Umar Nurmagomedov is targeting a shot at the UFC's bantamweight title after extending his perfect professional MMA record to 18 wins with a unanimous points victory over Corey Sandhagen in Abu Dhabi on Saturday night.
Nurmagomedov won by scores of 50-45, 49-46 and 49-46 in the 135-pound class, in a victory that could lead to a title bout against the winner of a matchup between champion Sean O'Malley and Merab Dvalishvili in September.
“Title shot,” Nurmagomedov, 28, said inside Etihad Arena when asked about his hopes for his next fight. “I don’t worry who’s going [to win between] these two. It doesn’t matter for me who’s going to be next. Just give me title shot.
“O’Malley, Merab, or someone else, it doesn’t matter. I’m here. Now guys, talk how I beat nobody. Cory No 2 [ranked in the world]. Now you can cry, I’m coming for you.”
Nurmagomedov, the cousin of UFC great Khabib Nurmagomedov, was considered the marginal favourite for this fight, despite being eight places below the American in the bantamweight rankings, and he lived up to the billing with a largely comfortable night's work.
While many of his takedown attempts were impressively resisted by Sandhagen, the Dagestani set a fast pace throughout and boxed well to force his opponent on the defensive.
Sandhagen found success with his punches early on, but perhaps aware of the counter takedown attempts from Nurmagomedov, he was keen not to overextend himself with his strikes. That also allowed Nurmagomedov to find his range, and he connected with several strong punches in the fourth round.
On the instruction of his corner, Sandhagen came out more aggressive in the fifth and final round, but the strategy backfired as Nurmagomedov secured his best position on the ground and maintained control of Sandhagen from the top position until the fight was over.
“He was more tough than I expected,” Nurmagomedov said. “This guy is really tough. I think I deserve the win today. I feel like I beat him in every single round. I tried to take him down but he had good defense. I have to believe in my striking. From the second round, I [was] beginning to feel I can beat him in striking, too.”
Sandhagen was gracious in defeat, admitting the better man won, and backed Nurmagomedov to go on and win the UFC's bantamweight title.
“He’s real good,” Sandhagen said after his fifth career defeat. “I knew he was going to be real good. He beat me tonight. There’s nothing more I can say about it. Congrats to him. He’s going to fight for the belt next. He’ll probably win and then I’ll catch up to him and fight him again.”
In a middleweight bout, Russia's Shara Magomedov (14-0) earned a unanimous decision over Poland's Michal Oleksiejczuk (19-9). Brazil's Deiveson Figueiredo (24-3-1) also won by unanimous decision against Ecuador's Marlon Vera (23-10-1) in a bantamweight bout.
Tony Ferguson (26-11) set a UFC record with his eighth consecutive defeat, going down by first-round submission in a welterweight bout against fellow American Michael Chiesa (19-7). Ferguson, a former lightweight interim champion, hinted at retirement by leaving one of his gloves in the centre of the octagon.
In a women's strawweight bout, Brazil's Mackenzie Dern (14-5) won by unanimous decision against Mexico's Loopy Godinez (12-5).
In a lightweight bout, Spain's Joel Alvarez (21-3) won by TKO in the third round against Brazil's Elves Brener (16-5).
The 15 players selected
Muzzamil Afridi, Rahman Gul, Rizwan Haider (Dezo Devils); Shahbaz Ahmed, Suneth Sampath (Glory Gladiators); Waqas Gohar, Jamshaid Butt, Shadab Ahamed (Ganga Fighters); Ali Abid, Ayaz Butt, Ghulam Farid, JD Mahesh Kumara (Hiranni Heros); Inam Faried, Mausif Khan, Ashok Kumar (Texas Titans
Other workplace saving schemes
- The UAE government announced a retirement savings plan for private and free zone sector employees in 2023.
- Dubai’s savings retirement scheme for foreign employees working in the emirate’s government and public sector came into effect in 2022.
- National Bonds unveiled a Golden Pension Scheme in 2022 to help private-sector foreign employees with their financial planning.
- In April 2021, Hayah Insurance unveiled a workplace savings plan to help UAE employees save for their retirement.
- Lunate, an Abu Dhabi-based investment manager, has launched a fund that will allow UAE private companies to offer employees investment returns on end-of-service benefits.
RESULT
Everton 2 Huddersfield Town 0
Everton: Sigurdsson (47'), Calvert-Lewin (73')
Man of the Match: Dominic Calvert-Lewin (Everton)
COMPANY%20PROFILE
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Key facilities
- Olympic-size swimming pool with a split bulkhead for multi-use configurations, including water polo and 50m/25m training lanes
- Premier League-standard football pitch
- 400m Olympic running track
- NBA-spec basketball court with auditorium
- 600-seat auditorium
- Spaces for historical and cultural exploration
- An elevated football field that doubles as a helipad
- Specialist robotics and science laboratories
- AR and VR-enabled learning centres
- Disruption Lab and Research Centre for developing entrepreneurial skills
Uefa Champions League play-off
First leg: Wednesday, 11pm (UAE)
Ajax v Dynamo Kiev
Second leg: Tuesday, August 28, 11pm (UAE)
Dynamo Kiev v Ajax
Key findings of Jenkins report
- Founder of the Muslim Brotherhood, Hassan al Banna, "accepted the political utility of violence"
- Views of key Muslim Brotherhood ideologue, Sayyid Qutb, have “consistently been understood” as permitting “the use of extreme violence in the pursuit of the perfect Islamic society” and “never been institutionally disowned” by the movement.
- Muslim Brotherhood at all levels has repeatedly defended Hamas attacks against Israel, including the use of suicide bombers and the killing of civilians.
- Laying out the report in the House of Commons, David Cameron told MPs: "The main findings of the review support the conclusion that membership of, association with, or influence by the Muslim Brotherhood should be considered as a possible indicator of extremism."
MATCH INFO
Day 1 at Mount Maunganui
England 241-4
Denly 74, Stokes 67 not out, De Grandhomme 2-28
New Zealand
Yet to bat
Read more from Johann Chacko
The specs
Engine: 3.0-litre six-cylinder turbo
Power: 398hp from 5,250rpm
Torque: 580Nm at 1,900-4,800rpm
Transmission: Eight-speed auto
Fuel economy, combined: 6.5L/100km
On sale: December
Price: From Dh330,000 (estimate)
Juliot Vinolia’s checklist for adopting alternate-day fasting
- Don’t do it more than once in three days
- Don’t go under 700 calories on fasting days
- Ensure there is sufficient water intake, as the body can go in dehydration mode
- Ensure there is enough roughage (fibre) in the food on fasting days as well
- Do not binge on processed or fatty foods on non-fasting days
- Complement fasting with plant-based foods, fruits, vegetables, seafood. Cut out processed meats and processed carbohydrates
- Manage your sleep
- People with existing gastric or mental health issues should avoid fasting
- Do not fast for prolonged periods without supervision by a qualified expert
UAE currency: the story behind the money in your pockets
UAE currency: the story behind the money in your pockets
KILLING OF QASSEM SULEIMANI
Results
Stage 7:
1. Caleb Ewan (AUS) Lotto Soudal - 3:18:29
2. Sam Bennett (IRL) Deceuninck-QuickStep - same time
3. Phil Bauhaus (GER) Bahrain Victorious
4. Michael Morkov (DEN) Deceuninck-QuickStep
5. Cees Bol (NED) Team DSM
General Classification:
1. Tadej Pogacar (SLO) UAE Team Emirates - 24:00:28
2. Adam Yates (GBR) Ineos Grenadiers - 0:00:35
3. Joao Almeida (POR) Deceuninck-QuickStep - 0:01:02
4. Chris Harper (AUS) Jumbo-Visma - 0:01:42
5. Neilson Powless (USA) EF Education-Nippo - 0:01:45
