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The UFC visited Abu Dhabi last night for its latest Fight Night. In the headliner, the next title challenger at 135 pounds may have emerged. UFC Fight Night: Cory Sandhagen vs. Umar Nurmagomedov had more big fights than just its headliner, though, with other fighters winning big, too.
What's next for those fighters? That's up to the matchmakers, and they definitely don't have a shortage of options.
Here are five fights to make following UFC Fight Night: Cory Sandhagen vs. Umar Nurmagomedov.
#5. UFC welterweight bout: Michael Chiesa vs. Nick Diaz
Last night's co-headliner should've seen a curious pairing of legendary veteran Nick Diaz and action fighter Vicente Luque.
It was a fight that, despite Luque's current slide, didn't make too much sense. Diaz hasn't fought since 2021 and looked awful in his bout with Robbie Lawler. Putting him in with Luque seemed reckless if not dangerous.
Thankfully, though, the fight fell apart due to some travel issues with Diaz. That should be a cue for the UFC to scrap the bout altogether.
Instead, a much smarter fight for the Stockton-based legend could be against Michael Chiesa, who whitewashed Tony Ferguson last night.
'Maverick' is a great fighter, but he's almost purely a grappler, meaning that even if he were to beat Diaz, he wouldn't be likely to add to any potential CTE problems down the line.
For fans of Diaz, surely seeing him in a grappling-based fight - where he might have a chance of winning - would be better than seeing him in a wild brawl with Luque. Hopefully Dana White and company recognize this, too.
#4. UFC lightweight bout: Joel Alvarez vs. Chase Hooper
Joel Alvarez lived up to his billing as one of the UFC lightweight division's premier action heroes last night. 'El Fenomeno' fought in a wild shootout with Elves Brener and forced the Brazilian to wilt with a salvo of strikes in the third round.
It'd be tempting to match Alvarez with Drew Dober next. After all, the Spaniard seems about to take Dober's bill as the most exciting fighter in the division.
However, Dober is currently on a slide, and matching him with such a dangerous prospect feels unfair.
Instead, the promotion should put Alvarez with Chase Hooper, another rising prospect. Still just 24 years old, 'The Dream' has come on in leaps and bounds recently and is currently riding a three-fight win streak.
If Alvarez could blast his way through this dangerous grappler, he could be knocking on the door of the top fifteen. With Hooper also a consummate finisher, too, this fight would definitely be fun to watch, making it well worth booking.
#3. UFC middleweight bout: Sharabutdin Magomedov vs. Jack Hermansson
Last night's short-notice co-headliner saw exciting Dagestani prospect Sharabutdin Magomedov pick up his third UFC win in a row.
'Shara Bullet' didn't manage to finish Michal Oleksiejczuk, but he did entertain the fans with a striking-heavy performance. He landed kicks, knees and punches on 'Hussar', who somehow managed to survive it all.
Regardless, Magomedov is clearly a very high-level prospect, meaning he warrants a step up next time out. With that in mind, a potential opponent for him could be No.9 ranked Jack Hermansson.
'The Joker' is no longer in title contention, but he proved he's still a force to be reckoned with earlier this year when he turned back another hot prospect in Joe Pyfer.
Could Hermansson use his lengthy reach, slick striking, and underrated grappling to overcome the dangerous kickboxing and power of 'Shara Bullet'? It'd be interesting to see, and if Magomedov were to lose, there'd be no shame in it.
This fight, in fact, could easily headline a European-based Fight Night event later this year.
#2. UFC bantamweight bout: Deiveson Figueiredo vs. Sean O'Malley or Merab Dvalishvili
Outside of the headline bout, it's arguable that last night's best performance belonged to former UFC flyweight kingpin Deiveson Figueiredo.
'Deus da Guerra' took apart former bantamweight title challenger Marlon Vera, even dropping the famously iron-chinned 'Chito' in the third round. In the end, the Brazilian picked up a well-earned decision, moving to 3-0 at 135 pounds.
So what's next for the former flyweight titleholder? Were it not for the presence of Umar Nurmagomedov, a title shot could be on the cards.
However, the loser of the upcoming bantamweight title clash between Sean O'Malley and Merab Dvalishvili will also need an opponent after that fight, so why not match them with Figueiredo?
Either man would be a fascinating fight for the Brazilian, who is equally adept at both striking and grappling.
If the winner is offered a title shot, this could be the perfect fight to help clear up the top end of a packed bantamweight division.
#1. UFC bantamweight title: Sean O'Malley or Merab Dvalishvili vs. Umar Nurmagomedov
After his big win over Cory Sandhagen last night, there's no disputing that Umar Nurmagomedov is ready for a shot at the UFC bantamweight title.
'Young Eagle' is now 18-0, and judging by his win over 'The Sandman', it's going to take something special to stop him. He not only outgrappled Sandhagen, but he largely outstruck him too, using some excellent boxing to land the better punches throughout.
So, who should he be rooting for in the upcoming bantamweight title bout between Sean O'Malley and Merab Dvalishvili?
On the face of it, he probably matches better with 'The Machine', as he'd hope to do something that few others can and outgrapple the Georgian.
However, a win over the stylistically trickier O'Malley might be even more impressive, as 'Young Eagle' would be giving up size, reach and punching power against 'Sugar'.
Either way, Nurmagomedov should simply sit back and wait for his opportunity at glory at this stage. In a few months' time, he may well emulate his cousin Khabib by becoming an unbeaten UFC champion.
