s neck, but the American snuffed it out in the nick of time.

Nurmagomedov switched stances in the third, and more grappling ensued, with another scramble being ended by the horn as Nurmagomedov looked for the finish.

Sandhagen sought to be the aggressor in the fourth, immediately taking up the centre of the Octagon, but he was rewarded with a big left from his opponent before another one-two combination as both fighters displayed their boxing abilities, but it was Nurmagomedov who was in the ascendancy.

The fifth had plenty of scrambles within it, but it was Nurmagomedov who would finish the stronger, sat on top of his opponent, raining down punches, but Sandhagen clung on to hear the final horn.”He was more hard than I expected,” Nurmagomedov said. “He was really tough.

“I think I deserved the win today. I feel like I beat him in every single round. I tried to take him down, but he had good defence.

“I had to believe in my striking; in the second round I began to feel that I could beat him in striking too. I did that.

“It doesn’t matter who’s going to be next. Just give me the title shot. O’Malley, Merab [Dvalishvili], someone else. It doesn’t matter. I’m here. Now guys, talk about how I beat nobody. Cory was No. 2. Now, you can cry. I’m coming for you.”

Sandhagen was gracious in defeat in his post-fight interview in the Octagon.

“He’s real good; I knew he was going to be real good,” he said.

“He beat me tonight. There’s nothing more I can do about it. Congrats to him. He’s a very, very good fighter. I’ll see him again. He’s going to fight for the belt next. He’ll probably win, and then I’ll catch up to him and fight him again.”

Also on the card, Shara Magomedov and Deiveson Figueiredo defeated Michal Oleksiejczuk and Marlon Vera via unanimous decision respectively, while Tony Ferguson was submitted by Michael Chiesa in the first round.

Joel Alvarez recorded the only knockout on the main card with his TKO finish against Elves Brener in the third round, while Mackenzie Dern beat Loopy Godinez by unanimous decision.