Sandhagen vs. Nurmagomedov: UFC Abu Dhabi Main Event Preview and Betting Prediction

Autor: Jeff Bottari | Crédito: Zuffa LLC via Getty Images Derechos de autor: 2023 Zuffa LLC

One of the most interesting UFC events of the summer is coming up this weekend in Abu Dhabi with a card full of awesome matchups across all weight classes. The main event will be a title eliminator bout between bantamweights. This Sandhagen vs Murmagomedov Prediction bout is going to be a showcase of some of the best all-around mixed martial arts skills in the world. A lengthy, crafty veteran of the game going up against the prodigy of the Nurmagomedov family, getting his first huge test.

Continue reading for an official Sandhagen vs. Nurmagomedov prediction before you place any bets on this event. We will go over the betting odds, and betting analysis, and explain the stylistic matchup that will take place in the octagon as well.

Sandhagen vs Nurmagomedov Information

Sandhagen vs Nurmagomedov

Location of the Fight: Etihad Arena, Abu Dhabi, United Arab Emirates

Date and Time: August 03, 2024 – 3:00 PM ET Main card starts

How to watch: ESPN+ and ABC

Sandhagen vs Murmagomedov Prediction Odds

According to the available UFC odds, Sandhagen is surprisingly a sizeable underdog at +250 heading into the weekend. He is also currently at +395 to win inside the distance, and +500 to win a decision. Those are massively valuable odds for someone at the level of Sandhagen.

The oddsmakers have a lot of faith in Nurmagomedov, having him at the -300 betting favorite going into his first test at the top of the division. He also has a lot of value to win inside the distance at +170, along with winning a decision at +125. You will have to make a specific prop bet on Nurmagomedov to get any real value.

Other lines to look at while making this Sandhagen vs. Nurmagomedov prediction are the over/under of 3.5 rounds and this fight being favored to go the distance at -125.

Sandhagen vs Murmagomedov Prediction Betting Preview

Cory Sandhagen:

Cory Sandhagen was doing WWE finishing moves during his open workout 😭🔥#UFCAbuDhabi #UFC #MMA pic.twitter.com/SHbvT3q3Yz

— Championship Rounds (@ChampRDS) July 31, 2024

Sandhagen is a 17-4 bantamweight with 10 finishes, currently ranked as the #2 contender in the world. He has won 4 post-fight bonuses in the UFC and is currently on a three-fight winning streak against top contenders.

Sandhagen is a 32-year-old switch stance fighter with a height of 5’11” and a reach of 70”. He is a freestyle fighter who averages 5.33 significant strikes landed and only 3.40 absorbed per minute in the UFC. While landing 1.36 takedowns per 15 minutes and having a 64% takedown defense.

Umar Nurmagomedov:

“I’ve prepared a lot of things too, so we’ll see.”

Umar Nurmagomedov (@UNmgdv) is ready for whatever comes his way in his main event matchup against Cory Sandhagen at #UFCAbuDhabi

— UFC News (@UFCNews) July 31, 2024

Nurmagomedov, the cousin of UFC legend Khabib Nurmagomedov, stands as the prodigy of the family. He grew up under the wing of Khabib, Islam Makhachev, and their whole team. He holds the #10 rank in the UFC bantamweight division and maintains an undefeated 17-0 professional MMA record, with 9 finishes.

Nurmagomedov is a 5’8” orthodox who switches stances quite a bit, measuring in with a 69” reach as well. In the octagon, he averages 4.75 significant strikes landed per minute while absorbing an incredibly low 0.56 strikes per minute. He lands 4.51 takedowns per 15 minutes at a 56% rate and has a 100% takedown defense.

AI Betting Picks

Over/Under – o3.5 rounds (-205)

Money line – Cory Sandhagen (+250)

When two UFC fighters of this caliber meet in the octagon, it’s a treat for the fans and so important for the sport. This is a very difficult fight to predict, but this UFC AI pick will be more logical.

Two big factors are going into this pick:

We haven’t seen any Umar Nurmagomedov fights against the elite in the world
These Cory Sandhagen odds are too good to pass up.

The official Sandhagen vs. Nurmagomedov prediction is that Sandhagen will pull off the big underdog victory and set himself up for a massive title fight early in 2025.

Nurmagomedov is undoubtedly a world-level talent who will most likely be a world champion at some point. As a sports bettor, it’s impossible to pass up these underdog odds for a guy like Sandhagen.

Sandhagen has the footwork, the accuracy, the craftiness, and the all-around skill to make it an awful night for Nurmagomedov. Nurmagomedov has been hurt and has shown some weakness against much lower-level fighters than he will be seeing on Saturday.

The growth and evolution of Sandhagen should give confidence in his ability to figure out a way to get his hand raised against Nurmagomedov. This isn’t just a numbers bet, it’s arguable that Sandhagen is potentially the best bantamweight on the planet right now, up there with Sean O’Malley.

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