Umar Nurmagomedov routs Cory Sandhagen in UFC main event

Umar Nurmagomedov routs Cory Sandhagen in UFC main event

  • Brett Okamoto, ESPN Employees AuthorAug 3, 2024, 06:50 PM ET

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    • MMA columnist for ESPN.com
    • Analyst for “MMA Stay”
    • Lined MMA for Las Vegas Solar

In his first UFC predominant occasion, Umar Nurmagomedov soundly defeated Cory Sandhagen over the course of 25 minutes, and he did not even actually need to wrestle to do it.

Nurmagomedov (18-0), the youthful cousin of retired legend Khabib Nurmagomedov, earned a unanimous determination, profitable by scores of 50-45, 49-46 and 49-46. The No. 1 contender bout at 135 kilos headlined UFC Combat Evening on Saturday in Etihad Area in Abu Dhabi.

The victory virtually actually earns him a future title shot at 135 kilos, towards the winner of a September title struggle between champion Sean O’Malley and Merab Dvalishvili.

“I do not fear who’s going to win [between those two],” Nurmagomedov mentioned. “It does not matter. Simply give me title shot. O’Malley, Merab, another person, it does not matter. Now, discuss how I have not beat anyone. Cory was [ranked No. 2]. Now you may cry. I am coming for you.”

Wrestling was very a lot a part of Nurmagomedov’s recreation plan, because it at all times is, however he seemed greater than comfy towards Sandhagen (17-5) on the ft. Sandhagen, who’s seen as one of the crucial dynamic strikers within the division, did a wonderful job of stuffing takedowns and getting again to his ft in scrambles, however he had his fingers full on the ft.

Nurmagomedov countered Sandhagen effectively all 5 rounds, touchdown fast, explosive hooks on the within any time Sandhagen bought caught reaching. Sandhagen did effectively focusing on Nurmagomedov’s legs with kicks, however Nurmagomedov outstruck him 116-77 and bloodied his proper eye within the second spherical.

And virtually merely to take away any drama from the scorecards, Nurmagomedov transformed at the very least one takedown in all 5 rounds, often close to the tip of the body.

“I’ve to consider in my hanging,” Nurmagomedov mentioned. “Second spherical, I started to really feel that I can beat him within the hanging, too. And I did this.”

Nurmagomedov ought to fly up the bantamweight rankings with the victory. His older cousin Khabib was in his nook, in addition to his brother Usman Nurmagomedov, who’s an undefeated light-weight champion for Bellator MMA.