Cory Sandhagen is able to play spoiler at UFC Abu Dhabi this summer season (Sat., Aug. 3, 2024).
The bantamweight division is pretty much as good because it will get throughout the globe and one of many the explanation why is Aurora, Colorado’s “Sandman.” A staple at 135 kilos within the UFC, Sandhagen is near getting again in a title battle.
Earlier than doing so, the 32-year-old contender should flip again the surging undefeated 17-0 Umar Nurmagomedov. The pair have been purported to battle final 12 months in Nashville, Tennessee till Nurmagomedov was compelled to withdraw with an damage. Rob Font crammed in to undergo a unanimous determination loss in opposition to Sandhagen.
Sandhagen (17-4) can be Nurmagomedov’s greatest battle and hardest take a look at but. Regardless of the hype and betting odds in opposition to him, Sandhagen sees the benefits in his favor.
“I don’t actually consider him as an undefeated man,” Sandhagen advised MMA Mania. “I feel your file within the UFC is what actually issues, and he’s undoubtedly undefeated within the UFC as properly, however he’s solely acquired 5 fights within the UFC. Exterior of the UFC, you’re not combating the hardest competitors on this planet. Inside you might be. 17 is plenty of wins, so he undoubtedly has plenty of expertise, but it surely’s a unique ball recreation if you’re combating within the UFC.
“There are actually issues you may select of his model. The opposite factor is that he hasn’t had the hardest competitors on this planet to convey out plenty of these errors. Not that he hasn’t fought powerful guys, however yeah, it’s a little difficult to see a mistake. I’m simply sort of formulating a technique round with the ability to beat him at his finest with out making any mistake.”
A win for both man will theoretically be sufficient to safe them a title shot. That’s the expectation, which implies a collision with the winner of the anticipated subsequent title battle, the champion Sean O’Malley vs. No. 1-ranked contender Merab Dvalishvili.
Ideally, Sandhagen will see a win in opposition to Nurmagomedov and a profitable O’Malley title protection, resulting in an exciting affair between the proficient 135-pounders.
“The followers actually, actually need to see me and O’Malley battle,” Sandhagen stated. “That’s one thing they’ve been asking for for a extremely very long time. I’m gonna exit and do my half and win this battle. I would like O’Malley to exit and do his half and win his battle. That method the championship battle may be one of many extra extremely anticipated MMA hanging matches that so lots of the followers are already actually, actually intrigued in. Simply the truth that we will do it on the championship degree and scale, I feel would make simply an enormous battle.
“That’s who I’m gonna be rooting for, however I’m gonna exit and do my half, beat Umar and I hope that Sean goes out and does his half and beats Merab so the followers can get the battle they’ve been asking for for a extremely very long time.”
