Sandhagen vs Nurmagomedov

A Bantamweight title eliminator between Cory Sandhagen and Umar Nurmagomedov headlined the card in Abu Dhabi at Etihad Arena, after the pairing was previously expected to headline Sandhagen vs. Font before Nurmagomedov withdrew with a shoulder injury. The event was the UFC’s 19th visit to Abu Dhabi, and it also lost a planned five-round co-main event between Nick Diaz and Vicente Luque due to Diaz’s travel issues.