Umar Nurmagomedov out of UFC on ESPN 50 main event vs. Cory Sandhagen
The UFC’s return to Nashville is now missing half of its main event.
Umar Nurmagomedov is out of his scheduled UFC on ESPN 50 main event vs. Cory Sandhagen for undisclosed reasons. The five-round bantamweight bout was expected to headline the Aug. 5 event at Bridgestone Arena.
Sources with knowledge of the matchup recently informed MMA Junkie of the withdrawal but asked to remain anonymous as the promotion has yet to make an official announcement. News was first reported Wednesday by “The Schmozone.”
A younger cousin of former champion Khabib, Nurmagomedov (16-0 MMA, 4-0 UFC) was supposed to compete in his first promotional main event after three finishes in four UFC appearances. He most recently competed in January when he knocked out Raoni Barcleos.
Sandhagen (16-4 MMA, 9-3 UFC) has won back-to-back fights following two consecutive failed title bids. Since championship losses to T.J. Dillashaw and Petr Yan, Sandhagen has defeated Song Yadong and Marlon Vera.
With the change, the UFC on ESPN 50 lineup includes
Cory Sandhagen vs. TBA
Jessica Andrade vs. Tatiana Suarez
Said Nurmagomedov vs. Kyler Phillips
Ion Cutelaba vs. Ovince Saint Preux
Ignacio Bahamondes vs. Ludovit Klein
Damon Jackson vs. Billy Quarantillo
Dustin Jacoby vs. Kennedy Nzechukwu
Asu Almabaev vs. Ode Osbourne
Cody Durden vs. Jake Hadley
Jesse Butler vs. Sean Woodson
Diego Lopes vs. Gavin Tucker
Tanner Boser vs. Aleksa Camur
Carlston Harris vs. Jeremiah Wells
For more on the card, visit MMA Junkie’s event hub for UFC on ESPN 50.