Fights
Russian beats tough American on way to UFC title. Khabib glows with happiness!
Umar Nurmagomedov / Photo: © Josh Hedges / Contributor / UFC / Gettyimages.ru
Umar Nurmagomedov dealt with Cory Sandhagen in front of Khabib.
After Khabib Nurmagomedov left the UFC, Dana White tried several times to bring the star champion back to the organization, but all to no avail. Now the head of the organization can celebrate, as he once again has fighter Nurmagomedov among his title contenders.
Umar defeated a very strong opponent and is now ready to become a champion.
An unexpected favourite
On the night of August 4, the UFC on ABC 7 tournament was held in Abu Dhabi, the main event of which was a bantamweight fight between American Cory Sandhagen and Russian Umar Nurmagomedov. The second number in the UFC rating in his weight class, Sandhagen, after losing to Petr Yan, was on a series of three victories. Khabib’s second cousin, who was only ranked 10th, had never lost to anyone, and managed to win five times in Dana White’s organization.
Bookmakers were not particularly impressed by the rating, judging by the fact that the Russian was perceived as a clear favorite with a win odds of 1.26 against his opponent’s 4.70. The fans in the UAE also mostly expected success for Umar, who was supported in the corner by his star relative Khabib Nurmagomedov.
The American tried to work as the first number at the start, but Umar did not let him feel at ease in the octagon and performed a takedown at the first opportunity. He did not manage to stay on the ground, while in the stand-up, Sandhagen caused a lot of problems for our fighter, having an advantage in height. Only at the end of the debut round, Nurmagomedov again dragged his opponent into the fight, where, however, he simply did not have time to achieve any significant success.
“Not one step back”
By the second round, Sandhagen had a cut on his face. The American could take credit for defending against passes, but he was not very successful in attacking actions. Nurmagomedov looked good in the stand-up, and by the end of the five-minute segment, he also added a couple of takedowns to his statistics. The third round was equal, with little success for either. After the equator of the fight, there was no talk of a clear advantage for one of the fighters.
To win, Umar needed to be more active, which Khabib shouted to his relative from the corner. The Russian was unable to fundamentally change the pattern of the fight, but continued to work well in the stand against a strong striker, which few believed before the fight. The American also understood that he was not guaranteed victory, and in the fifth round he even made a crazy and unsuccessful attempt to get to the feet.
“Not one step back,” shouted Khabib.
After that, Umar managed to really drag his opponent into the fight, where he drove Sandhagen around for two minutes, but still failed to finish him off. All that was left was to wait for the judges’ decision, which recorded Nurmagomedov’s 18th victory. A happy Khabib and an equally happy Islam Makhachev appeared in the octagon. The former and current UFC champions hugged everyone in the octagon. And perhaps the future champion was enjoying the victory. After his success in the fight with the number two ranked fighter, the Russian came as close as possible to a title fight.
Live broadcasts of UFC tournaments can be seen on the Match TV and Match! Fighter channels, as well as on the websites matchtv.ru and sportbox.ru.
Source: Sportbox
Olympic champion and former interim WBA super featherweight champion Albert Batyrgaziev decided to take a break from his professional career.
At the beginning of July in Istanbul at the “IBA.PRO 8” tournament, Batyrgaziev lost early to the British James Dickens and lost the IBA.PRO champion and interim WBA champion titles in the second featherweight division. For the 27-year-old Russian, this was the first defeat in his professional career.
— I want to tell you honestly about my plans. Many people ask about their future career. Now I have decided to take a conscious break from my professional career. For me, boxing has been and remains a huge part of my life. Therefore, this choice is now very difficult. My whole sports life has been a race to the top: four Russian championships, an Olympic medal in Tokyo and then turning professional, where I went undefeated.
The last fight on July 2 was a turning point for me. The first defeat made me look at many things differently. I thank Allah for the trials and mercies that helped me become a better person. Since I have always felt a responsibility not only in the ring, but also before society, now is the time to become more active in projects that I have long planned, for example, supporting the development of sports infrastructure in my native regions. This doesn’t mean I’m saying goodbye to the ring. I remain an active boxer. But now all my work is outside of it. I thank everyone for their incredible support along this path: both in moments of triumph and in moments of challenge. She gives strength. I promise this new chapter will be just as honest and purposeful. I’m not saying goodbye, I’m just saying “goodbye,” Batyrgaziev wrote in the Telegram channel.
Batyrgaziev won gold in the weight category up to 57 kg at the 2020 Olympics in Tokyo. In the professional ring he has 12 wins and one loss.
Source: Sportbox
Hi, my name is Jayden James. I am a writer at Sportish, and I mostly cover sports news. I have been writing since high school and have been published in various magazines and newspapers. I also write book reviews for a website. In my free time, I enjoy playing soccer and basketball.
Arman Tsarukyan / Photo: © Chris Unger / Contributor / UFC / Gettyimages.ru
Russian UFC fighter Arman Tsarukyan said that he will give his compatriot Sharabutdin Magomedov, nicknamed Shara Bullet, an apartment in Yerevan if he defeats him in a grappling fight.
The fight is scheduled for December 30 and should take place in Yerevan.
“If Shara wins against me, then I will personally give him an apartment in Yerevan,” Tsarukyan said in a video published on the Red Corner MMA page on the X social network.
Tsarukyan defeated New Zealander Dan Hooker by submission in the second round at UFC Fight Night 265 in November 2025. He has 23 wins and three losses in MMA.
Middleweight Magomedov fought his last fight in July 2025 at the UFC on ABC 9 tournament, defeating Canadian Marc-Andre Barrio by unanimous decision. The Russian has 16 wins and one loss.
Watch mixed martial arts tournaments live on the Match TV and Match! Fighter”, as well as on the websites matchtv.ru and sportbox.ru.
Source: Sportbox
The injuries received by British boxer Anthony Joshua in a road accident in Nigeria turned out to be more serious than expected, and the British boxer’s future career is in question, reports the Daily Mail.
On Monday, on a section of the Lagos-Ibadan Expressway, the Lexus SUV Joshua was in collided with a stationary truck. It was reported that the 36-year-old boxer, who was sitting behind the driver, received minor injuries and was hospitalized.
Promotion company Matchroom Boxing later said two of Joshua’s friends and team members, Sina Gami and Latifah Ayodele, died as a result of the accident.
“Joshua’s condition is stable and he will remain in the hospital under observation,” the organization said in a statement.
However, the media, citing sources close to the fighter, note that Joshua’s injuries were more serious than previously reported. It is assumed that the athlete injured his ribs and knee, and also suffered psychological trauma.
Olympic champion Joshua defeated American blogger Jake Paul in a fight in Miami on December 19. In total, he has 29 victories and four defeats in the professional ring.
Source: Sportbox
Hi, my name is Jayden James. I am a writer at Sportish, and I mostly cover sports news. I have been writing since high school and have been published in various magazines and newspapers. I also write book reviews for a website. In my free time, I enjoy playing soccer and basketball.
-
Ligue 13 years agoRenato Sanchez signed in Paris for five years
-
Europa League4 years agoIn transfer alert at Olympiakos for additions and concessions
-
Europa League4 years agoFenerbahce – Eintracht 1: 1: The Germans took 1st place in the Olympiacos group
-
Europa League4 years agoWithout Nainggolan and Samata, the 11th team from Antwerp
-
Europa League4 years agoEuropa League
-
Europa League4 years agoAtalanta announced the acquisition of Boga
-
Europa League4 years agoFears that Zapata will be out for 4 months
-
Premier League4 years agoExcept for the rest of January, Sean was injured