The UFC is in Abu Dhabi this weekend with a fight night card that is shaping up to be one of the best this year. Headlining this fight card is two top-ranked bantamweight contenders Cory Sandhagen and Umar Nurgmagomedov who are vying for a title shot with a victory here this weekend.

The rest of this fight card is littered with great talent and exciting fights throughout with a ton of great bets to be made this weekend. Let's take a look at the best bets for UFC Abu Dhabi this weekend.

ABU DHABI, UNITED ARAB EMIRATES - AUGUST 02: Umar Nurmagomedov of Russia poses on the scale during the UFC Fight Night official weigh-in at Hilton Abu Dhabi Yas Island on August 02, 2024 in Abu Dhabi, United Arab Emirates. (Photo by Josh Hedges/Zuffa LLC via Getty Images)

UFC Abu Dhabi Best Bets and Predictions August 3

Umar Nurmagomedov vs Cory Sandhagen Betting Odds and Prediction

Best Odds: Umar Nurmagomedov (-300) FanDuel Sportsbook

At the top of the bill this weekend we have a bantamweight matchup between two of the best contenders in the division as Cory Sandhagen and Umar Nurmagomedov lock in to see who should be next up for a bantamweight title shot.

DraftKings

4.5/5

Use DraftKings No Sweat Bet Promo: Get up to $1,000 Bonus Bets

• Great range of different sports leagues
• Optimal in-play betting features
• Easy to use app with fast payouts

–

–

Umar Nurmagomedov is still undefeated at 17-0 and is looking to keep his unblemished record intact by defeating a mainstay in the bantamweight division Cory Sandhagen which is no easy task.

This is by far the toughest opposition of Nurmagomedov's career but one that he is certainly ready for.

• Nurmagomedov is a dangerous threat no matter where this fight takes place with 9 of his 17 victories coming by finish with 7 of those by submission and 2 by knockout.

Sandhagen certainly will be a tall task to combat on the feet with his rangy striking and his slick footwork but Nurmagomedov's ability to cut off the Octagon to land his strikes and mix in the takedowns will be key in this matchup.

As long as Nurmagomedov doesn't stay on the outside and makes this a kickboxing match, he should be able to get his grappling going to where he can rack up a ton of control time and potentially find the submission to remain unbeaten and get his crack at the winner between Sean O'Malley and Merab Dvalishvili.

Rolando Bedoya vs Jai Herbert Betting Odds and Prediction

Best Odds: Rolando Bedoya (+115) Caesars Sportsbook

Rolando Bedoya's UFC career certainly hasn't got off to a great start dropping both of his fights to Khaos Williams and Kenan Song. He hopes that a move down in weight to the lightweight division will serve him right when he takes on Jai Herbert this weekend in Abu Dhabi.

• Bedoya has showcased some dangerous striking abilities in his short time in the UFC and that is where he is most comfortable as he amassed 4 knockouts in his 14 victories.

In this matchup against Herbert, he isn't going to have a tough time finding his range as Herbert loves to stand and bang and will be there to be hit. However, Herbert does possess some power that Bedoya will need to be wary about.

Bedoya will be the one throwing more volume and doing a better job at mixing up the targets from the calf kicks, to the body shots, and to the head strikes. If Bedoya can overwhelm Herbert with his pressure and land his thunderous strikes there's a good chance he can come away with the late knockout and his first UFC win.

Elves Brener vs Joel Alvarez Betting Odds and Prediction

Best Odds: Elves Brener (+150) Bet365 Sportsbook

Elves Brener has been a sneaky fighter in the UFC's lightweight division ever since stepping foot inside the Octagon back in February 2023. He amassed a 3-0 record in his first year with the promotion with his lone blemish coming against surging prospect Myktybek Orolbai who Brener almost finished in the third round.

Now, Brener gets to right his wrong and avenge his first UFC defeat when he takes on Spain's Joel Alvarez this weekend in Abu Dhabi.

• Brener is as tough as they come as an opponent with finishes in 14 of his 16 wins while never being finished in his professional career.

1. In this matchup against Alvarez, Brener will undoubtedly give up size but that hasn't stopped him from pressing the action looking to land heavy strikes or get his grappling game going to put pressure on his opponents.
2. As for as this fight goes, Brener will need to weather the early storm of Alvarez who's notoriously a fast starter, and drag him into deep waters.
3. Alvarez hasn't seen a third round since his UFC debut back in 2019 where he lost to Damir Ismagulov which puts him at a distinct disadvantage the longer this fight goes because Brener gets better as the fight progresses.
4. If Brener can avoid getting caught early on and make Alvarez work he can potentially get the late finish and back on track in Abu Dhabi.