The UFC is on a global tour that began in Manchester, England, and will host Saturday’s fights on Yas Island in Abu Dhabi.
The UFC fight will begin at 12pm ET on ABC, meaning it will be on national television and in primetime.
Last week can best be described as “so-so”, as Paddy Pimblett stayed within profitability with a submission win at odds of +510 and cashing another plus-money bet.
However, out of the 13 bets, only four were wins, and the nine losses were not the desired results.
In total we lost 1.76 units and I am thankful that Pimblett saved us from a really bad night at the office.
He has earned 23.78 units over his last six cards, but after consecutive losses on two cards, he will need to make a big splash this weekend.
UFC Abu Dhabi Predictions
Cory Sandhagen versus Umar Nurmagomedov
Despite the incredible potential and promise that Umar Nurmagomedov has, the line for this fight is completely ridiculous.
No one would doubt his pedigree – he’s the cousin of MMA GOAT Khabib Nurmagomedov and brother of PFL champion Usman Nurmagomedov – but he’s yet to face an opponent as tough as Corey Sandhagan in the division.
Sandagan now has all the tools to become a champion.
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That being said, the value of this fight is that Caesars wins by decision at -125.
Sandagan is incredibly tough and has only lost once in his UFC career, a submission loss to Aljamain Sterling, which he says is one of the most embarrassing moments of his life.
This would be a step up for Nurmagomedov as an opponent, and despite his elite grappling pedigree, he is unlikely to win inside that distance.
Prediction: The fight will go to the end (-125, Caesars) | Sandhagan wins by decision (+750, DraftKings) – Small stakes
Shara Magomedov versus Michal Oleksiejchuk
Much has been made of Michal Oleksiejchuk saying he’ll “probably lose” this fight against Shara Magomedov, but it may have been a tongue-in-cheek comment directed at trolling fans.
Oleksiejchuk said that although it looked bad, his arm is not broken, and both fighters are said to be healthy.
Oleksiejchuk’s fighting IQ is close to zero, he should wrestle here, but probably won’t.
Magomedov has rarely been able to defend against takedowns and is a fearsome striker.
This is expected to end soon.
If you’re going for a long shot, pick the odds of Oleksiejczuk winning by first-round KO at +1150.
This will be a tight battle, more like 70/30 (percent) than 90/10 (percent).
Pick: Under 1.5 rounds (+105, FanDuel) | Oleksiejchuk wins by first round KO (+1150, BetRivers)
UFC Abu Dhabi prelims and main card predictions
- Cory Sandhagen (+270) vs. Umar Nurmagomedov: Sandhagen wins by decision (+750, DraftKings)
- Shara Magomedov (-238) vs. Michal Olekszejczyk: Under 1.5 rounds (+105, FanDuel) | Oleksiejchuk wins by first round KO (+1150, BetRivers)
- Marlon Vera (+120) vs. Deiveson Figueiredo: Marlon Vera wins by decision (+330, DraftKings):
- Tony Ferguson (+440) vs. Michael Chiesa: Tony Ferguson to win by submission 12/1 (BetRivers)
- Mackenzie Dern (-115) vs. Lupy Godinez: Dern ML (-115, Caesars)
- Joel Alvarez (-166) vs. Elf Brenner: Pass
- Azamat Murzakhanov (-218) vs. Alonzo Menifield: Over 1.5 rounds (-157, BetMGM)
- Mohammad Yahya (+310) vs. Kaue Fernandez: Pass
- Shamil Gadzhiev (-270) vs. Don “Theil” Mays: SGP: Mays 1+ takedown, Mays wins over 4.5 minutes (+525, DraftKings)
- Guram Kutateladze (-218) vs. Jordan Vucenic Vucenic ML (+190, ESPN BET)
- Viktoria Dudakova (-170) vs. Sam Hughes: Hughes wins by decision (+220, BetRivers)
- Jay Herbert (-130) vs. Rolando Bedoya: Bedoya ML (+110, FanDuel)
- Cedric Dumas (-230) vs. Denis Tiuriullin: The fight will go all the way to the end (+165, BetRivers)
