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While Aljamain Sterling still hasn’t received the offer to fight Ultimate Fighting Championship (UFC) Bantamweight champion, Peter Yan, in his inbox, the consensus thought is that it should happen any day now. Even Cory Sandhagen — who knocked out the No. 1 guy in the division last night at UFC Fight Island 5 (see it) — with a spinning heel kick thinks that is the fight that should be made next.
But if UFC matchmakers came knocking offering him a title shot instead of to “Funkmaster,” he would take it in a heartbeat. That being said, he would genuinely feel bad for Sterling because he wouldn’t want that to happen to him if the tables were reversed.
“I would feel really bad if they did me and Yan and did that to Sterling,” Sandhagen said during the post-fight press conference (video here) via MMA Fighting. “That said, it’s a dog-eat-dog sport, so if they give me that shot, I’m taking that shot. But I think it should be Sterling and Yan.”
Of course, Sandhagen’s lone loss during his time inside the Octagon came against Aljamain Sterling. It’s because of that fact that “Sandman” stands firm that “Funkmaster” getting the title shot first is the right call.
All that being said, Sandhagen will be in fighting shape just in case his services are needed should Yan or Sterling not make it to fight night…assuming it gets booked at all.
“When that gets booked, honestly, I’ve been doing that for a year or two now. Where it’s like this is a big fight coming up, I don’t have a fight coming up, I’m going to keep my weight low and I’m going to stay ready. I’ve been doing that in camp. I’ve been doing it almost the whole time I’ve been in the UFC.
“I’m definitely going to do that of course now, because I think that I’m probably the No. 1 guy if one of those guys gets hurt.”
Now, it remains to be seen if Dana White and Co. feel Sandhagen making “Magic” disappear from the championship race in impressive fashion warrants leaving Sterling hanging at the alter.
For complete UFC Fight Island 5 results and coverage click here.