UFC Fight Night: Sandhagen vs. Nurmagomedov

The official Tapology discussion thread for the event!

Cory should show that there's levels to this, Umar's been given his rank because of his last name. He's beaten nobody near the level of some of the guys that Cory has beaten. Cory in his last two fights has shown that he is an competent wrestler already, and is going to be more than aware of the threat Umar possesses with his grappling. His striking is also superb. Being able to stand and bang with fighters like Song, Yan, Dillashaw (albiet not in his prime), Moraes (when he wasn't as cooked), and Vera is a significantly greater feat than Umar has ever pulled off during his career. Cory will likely be able to keep Umar off of him long enough to let the hands and feet go, and probably even finish him.

There's always a chance Umar could do it. And if he does, good job. But I severely doubt he's ready for the level of competition he's about to face in Sandhagen. 

Sandhagen vs. Nurmagomedov
Umar Nurmagomedov, DEC
thank you ufc for having another international card

This is a VERY competitive fight. Insinuating Corey is on some completely higher level skill wise is crazy. Umar absolutely starched Barcelos, who's a good fighter that had never been KOd before. These guys are on the same level. The only advantage Corey has is 5 round experience. I personally have 0 doubts Umar can fight for 25 minutes but it's still a question mark until we see it. 

I think we seen umar fade in his last fight. Corey won’t so if he stops himself from getting subbed he should have a chance to win the later rounds 

fade? he got knocked down, recovered & dominated every second of every round afterwards, you call that him fading?

@jeffferson 

Cory is my favorite bantamweight fighter but you're not giving the Umar fight to someone who you wish to fight for your title. I don't even mean due to the fact that Umar is tough match-up stylistically for the majority of the division, I mean it seems there's lack of interest from the UFC to put Cory in that spot and at the end of the day that matters more than most things. I'm not saying that can't change but for now it almost look like the same **** they were pulling with Dariush. obviously there are differences but if we are looking at rankings, are you getting a title shot after beating the number 9 and the number 10 guy in the division? I don't care how hot of a prospect someone is. Yadong was a huge prospect and it didn't matter. Cory whooped Chito and Chito ended up with a title shot after that. based on what, boring Munhoz to death? he got it cause he was the safest fight for Sean out of the top of that division and there was some story there. 

bottom line is that I never said that Cory doesn't deserve it, I hope that he becomes the champ by the end of the year, all I said was that you don't book someone to fight Umar Nurmagomedov in Abu Dhabi for whom you have best wishes and title aspirations. 

Sandhagen vs. Nurmagomedov
Umar Nurmagomedov, DEC
Just can't bring myself to actually pick against a Nurmagomedov in Abu Dhabi.

There are another 20 Umar's in Dagestan right now. There will never be another Cory Sandhagen.

Sandhagen vs. Nurmagomedov
Cory Sandhagen, DEC
Cory probably wins every round and gets robbed.

Close-ish decision for Umar, will be slightly questionable but unanimous nevertheless.

Cory by comfortable decision, by round 4 Umar will be doing everything in his power just to survive. Cory has improved leaps and bounds in recent years and Umar is the same old fighter hes always been.

Main Card (Bottom to Top):

Kevin Holland vs Geoff Neal
Azamat Murzakanov vs Anthony Smith
Josh Emmett vs Movsar Evloev
Yan vs Figgy
Co-main:Albazi vs Royval (5 rounds which is super necessary given it could be a No.1 contender fight)
Main Event:Cory vs Umar (5 rounds)

Few prelim fights in mind:

Featured:Mohammad Yahya vs Brendon Marotte
Youssef Zalal vs Kyle Nelson
Ottman Azaitar vs Darius Flowers

* Edited at 05.09.2024, 3:16 PM ET *

@qais99 

Smith should fight up in the rankings, he just beat an undefeated prospect why would he fight another lmao.

Sandhagen vs. Nurmagomedov
Umar Nurmagomedov, SUB, R2
umar sub rd 2

 Sandhagen vs. Nurmagomedov
Umar submission rnd 2
i think this fight will be like shavkat vs wonderboy 

kinda sucks that if umar wins this his rise to the title will be one win against cory then getting a title shot make it hard to get hyped for a fight between him and O'malley 

(plz cory flying knee this dude, do it for us gingers)

Sandhagen vs. Nurmagomedov
Cory Sandhagen, DEC
Cory's such a strategist he's somehow gonna make only having an inch in height & 2-3 in in reach a dealbreaker here. He's also gonna have the gas tank to take this into the later rounds & drag Umar into deep waters. Could even see a late TKO for him here but I'll ride w/ a DEC for now. Hopefully title shot next!