Dana White: Cory Sandhagen Vs. Umar Nurmagomedov Is No. 1 Contender Bout
In an announcement for the UFC Abu Dhabi main card UFC CEO Dana White labeled the main event between Cory Sandhagen and Umar Nurmagomedov as a No. 1 Contender bout. White posted his announcement video on X.
Sandhagen and Nurmagomedov have both been on a great run. Sandhagen, the No. 2 ranked bantamweight, has won three consecutive fights over Rob Font, Marlon Vera, and Yadong Song. That run re-entered his name into title conversations after dropping an interim title fight to Petr Yan.
Nurmagomedov is a perfect 5-0 in the UFC and is the best prospect in the bantamweight division. That said, he has not fought a ranked fighter and is taking a massive step up in competition. Still, he is the No. 10 ranked bantamweight and has quickly gained respect in the division.
It makes logical sense that this bout has been deemed a title eliminator. Sandhagen arguably already deserves a title opportunity and a win gets him over the hump. Meanwhile, Nurmagomedov’s title chase is less developed, but a win over Sandhagen is the type of victory that will throw him into the title picture.
The title of No. 1 contender will put the winner of the UFC Abu Dhabi main event in a position to fight Sean O’Malley or Merab Dvalishvili for the bantamweight championship. The current champion and top contender are not booked to fight, but that will be the next title fight.
The winner between Sandhagen and Nurmagomedov will likely have to wait until 2025 to cash in on their title shot, but securing it has to come first.
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