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UFC president Dana White introduced the principle card for UFC Abu Dhabi on August 3, and it options the return of a fan-favorite.
The cardboard might be headlined by a number-one contender battle between bantamweights Cory Sandhagen and Umar Nurmagomedov. The co-main occasion will characteristic the return of veteran welterweight Nick Diaz in opposition to Vicente Luque.
There might be different thrilling fights on the remainder of the principle card. Former bantamweight title challenger Marlon “Chito” Vera might be taking over former flyweight champion Deiveson Figueiredo, who’s undefeated since transferring as much as 135 kilos. There may also be an intriguing strawweight matchup between Mackenzie Dern and Crazy Godinez. The cardboard might be opened by a welterweight matchup between Michael Chiesa and Tony Ferguson. White famous that this may very well be the ultimate battle of Ferguson’s legendary profession.
Diaz might be combating for the primary time since his third-round TKO loss to Robbie Lawler at UFC 266 in September 2021. That battle was his first look within the Octagon since 2015. The previous Strikeforce and WEC welterweight champion might be 41 years previous when he faces Luque, who’s 32 years previous and identified for his thrilling combating model.
The primary occasion will decide the subsequent contender for Sean O’Malley’s bantamweight championship. O’Malley is anticipated to defend his title in opposition to Merab Dvalishvili later this 12 months. Sandhagen is driving a three-fight win streak into the matchup in opposition to Nurmagomedov, who’s the cousin of legendary light-weight Khabib Nurmagomedov and has an undefeated report of 17-0.
The August 3 card would be the UFC’s nineteenth go to to Abu Dhabi and its first since UFC 294 this previous October.
