There were no weight-cutting issues for a pair of top bantamweights.
Marlon Moraes and Cory Sandhagen both successfully made weight at 136 pounds Friday morning for their UFC Fight Night headliner. The two will meet Saturday in the main event of the card on “Fight Island” in Abu Dhabi on ESPN+ (main card 8 p.m. ET; prelims at 5 p.m. ET) in what is a pivotal divisional clash.
ESPN has Moraes ranked No. 2 at bantamweight; Sandhagen is ranked No. 6 in the world. The winner will surge back into the title mix at 135 pounds.
Moraes (23-6-1) has won five of his last six fights. The Brazilian finisher is coming off a split decision win over former featherweight champion Jose Aldo at UFC 245 last December. Moraes, 32, is the former World Series of Fighting bantamweight champion and a former UFC title challenger.
Sandhagen (12-2) represents the new blood of the bantamweight division. The Colorado resident is coming off a submission loss to Aljamain Sterling at UFC 250 in June, but prior to that had won seven straight. Sandhagen, 28, is known for his tricky footwork and precision striking.