Mar 5, 2022; Las Vegas, Nevada, UNITED STATES; Umar Nurmagomedov (blue gloves) celebrates after defeating Brian Kelleher (not pictured) during UFC 272 at T-Mobile Arena. Mandatory Credit: Stephen R. Sylvanie-USA TODAY Sports
- UFC heads to Abu Dhabi this Saturday (Aug. 3) for an afternoon Fight Night card
- Cory Sandhagen vs. Umar Nurmagomedov headlines the main event at bantamweight
- Read on for UFC Abu Dhabi odds, predictions and best bets for August 3rd
UFC Fight Night returns to Abu Dhabi this Saturday, August 3rd with an afternoon of enticing fights live from the Etihad Arena. The event is headlined by a pivotal bantamweight clash between top contenders Cory Sandhagen and Umar Nurmagomedov that could determine the next title challenger at 135 pounds.
The main card starts at 3pm ET/12pm PT and will air on ABC and ESPN+, while the preliminary card begins at 12pm ET/9am PT on ESPN2 and ESPN+.
As always, we’ve got you covered with a full betting preview, including analysis and picks for the biggest fights on the card.
UFC Abu Dhabi Odds- Main Card
| Fighter | Odds | Over/Under Rounds |
|---|---|---|
| Joel Alvarez | -166 | O 1.5 -166 |
| Elves Brener | +140 | U 1.5 +130 |
| Fighter | Odds | Over/Under Rounds |
| Mackenzie Dern | -120 | O 2.5 -260 |
| Loopy Godinez | +100 | U 2.5 +195 |
| Fighter | Odds | Over/Under Rounds |
| Tony Ferguson | +440 | O 2.5 -120 |
| Michael Chiesa | -600 | U 2.5 -110 |
| Fighter | Odds | Over/Under Rounds |
| Marlon Vera | +120 | O 2.5 -298 |
| Deiveson Figueiredo | -142 | U 2.5 +220 |
| Fighter | Odds | Over/Under Rounds |
| Shara Magomedov | -258 | O 1.5 -130 |
| Michal Oleksiejczuk | +210 | U 1.5 +100 |
| Fighter | Odds | Over/Under Rounds |
| Cory Sandhagen | +270 | O 4.5 -140 |
| Umar Nurmagomedov | -340 | U 4.5 +110 |
The latest UFC Abu Dhabi odds show Michael Chiesa as the heaviest favorite on the main card with -600 odds in his bout with Tony Ferguson. That’s a strong 85.7% implied chance of winning.
Odds as of August 2, 2024, at DraftKings Sportsbook. Check out the best betting promo codes for UFC Abu Dhabi.
Cory Sandhagen vs Umar Nurmagomedov Prediction
This is a classic striker vs. grappler matchup between two of the best bantamweights in the world. Cory Sandhagen (#2) is a dynamic kickboxer with a varied arsenal of strikes and slick footwork. He’s coming off impressive decision wins over Rob Font, Marlon Vera and Song Yadong.
However, Sandhagen has had some trouble with high-level wrestlers in the past, suffering losses to Petr Yan and TJ Dillashaw. That could spell trouble against Umar Nurmagomedov (#10), a dominant grappler with a relentless pace and pressure. The cousin of UFC legend Khabib is undefeated at 17-0 with five straight wins in the Octagon.
The oddsmakers have Nurmagomedov as a sizeable -340 favorite, with Sandhagen coming back at +250. While I give Sandhagen a chance to keep this standing with his technical striking and movement, Nurmagomedov’s wrestling will likely be too much over five rounds. The pick is Nurmy by unanimous decision.
Shara Magomedov vs Michal Oleksiejczuk Prediction
Undefeated middleweight prospect Shara Magomedov (13-0) looks to continue his rise up the rankings against battle-tested veteran Michal Oleksiejczuk (19-8).
Magomedov is a dangerous striker with 10 KOs on his record, but he’s shown some holes in his takedown defense. Oleksiejczuk is a powerful puncher in his own right but has been submitted in five of his eight losses.
This feels like a fight where Magomedov’s speed and technique on the feet will be the difference. He’s the deserved -240 favorite, and I expect him to snag a TKO victory in the second half of the bout as he drags Oleksiejczuk into deep waters.
Tony Ferguson vs Michael Chiesa Prediction
It’s do-or-die time for Tony Ferguson as the former interim lightweight champ tries to snap a seven-fight skid against Michael Chiesa in a welterweight contest.
Islam Makhachev on Tony Ferguson:
“It’s time for him to retire, this guy is crazy, I wish him all the best and I hope he wins tomorrow” pic.twitter.com/zkeCwBw1J6
— 𝕽𝖆𝖎𝖓𝖒𝖆𝖐𝖊𝖗❂ (@Sa_Gwang) August 2, 2024
At age 40, Ferguson has taken a worrying amount of damage in recent years and you have to wonder how much he has left. The move to 170 pounds could help his durability, but Chiesa will have significant size and grappling advantages.
I hate to say it, but this feels like the end of the road for El Cucuy. Chiesa’s not the most exciting fighter but he’s durable and savvy enough to get Ferguson to the mat and find a submission. The price is steep at -750 but Chiesa to win inside the distance at +275 looks like a solid bet.
Other Main Card Picks
- Marlon Vera vs. Deiveson Figueiredo: Figueiredo by late submission (+700)
- Makhmud Muradov vs. Gerald Meerschaert: Muradov by decision (-140)
- Adam Fugitt vs. Karol Rosa: Fugitt inside the distance (+135)
Best Bets for the Prelims
The undercard has some intriguing matchups for dedicated degenerates. Here are a few spots I’m eyeing:
- Azim Nurov ML (-250): Hyped debutant has legit wrestling chops but is untested against UFC competition
- Ilya Kotov (+210): Live dog with slick submissions if he can drag Nurov into his world
- Viktoriia Dudakova ML (-175): Undefeated Russian is a physical beast for the division
- Jai Herbert-Rolando Bedoya Over 2.5 Rounds (-180): Expect a technical kickboxing match that hits the cards
Brady is the lead NHL and College Football editor at Sports Betting Dime, where he specializes in betting odds and data-driven analysis. Brady has over 10 years experience working in sports media, with work published by outlets such as ESPN, CBS Sports, Yahoo! Sports and Fox Sports.
The UFC is heading to Abu Dhabi for an exciting event featuring a bantamweight showdown between top contenders Cory Sandhagen and Magomed Magomedov. With both fighters looking to make a statement and climb the ranks in the division, this fight promises to be a thrilling matchup for fans and bettors alike.
When it comes to betting on this fight, there are several factors to consider. Let’s take a closer look at the odds, predictions, and props for this highly anticipated bout.
First up, let’s examine the odds for this fight. As of now, Cory Sandhagen is the favorite with odds of -150, while Magomed Magomedov is the underdog with odds of +130. This means that a $150 bet on Sandhagen would net you a $100 profit, while a $100 bet on Magomedov would net you a $130 profit.
In terms of predictions, this fight is expected to be a close one. Sandhagen is known for his striking ability and has a significant height and reach advantage over Magomedov. However, Magomedov is a talented wrestler with a strong ground game, which could pose problems for Sandhagen. Ultimately, this fight could go either way, making it a tough one to predict.
When it comes to props, there are several options to consider. You could bet on the method of victory, with options including knockout, submission, or decision. You could also bet on the round in which the fight will end, or whether it will go the distance. Additionally, you could bet on specific outcomes within the fight, such as whether there will be a knockdown or a point deduction.
Overall, betting on UFC fights can be a fun and exciting way to add some extra excitement to the action. Just remember to do your research, consider all factors, and bet responsibly. Good luck!