Tag: UFC on ABC 7

UFC adds Azat Maksum vs. CJ Vergara to Abu Dhabi fight card

The next UFC event in Abu Dhabi is slowly filling up. It has nine fights – and counting.

Another fight is headed to Abu Dhabi.

This time, it’s Kazakhstan vs. the United States, as flyweights [autotag]Azat Maksum[/autotag] and [autotag]CJ Vergara[/autotag] are set to collide at UFC on ABC 7, which takes place Aug. 3 at Etihad Arena on Yas Island, Abu Dhabi.

Two people with knowledge of the matchup recently informed MMA Junkie of the booking but asked to remain anonymous as the promotion has yet to make an official announcement.

Maksum (15-1 MMA, 1-1 UFC) looks to bounce back from his first career loss, a unanimous decision defeat to Charles Johnson in February. Prior to that outing, Maksum won his UFC debut by split decision against Tyson Nam.

Vergara (12-5-1 MMA, 3-3 UFC) also looks to reenter the win column. In March, Vergara lost to another Kazakh flyweight, Asu Almabaev, by unanimous decision. Vergara missed weight for the fight, and his two-fight winning streak was snapped as well.

With the addition, the current UFC on ABC 7 lineup includes:

  • Umar Nurmagomedov vs. Cory Sandhagen
  • Nick Diaz vs. Vicente Luque
  • Deiveson Figueiredo vs. Marlon Vera
  • Michael Chiesa vs. Tony Ferguson
  • Mackenzie Dern vs. Loopy Godinez
  • Abdul-Kareem Al-Selwady vs. Guram Kutateladze
  • Alonzo Menifield vs. Azamat Murzakanov
  • Victoria Dudakova vs. Sam Hughes
  • Azat Maksum vs. CJ Vergara

For more on the card, visit MMA Junkie’s event hub for UFC on ABC 7.

Vicente Luque recounts surprising UFC on ESPN 7 offer to fight Diaz: ‘Are you sure it’s Nick or is it Nate?’

Vicente Luque had to double check to make sure he was fighting Nick Diaz and not Nate Diaz at UFC on ESPN 7.

Fans weren’t the only ones surprised to see [autotag]Nick Diaz[/autotag] book a fight. His upcoming opponent [autotag]Vicente Luque[/autotag] was also caught off guard.

Luque (22-10-1 MMA, 15-6 UFC), a long time welterweight contender, is scheduled to welcome back Diaz (26-10 MMA, 7-7 UFC) in a five-round fight Aug. 3 at UFC on ABC 7 at Etihad Arena on Yas Island, Abu Dhabi. Diaz, now 40 and with almost three years of inactivity, wasn’t on Luque’s radar.

“I remember when (my manager) Ali (Abdelaziz) called and said, ‘Hey, we got a fight,'” Luque told MMA Junkie Radio. “I wanted to fight at the end of July or beginning of August, so he said we got Aug. 3 and that it was going to be in Abu Dhabi.

“I said, ‘OK, that’s going to be a different place I never fought,’ and he threw the name out there, Nick Diaz. I was like, ‘Are you sure it’s Nick or is it Nate you’re talking about?’ He said, ‘No, it’s Nick. It’s really Nick.’ I was like, ‘Yeah, let’s go.’ It’s going to be an awesome fight. In my mind, Fight of the Night is definitely up for grabs.”

[lawrence-related id=2745650,2745541]

Diaz was one of the biggest stars in MMA in the 2010s. He’s a former Strikeforce champion and ex-UFC title challenger. He and his younger brother Nate Diaz have been part of some of the MMA’s biggest fights.

For Luque, it’s a dream come true to be fighting Diaz.

“Nick is a guy that I always wanted to fight before I got into the UFC,” Luque said. “That was 2014, 2013, 2012, that’s when I was making my way to the UFC and I watched a lot of Nick fights. It was amazing to watch him fight GSP, Carlos Condit, B.J. Penn, and even Anderson Silva. He’s fought all those guys that were legendary, and for me, he’s a guy I always wanted to fight.

“I didn’t think at this point I was going to fight him anymore, but now I do get to fight him. So for me, it was very exciting to get this fight. He’s not in the rankings, but man, it’s Nick Diaz. That’s a big fight regardless. It’s a good fight to get back to my winning ways and set me up for great things after that.”

For more on the card, visit MMA Junkie’s event hub for UFC on ABC 7.

Cory Sandhagen vs. Umar Nurmagomedov: Odds and what to know ahead of UFC on ABC 7

Cory Sandhagen and Umar Nurmagomedov battle in a high-stakes bantamweight matchup at UFC on ABC 7. Here’s what you need to know.

[autotag]Cory Sandhagen[/autotag] and [autotag]Umar Nurmagomedov[/autotag] battle in a high-stakes bantamweight matchup at UFC on ABC 7.

Cory Sandhagen vs. Umar Nurmagomedov preview

Sandhagen (17-4 MMA, 10-3 UFC) and Nurmagomedov were booked to fight last August in the UFC on ESPN 50 main event, but Nurmagomedov withdrew due to a shoulder injury. Sandhagen faced Rob Font instead, defeating him by a lopsided unanimous decision.

Nurmagomedov (17-0 MMA, 5-0 UFC) remained unbeaten when he scored a unanimous decision win over newcomer Bekzat Almakhan at UFC Fight Night 238 in March.

Cory Sandhagen vs. Umar Nurmagomedov odds

DraftKings released the odds for the bout, with Nurmagomedov opening up as a -265 favorite over Sandhagen, who’s a +215 underdog.

How to watch Cory Sandhagen vs. Umar Nurmagomedov at UFC on ABC 7

  • When: Aug. 3
  • Where: Etihad Arena, Yas Island, Abu Dhabi
  • Broadcast/streaming: ABC, ESPN2, ESPN+

For more on the card, visit MMA Junkie’s event hub for UFC on ABC 7.

Nick Diaz vs. Vicente Luque: Odds and what to know ahead of UFC on ABC 7

Nick Diaz returns in a welterweight bout against Vicente Luque at UFC on ABC 7. Here’s what you need to know.

[autotag]Nick Diaz[/autotag] returns after almost four years away when he takes on [autotag]Vicente Luque[/autotag] in a welterweight bout at UFC on ABC 7.

Nick Diaz vs. Vicente Luque preview

Diaz (26-10 MMA, 7-7 UFC) hasn’t competed since a TKO loss to Robbie Lawler at UFC 266 in September 2021, which was his first fight in over six years. The fan favorite hasn’t won since defeating B.J. Penn in a Fight of the Night battle in October 2011.

Luque (22-10-1 MMA, 15-6 UFC) will also look to rebound. After winning four straight, including a submission of former champion Tyron Woodley, the Brazilian has lost three of his past four.

Nick Diaz vs. Vicente Luque odds

DraftKings released the odds for the bout, with Luque opening up as a heavy -535 favorite over Diaz, who’s a +400 underdog.

How to watch Nick Diaz vs. Vicente Luque at UFC on ABC 7

  • When: Aug. 3
  • Where: Etihad Arena, Yas Island, Abu Dhabi
  • Broadcast/streaming: ABC, ESPN2, ESPN+

For more on the card, visit MMA Junkie’s event hub for UFC on ABC 7.

Daniel Cormier: Tony Ferguson ‘makes more sense’ for Nick Diaz than Vicente Luque at UFC on ABC 7

Daniel Cormier would have rather seen Nick Diaz and Tony Ferguson fight each other at UFC on ABC 7.

[autotag]Daniel Cormier[/autotag] would rather see [autotag]Nick Diaz[/autotag] and [autotag]Tony Ferguson[/autotag] fight each other at UFC on ABC 7 rather than the separate matchups they booked.

Instead, Diaz (26-10 MMA, 7-7 UFC) will take on Vicente Luque (22-10-1 MMA, 15-6 UFC) on the Aug. 3 card in Abu Dhabi, while Ferguson (25-10 MMA, 15-8 UFC) meets Michael Chiesa (16-7 MMA, 11-7 UFC) also at welterweight.

So with both Diaz and Ferguson competing in the same event, Cormier thinks they should have been matched up against each other. He sees both fighters in similar phases of their careers, and worries about Diaz returning against Luque – especially after seeing how he looked in his TKO loss to Robbie Lawler in September 2021.

“I was very shocked,” Cormier told ESPN. “After watching Nick Diaz the last time, I was like, ‘OK, he’s done.’ But when I heard the news, I’m excited. I got so excited because it’s like, how often do we get an opportunity to see a guy that meant so much to us? I watched him in Strikeforce, I watched him do all that. Now, the matchup, that’s a little worrisome for me because Robbie Lawler seemed to be at the same stage in his career as him.

“Vicente Luque is not there. This is a much more dangerous fight for Nick Diaz. I just hope that he shows a better form this time. Honestly, man, excitement because I get to see a guy that I’ve watched for a long time. Confusion in terms of who the matchup is. Tony Ferguson’s fighting on the card, too. Put them together. That makes more sense to me.”

Regardless of his concerns toward 40-year-old Diaz, Cormier hopes the Stockton star has one more solid performance in him after almost four years away.

“I’m not making comparisons, but I do recognize that a great champion always has one last night,” Cormier said. “I watched George Foreman at 47 years old beat Michael Moorer in a fight that he wasn’t even supposed to be able to compete in, and he got it done. He was a little old, he was a little out of shape, knocked him out. Got beat on, his toughness carried him.

“Every great champion has one night left. So, for me, it’s about seeing if Nick has one more night. He might not, and hey, give him the benefit of the doubt. If he goes out and looks like he did last time, let’s be done with the Nick Diaz experiment. Shoot, man. This dude has earned an opportunity to go out there one more time and see if he can do something special.”

[lawrence-related id=2743853,324412]

For more on the card, visit MMA Junkie’s event hub for UFC on ABC 7.

Azamat Murzakanov vs. Alonzo Menifield in the works for UFC on ABC 7

A battle between rising UFC light heavyweight contenders Azamat Murzakanov and Alonzo Menifield is headed to Abu Dhabi.

A battle between rising light heavyweight contenders is headed for UFC on ABC 7 as [autotag]Azamat Murzakanov[/autotag] vs. [autotag]Alonzo Menifield[/autotag] is in the works to take place Aug. 3 at Etihad Arena in Abu Dhabi.

A person with knowledge of the situation confirmed the news to MMA Junkie following an initial report from Vestnik MMA.

Murzakanov (13-0 MMA, 3-0 UFC) hasn’t competed since defeating Dustin Jacoby in April 2023. Prior to that, the undefeated Russian knocked out his past four opponents. He was scheduled to face Khalil Rountree last December at UFC on ESPN 52 but withdrew due to pneumonia.

Menifield (15-4-1 MMA, 8-4-1 UFC) suffered his first setback in five fights when he was knocked out by Carlos Ulberg in just 12 seconds earlier this month at UFC on ESPN 56. He will make a less than three-month turnaround to face Murzakanov.

Below is the updated card for UFC on ABC 7:

  • Cory Sandhagen vs. Umar Nurmagomedov
  • Nick Diaz vs. Vicente Luque
  • Michael Chiesa vs. Tony Ferguson
  • Deiveson Figueiredo vs. Marlon Vera
  • Mackenzie Dern vs. Loopy Godinez
  • Alonzo Menifield vs. Azamat Murzakanov

For more on the card, visit MMA Junkie’s event hub for UFC on ABC 7.

Dana White announces Nick Diaz, Tony Ferguson return fights at UFC on ABC 7 in Abu Dhabi

MMA legends Nick Diaz and Tony Ferguson will make their returns to the UFC this summer in the Middle East.

Legendary fan favorites [autotag]Nick Diaz[/autotag] and [autotag]Tony Ferguson[/autotag] will be stepping into the octagon once again.

On Wednesday morning, UFC CEO Dana White announced the return fights for the two MMA veterans, which will happen Aug. 3 at UFC on ABC 7 from Etihad Arena in Abu Dhabi.

Diaz will take on [autotag]Vicente Luque[/autotag] in a five-round co-main event, and while Ferguson matches up with [autotag]Michael Chiesa[/autotag] on the main card. Both fights will take place at welterweight.

https://www.instagram.com/p/C7jmK9FRwvc/

Diaz, older brother of Nate Diaz, hasn’t fought since losing to Robbie Lawler in 2021. That was also his first fight in six years. Diaz is now 40 and winless in his past four UFC bouts. His last win came against B.J. Penn in 2011 at UFC 237.

Luque is also looking to break out of a bad spell. He’s 1-3 in his past four performances, with his most recent a TKO loss to Joaquin Buckley in March.

Ferguson, like Diaz also 40, is hoping to snap a seven-fight losing streak when he meets Chiesa. White didn’t say this would be Ferguson’s retirement fight but did state this “could be” Ferguson’s final fight. Ferguson last fought in December when he lost a unanimous decision to Paddy Pimblett.

Additionally, a UFC women’s strawweight bout between [autotag]Mackenzie Dern[/autotag] and [autotag]Loopy Godinez[/autotag] was also announced.

Below is the updated card for UFC on ABC 7:

  • Cory Sandhagen vs. Umar Nurmagomedov
  • Nick Diaz vs. Vicente Luque
  • Michael Chiesa vs. Tony Ferguson
  • Deiveson Figueiredo vs. Marlon Vera
  • Mackenzie Dern vs. Loopy Godinez
  • Alonzo Menifield vs. Azamat Murzakanov

[lawrence-auto-related count=3 category=420030788]

For more on the card, visit MMA Junkie’s event hub for UFC on ABC 7.

Deiveson Figueiredo vs. Marlon Vera: Odds and what to know ahead of UFC on ABC 7

According to odds, Marlon Vera will get back-to-back losses for the first time since 2018 when he meets Deiveson Figueiredo at UFC on ABC 7.

Top-tier bantamweights [autotag]Deiveson Figueiredo[/autotag] and [autotag]Marlon Vera[/autotag] will meet at UFC on ABC 7 in a matchup with high significance to both their respective careers.

Deiveson Figueiredo vs. Marlon Vera preview

Following a storied run at flyweight where he has two separate title reigns, Figueiredo moved up to 135 pounds in December and has rattled off back-to-back victories against Rob Font and Cody Garbrandt, earning him the No. 14 spot in the latest USA TODAY Sports/MMA Junkie bantamweight rankings.

The Brazilian will attempt further elevate his position against No. 10-ranked Vera, who is eager to get back on track after his title-fight loss to Sean O’Malley at UFC 299 in March. “Chito” hasn’t lost consecutive fights since February 2018, and will look to avoid falling into that hole again against a former UFC champion.

Deiveson Figueiredo vs. Marlon Vera odds

DraftKings released the odds for the bout, with Figueiredo opening up as a slight -130 favorite over Vera, who’s a +110 underdog.

How to watch Deiveson Figueiredo vs. Marlon Vera at UFC on ABC 7

  • When: Aug. 3
  • Where: Etihad Arena, Yas Island, Abu Dhabi
  • Broadcast/streaming: ABC, ESPN2, ESPN+

For more on the card, visit MMA Junkie’s event hub for UFC 303.

Deiveson Figueiredo vs. Marlon Vera added to UFC Fight Night in Abu Dhabi

Deiveson Figueiredo will try to make it 3-0 at bantamweight vs. Marlon Vera, who returns from his loss to Sean O’Malley, a UFC Abu Dhabi.

Another huge bantamweight bout will go down at UFC on ABC 7 this summer.

With Cory Sandhagen vs. Umar Nurmagomedov set to headline the Aug. 3 card at Etihad Arena on Yas Island, another pivotal 135-pound contest is on tap with [autotag]Deiveson Figueiredo[/autotag] set to clash with [autotag]Marlon Vera[/autotag].

MMA Junkie verified the Figueiredo (23-3-1 MMA, 12-3-1 UFC) vs. Vera (21-9-1 MMA, 15-8 UFC) booking with two people who have knowledge of the situation following an initial report from Ag. Fight. The people requested anonymity because the UFC has yet to make an official announcement.

Figueiredo, a former multi-time UFC flyweight champion, will look to stay unbeaten since moving up to bantamweight in 2023. He’s already 2-0 in the division with victories over Rob Font and Cody Garbrandt, which has earned him the No. 14 spot in the latest USA TODAY Sports/MMA Junkie rankings.

The Brazilian will attempt to elevate himself further when he meets No. 10-ranked Vera, who will attempt to rebound from a lopsided title-fight loss to Sean O’Malley at UFC 299 in March. “Chito” was dominated over the course of five rounds in his first championship opportunity, but stated on social media that the “2.0” version of himself is coming to make things right.

[lawrence-related id=2725654,2724634,2724229]

The latest lineup for UFC on ABC 7 now includes:

  • Cory Sandhagen vs. Umar Nurmagomedov
  • Deiveson Figueiredo vs. Marlon Vera

For more on the card, visit MMA Junkie’s event hub for UFC 303.