By Dana White, the UFC president, has unveiled the lineup for UFC Abu Dhabi on August 3, which is set to captivate fans with the return of Nick Diaz. The event is headlined by a bantamweight clash between Cory Sandhagen and Umar Nurmagomedov, with the winner poised to challenge for Sean O’Malley’s championship. The co-main event sees the seasoned Nick Diaz take on Vicente Luque in a welterweight bout.
The main card also features Marlon Vera against Deiveson Figueiredo, who has remained unbeaten since his ascent to the bantamweight division. Additionally, an exciting strawweight fight is on the cards with Mackenzie Dern facing Loopy Godinez. Kicking off the event will be a welterweight match between Michael Chiesa and Tony Ferguson, which could mark the end of Ferguson’s illustrious career.
Nick Diaz is set to enter the Octagon for the first time since his defeat to Robbie Lawler in 2021, marking his first fight since 2015. At 41, Diaz will confront the 32-year-old Luque, renowned for his dynamic fighting approach.
The event’s highlight is the bantamweight bout that will decide the next challenger for the title currently held by Sean O’Malley, who is slated to defend it against Merab Dvalishvili later in the year. Sandhagen enters the fight on a three-victory streak, while Nurmagomedov, a relative of the famed Khabib Nurmagomedov, boasts an impeccable 17-0 record.
This event marks the UFC’s 19th visit to Abu Dhabi and its first since UFC 294 the previous October. Fans are eagerly anticipating this thrilling card that promises high stakes and the potential for legendary moments in the sport.
