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Sandhagen is waiting on Cruz to accept the bout offer.
UFC San Diego could have its co-main event. Operative word is “could.”
Bantamweight contender Cory Sandhagen revealed on his Instagram page that he’s accepted a fight with former WEC and UFC champion Dominick Cruz, dropping a hint that it could be the UFC San Diego co-main event on May 16th.
“I said yes.. waiting on you [Dominick Cruz] – it would be an honor man. Co-main in San Diego?” Sandhagen wrote.
Sandhagen (12-1) has rapidly become one of the top contenders at 135 lbs. Having made his UFC debut in 2018, the lanky Sandhagen has racked up a 5-0 record inside the Octagon, including a dominant win over veteran Raphael Assuncao at last August’s UFC 241. He also holds a split decision victory over John Lineker. Sandhagen was scheduled to face Frankie Edgar at January’s UFC Raleigh, only for Edgar to take an ill-fated short notice bout with Chan Sung Jung, leaving Sandhagen without an opponent and ultimately pulled from the card.
Cruz (22-2) is considered by some to the be the greatest men’s bantamweight of all-time, with multiple title wins and defenses in both the WEC and UFC. He lost his UFC belt to Cody Garbrandt in December 2016 but has not competed since then due to numerous injuries. Sadly, injury problems have been the main reason why Cruz has fought so infrequently throughout his UFC career, such that he had to relinquish his title in 2014. His most recent win was a one-sided decision over bitter rival Urijah Faber at UFC 199.
UFC San Diego is expected to be headlined by a mouthwatering lightweight battle between contenders Dustin Poirier and Dan Hooker.