Changing fight card lineups just a couple of weeks before an event is becoming a bit of a norm in the UFC lately, as the promotion announced a new co-main bout for UFC Fight Night: Sandhagen vs. Nurmagomedov in Abu Dhabi.
When action gets underway at Etihad Arena on Aug. 3, fans will now get to see a middleweight bout between Shara Magomedov and Michal Oleksiejczuk as part of the proceedings.
The fight will replace the previous co-main, a welterweight bout between Vicente Luque and Nick Diaz. According to the UFC Fight Night: Lemos vs. Jandiroba broadcast, “travel issues” left Diaz unable to compete in what would’ve been his long-anticipated return to an octagon in over three years.
Instead, Magomedov and Oleksiejczuk will step in.
Magomedov, 30, enters the contest as an undefeated pro (13-0-0), having won both his UFC bouts to date. His latest victory came less than two months ago via third-round stoppage following a left hook connection that put an end to Antonio Trocoli’s night.
The quick turnaround for the “Bullet” is likely his attempt at cementing himself as one of the top contenders in the 185-point division and hoping for another impressive victory to vault him into the top 15.
Meanwhile, Oleksiejczuk enters the matchup as the more seasoned pro (19-8-0) but is in need of a bounceback. The 29-year-old is coming off back-to-back losses — the latest via first-round submission against Kevin Holland at UFC 302 — and is on the verge of falling to .500 in the UFC with another defeat.
They will be the co-main to a bantamweight bout between the No. 2 and No. 10 contenders in the division, Sandhagen and Nurmagomedov.
