Cory Sandhagen plans to beat Nurmagomedov, struggle O’Malley

If there’s somebody who’s go-with-the-flow on the roster, it’s Cory Sandhagen.

There is probably not a extra laid-back fighter in UFC historical past, however he stays self-aware. Sandhagen (17-4 MMA, 10-3 UFC) is aware of the place he’s in and the probably stakes that may come along with his Aug. 3 essential occasion bout vs. Umar Nurmagomedov (17-0 MMA, 5-0 UFC) in Abu Dhabi.

Sandhagen will not be one to show down a possibility, but additionally lately instructed MMA Junkie that he has a worth for every little thing. With this struggle, Sandhagen appreciated the beneficial properties.

“I don’t attempt to complain an excessive amount of,” Sandhagen mentioned. “I strive to not have too many opinions. I simply ask for more cash if they need me to do issues that I really feel like are just a little bit unreasonable, not that it was probably the most unreasonable ask. It’s nonetheless going to be a essential occasion in a extremely cool metropolis. I get to go to the Center East once more, which is enjoyable for me. I’ll truly have the ability to discover just a little bit earlier than and after and go early to do the entire shifting my time zone factor, which I didn’t do the final couple occasions. I’m nonetheless actually enthusiastic about it. The final couple occasions, Abu Dhabi followers have been actually superior and actually honest. I didn’t really feel like I used to be in enemy territory or something the final couple occasions. So yeah, I’m nonetheless enthusiastic about it.”

Whereas a paycheck is unquestionably a big a part of the struggle negotiation equation, Sandhagen additionally revealed all indicators (from the UFC) level towards this struggle being a title eliminator for him. Sandhagen is on a three-fight profitable streak, comprised of victories over Music Yadong, Marlon Vera, and Rob Font.

“Clearly, the primary time that I went to dinner with the UFC, they provided me Umar, and I used to be like, ‘That’s just a little bit down within the rankings.’ They have been like, ‘Nicely, it’ll be a No. 1 contender struggle.’ I used to be like, ‘OK, completely.’ Then, clearly that one obtained scrapped (in August 2023 when Nurmagomedov withdrew). This go-around, they relayed to me I don’t wish to say the precise quote however, ‘I don’t understand how you gained’t be subsequent after Merab (Dvalishvili), in the event you win this struggle.’ Additionally, who else is there that may actually try this? I additionally assume that me and Sean is a extremely large struggle.”

The aforementioned bout between O’Malley and Dvalishvili doesn’t have a date or location but. Each fighters have indicated they are going to be prepared for a fall showdown. Ought to Sandhagen earn a title struggle in August, he hopes O’Malley is the one who stands throughout from him for his first UFC championship bout.

“I’ll be rooting for (Sean) O’Malley within the subsequent one, simply because the larger the struggle, the larger the problem, the higher,” Sandhagen mentioned. “I’ll be rooting for O’Malley and that’s one the followers wish to see actually, actually unhealthy. I actually wish to give the followers what they need. So yeah, I hope that’s the case. … I feel that they each have actually, actually robust duties forward of them in very alternative ways. Merab undoubtedly wants to have the ability to shut that house higher than he has proven to do prior to now. Then, O’Malley defended a couple of of Sterling’s fairly good pictures. O’Malley can undoubtedly wrestle, too. However wrestling that physique sort is type of tough.

“It’s just a little bit bizarre however that’s such a giant hole that Merab goes to must cowl. It’s going to be actually robust on him. It would take him some time and clearly Sean is in actually good condition and may transfer his toes. We noticed (that) from the Chito struggle, too. I feel Merab has his fingers extra full than O’Malley does, however Merab undoubtedly has a ton of coronary heart. He’s been chomping on the bit for this world title for a extremely, actually very long time, so it’s exhausting to not rely that in both.”