The UFC heads to the Middle East for a Fight Night card on Saturday, Aug. 3 when the Octagon touches down in Abu Dhabi. The headliner for the card is a bantamweight scrap between No. 2 ranked Cory Sandhagen and No. 10 ranked Umar Nurmagomedov. The winner of this match will likely be the next contender for the winner of the Sean O'Malley vs. Merab Dvalishvili in September.
Here's what each main event fighter needs to do in the hope of getting their hand raised on Friday night.
Cory Sandhagen's keys to victory
Defend the takedowns
Anyone with the last name Nurmagomedov is going to wrestle. Sandhagen will need to focus on sprawling and defending the takedowns if he has hopes of winning this fight.
Stay composed
If Sandhagen does get taken down he needs to remain calm and work for a finish, or get to his feet. He can't panic and make stupid mistakes. Composure is key.
Leg kicks
Sandhagen's lanky and should use his reach to keep Nurmagomedov at bay and pepper him with leg kicks.
Umar Nurmagomedov's keys to victory
Control the fight
If Nurmagomedov can do what Belal Muhammad did to Leon Edwards, he'll win this fight. He can't be reactive, he needs to control the fight and keep Sandhagen in defense mode.
Take things to the ground early
We all know Nurmagomedov is going to wrestle and he needs to do it before Sandhagen has a chance to land any shots.
Go for the submission
Nurmagomevo really needs a finish if he wants to secure the next title shot. The bantamweight division is too stacked to advance on a decision. He should go for the submission and finish Sandhagen to take his No. 2 ranking and secure the next shot at the champion.
Live on DAZN: Terence Crawford vs. Israil Madrimov on August 3. Click here for details.