The MMA community is eagerly awaiting a thrilling encounter this Saturday as Abu Dhabi gears up to host UFC Fight Night at the Etihad Arena. The headline event will feature American fighter Cory Sandhagen, renowned for his striking abilities and versatile combat techniques, facing off against the unbeaten Umar Nurmagomedov, who boasts a remarkable 17-0 record. Nurmagomedov, who previously claimed Performance of the Night against Sergey Morozov in January 2021 during his first visit to the UAE, is also excited about returning to Abu Dhabi to fight in front of a supportive audience. "It's a significant responsibility, but I'm genuinely pleased to be fighting here again. I feel excellent – really great. Our goal is to win," Nurmagomedov stated, further expressing his belief that this fight could pave the way for a title bout. "We'll see. I'm not certain, but I hope the next fight will be for the title."

Sandhagen is making his third appearance in Abu Dhabi, having secured a victory against Marlon Moraes in October 2021 followed by a loss to Petr Yan a year later. The 32-year-old from Colorado is eager to deliver an exceptional performance in front of the UAE crowd. "Fighting in Abu Dhabi is always a fantastic experience; the respect here is palpable," he noted. "I believe I'll be able to display many of my skills that aren't typically seen in my fights. I'm celebrated for my striking, which I love to demonstrate, but I also get to show other aspects of my game. I'm really looking forward to that," he added, viewing this fight as a potential No1 contender bout. "If I win this, I don't see how they can overlook me for a title shot."

In the co-main event, spectators can anticipate another riveting middleweight clash between Shara Magomedov and Michał Oleksiejczuk, who is aiming to break his streak of consecutive losses. "My preparation mirrors that of my last fight," he explained. "I train daily, and my training has been extremely rigorous. I'm prepared for this fight. My plan and strategy are straightforward; I aim to knock out my opponent." Magomedov, who defeated Bruno Silva at UFC 294 in Abu Dhabi last year, added: "This is my second fight here. I feel even better than the first time. I had more time to adapt, overcome jet lag, and adjust to the time zone. I'll do everything in my power to make it a thrilling fight and showcase my skills. I always prepare for all three rounds, but the fight could conclude at any moment. I'm ready for anything."