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UFC indicates Cory Sandhagen will fight for 135-pound title with win over Umar Nurmagomedov in Abu Dhabi

UFC indicates Cory Sandhagen will fight for 135-pound title with win over Umar Nurmagomedov in Abu Dhabi Cory Sandhagen is one of the easiest going guys in all of mixed martial arts. He doesn’t complain, he…

Cory Sandhagen is one of the easiest going guys in all of mixed martial arts.

He doesn’t complain, he doesn’t make demands, and he never turns down a fight. But don’t for a moment think that ‘The Sandman’ doesn’t know his worth. So when the UFC came to him offering a main event matchup with Umar Nurmagomedov in Abu Dhabi on August 3, Sandhagen was more than willing to take the bout as long as the juice was worth the squeeze.

“I don’t try to complain too much,” Sandhagen told MMA Junkie. “I try not to have too many opinions. I just ask for more money if they want me to do things that I feel like are a little bit unreasonable, not that it was the most unreasonable ask. It’s still going to be a main event in a really cool city.

“I get to go to the Middle East again, which is fun for me. I’ll actually be able to explore a little bit before and after and go early to do the whole shifting my time zone thing, which I didn’t do the last couple times. I’m still really excited about it. The last couple times, Abu Dhabi fans were really awesome and really fair. I didn’t feel like I was in enemy territory or anything the last couple times. So yeah, I’m still excited about it.”

Aside from banking some extra cash for his trip to the Middle East, Cory Sandhagen will be fighting for his first crack at the undisputed bantamweight world title.

Current 135-pound king ‘Sugar’ Sean O’Malley is gearing up for a clash with the divison’s top-ranked-contender Merab Dvalishvili later this year, the winner likely to take on either Sandhagen or Nurmagomedov.

“Obviously, the first time that I went to dinner with the UFC, they offered me Umar, and I was like, ‘That’s a little bit down in the rankings.’ They were like, ‘Well, it’ll be a No. 1 contender fight.’ I was like, ‘OK, absolutely.’ Then, obviously that one got scrapped [in August 2023 when Nurmagomedov withdrew].

“This go-around, they relayed to me I don’t want to say the exact quote but, ‘I don’t know how you won’t be next after Merab [Dvalishvili], if you win this fight.’ Also, who else is there that can really do that? I also think that me and Sean is a really huge fight.”

Cory Sandhagen will be rooting for sean o’Malley

After capturing the bantamweight title with a stunning second-round knockout of Aljamain Sterling in August, Sean O’Malley successfully defended the belt against Marlon ‘Chito’ Vera in the UFC 299 headliner in March. Initially, O’Malley lobbied for a champion vs. champion clash with Ilia Topuria before Dana White quickly shut down those talks.

Dvalishvili will go into his first title opportunity on a 10-fight win streak, his most recent win coming against former two-division champion Henry Cejudo. As it stands, ‘The Machine’ is favored to come out on top in the yet-to-be-announced bout, sitting as a -125 (55.56% implied chance) favorite on multiple sportsbooks.

Sandhagen will gladly take on either man, but he believes a fight with Sean O’Malley would be a far more marketable matchup.

“I’ll be rooting for [Sean] O’Malley in the next one, just because the bigger the fight, the bigger the challenge, the better,” Sandhagen said. “I’ll be rooting for O’Malley and that’s one the fans want to see really, really bad. I really want to give the fans what they want. So yeah, I hope that’s the case. … I think that they both have really, really tough tasks ahead of them in very different ways. Merab definitely needs to be able to close that space better than he has shown to do in the past. Then, O’Malley defended a few of Sterling’s pretty good shots. O’Malley can definitely wrestle, too. But wrestling that body type is kind of difficult.

“It’s a little bit weird but that’s such a big gap that Merab is going to have to cover. It’s going to be really tough on him. It might take him a while and obviously Sean is in really good shape and can move his feet. We saw (that) from the Chito fight, too. I think Merab has his hands more full than O’Malley does, but Merab definitely has a ton of heart. He’s been chomping at the bit for this world title for a really, really long time, so it’s hard to not count that in either.”

Cory Sandhagen eyes title eliminator fight with UFC foe Umar Nurmagomedov next: ‘Let’s go at it’

UFC bantamweight Cory Sandhagen welcomes a number one contender fight with rising contender Umar Nurmagomedov. Now 5-0 inside the…

UFC bantamweight Cory Sandhagen welcomes a number one contender fight with rising contender Umar Nurmagomedov.

Now 5-0 inside the UFC, Nurmagomedov has yet to face a top-level bantamweight during his run with the promotion despite now being ranked in the top 10. There have been rumours that Nurmagomedov continues to be turned down by ranked fighters, but there has been one to accept the challenge.

Cory Sandhagen welcomes Umar Nurmagomedov fight

Sandhagen and Nurmagomedov were booked to face each other last August, but an injury forced Nurmagomedov out with Cory Sandhagen instead facing, and beating, Rob Font. Following his win this past weekend, Nurmagomedov called for a rebooking of the bout to take place on International Fight Week later this year. Now ranked No.3, Sandhagen is still open to the fight even if it meant fighting someone placed seven spots below him.

“I have no problem fighting Umar, especially if they’re telling me it’s for a #1 contender spot,” Sandhagen said during an interview with CBS Sports reporter, Shakiel Mahjouri.

“If they’re that high on him, let’s go at it and decide who should be fighting for the belt next and then let’s solidify this thing so that there’s no more question on whether it should be me or someone else. If I win the next one against Umar there’s no argument that I shouldn’t be fighting for the belt next.”

Since his loss to Petr Yan at UFC 267, Sandhagen has embarked on an impressive three-fight run, which includes a win over this week’s bantamweight title challenger, Marlon Vera. While Nurmagomedov may not be a notable name on his record, his talent and name vale in undeniable – following his win this past weekend the booking does make sense.

The bout will expose exactly what level Nurmagomedov is, Sandhagen’s striking ability has always been obvious but over the past couple of years, he has showed a real maturity and development in his overall game.

Who wins, Cory Sandhagen or Umar Nurmagomedov?

Umar Nurmagomedov says fight with Cory Sandhagen expected to happen during International Fight Week

After more than a year on the shelf, Umar Nurmagomedov returned to the Octagon on Saturday night, delivering a…

After more than a year on the shelf, Umar Nurmagomedov returned to the Octagon on Saturday night, delivering a dominant performance against newcomer Bekzat Almakhan.

After being knocked down in the opening minute, Nurmagomedov rallied back and ran away with the bout with his signature Dagestani-style wrestling. He moved to 17-0 in his mixed martial arts career and signaled that he was ready for a big step up in competition.

“I want to fight with Cory Sandhagen,” Nurmagomedov said in his post-fight interview with Daniel Cormier. “It’s gonna be a contender fight.”

Appearing at the post-fight press event, Nurmagomedov echoed similar sentiments, suggesting that there is already a date in place for his long-awaited clash with ‘Sandman.’

“Right now, they said we have a date,” he said. “[International Fight Week] with Cory Sandhagen. Before this fight they were talking about this. Cory talked about this and I think it’s going to happen.”

Umar Nurmagomedov is confident the fight against Cory Sandhagen will happen:

“They said we have a date, international fight week with Cory Sandhagen.

Before this fight they [were] talking about this. Cory [also] talked about this and I think it’s gonna happen.”#UFCVegas87… pic.twitter.com/po9sbLKk98

— Championship Rounds (@ChampRDS) March 3, 2024

Cory Sandhagen and Umar Nurmagomedov were previously scheduled to meet at UFC Nashville in August, but Nurmagomedov withdrew from the contest. Sandhagen went on to fight Rob Font in the evening’s headline, scoring a unanimous decision to make it three in a row.

Currently, ‘Sandman’ is holding strong at the No. 3 spot in the bantamweight rankings while Nurmagomedov is sitting firmly outside the top 10, residing at No. 13.

Cory Sandhagen eyes title clash with Sean O’Malley after UFC 299: ‘It’s one of the most exciting fights you can make’

Perennial bantamweight contender, Cory Sandhagen claims he should be ready to make his return to the Octagon by mid-summer…

Perennial bantamweight contender, Cory Sandhagen claims he should be ready to make his return to the Octagon by mid-summer this year, and during his time away from the Octagon, is cooly plotting a title charge against current divisional champion, Sean O’Malley after UFC 299 in March.

Sandhagen, the current number four ranked bantamweight contender, is in the midst of a three-fight winning spree since his interim title fight loss to former undisputed gold holder, Petr Yan back in 2021.

Most recently landing a unanimous decision win over Rob Font in a short-notice UFC Fight Night Nashville main event after an injury ruled the unbeaten, Umar Nurmagomedov from a fight with Sandhagen.

Cory Sandhagen eyes title fight with Sean O’Malley after UFC 299

And holding a standout decision win over incoming UFC 299 headliner and title challenger, Marlon Vera, Colorado contender, Sandhagen has staked his claim for a championship shot against Dana White’s Contender Series veteran, O’Malley in his return – touting how exciting the showdown is on paper.

“I beat ‘Chito’ (Marlon Vera) less than 365 days ago,” Cory Sandhagen told MMA Fighting. “Me and (Sean) O’Malley is definitely one of the most exciting fights that you can certainly make in the UFC, like in the top five, top-10 of most exciting matchups you can make.”

“That would be awesome matchup,” Cory Sandhagen explained. “So I have a lot of hope, man. I feel like the fans really wanna watch me and O’Malley fight, if he comes out with the win [at UFC 299]. And then if ‘Chito’ wins, that’s an easy argument for myself [to fight him next], too. Given that I 5-0ed him, you know?”

Making his first attempted defense at the bantamweight limit, O’Malley sprung a massive title win at UFC 292 back in August, stopping the record-setting streak of Aljamain Sterling with an impressive second round knockout.

Who wins in a future title fight: Sean O’Malley or Cory Sandhagen?

Marlon ‘Chito’ Vera Ready to Run it Back with Cory Sandhagen Should he win the bantamweight title at UFC 299

Marlon ‘Chito’ Vera already has his first challenger in mind should he leave UFC 299 with the bantamweight world…

Marlon ‘Chito’ Vera already has his first challenger in mind should he leave UFC 299 with the bantamweight world title wrapped around his waist.

Emanating from Kaseya Arena in sunny Miami, Florida on March 9, Vera will be the first man to challenge the reigning and defending 135-pound king, Sean O’Malley. The bout will serve as a rematch of their August 2020 meeting when ‘Chito’ shocked fight fans, scoring a first-round TKO against ‘Sugar’ after sending him crashing to the canvas with a well-placed leg kick.

Should Vera once again see his hand raised against O’Malley, the Ecuadorian knockout artist will immediately request to run it back with the last man to beat him inside the Octagon, Cory Sandhagen.

“I will ask for Sandhagen because he beat me,” Vera told The Schmo. “That’s the only reason I will choose that fight. The winner of Merab (Dvalishvili) and Henry (Cejudo) is also a big fight, and the UFC knows, whoever they pick I will (fight). But if I had to choose myself, I want to kick Cory’s ass. I know his dorky ass is crying about it, but it’s not my fault no one gives a f*ck about him.”

‘The Sandman’ snapped Vera’s four-fight win streak in March, earning a split decision victory. In the eyes of many, that made Sandhagen much more deserving of a title opportunity than Vera, but ‘Chito’ recognizes that the history between himself and O’Malley is what ultimately scored him a shot at UFC gold.

“The only reason this fight is happening is because I beat him,” Vera said. “That’s the only reason the fight is happening. So, I’m glad it came out like that. This is the best moment to do it, title fight, and I’m excited to become a world champion soon” (h/t MMA Junkie).

UFC champ Aljamain Sterling slams Sandhagen’s lack of ‘growth’ in the Octagon, addresses potential rematch

Aljamain Sterling, like many of us, was left disappointed by the UFC Nashville main event between Cory Sandhagen and Rob Font. Fans inside the Bridgestone Arena were treated to some memorable moments and highlight-reel-worthy finishes, but neither one occurred during the evening’s bantamweight headliner. Throughout the 25-minute affair, ‘The Sandman’ put his ground game on […]

Aljamain Sterling, like many of us, was left disappointed by the UFC Nashville main event between Cory Sandhagen and Rob Font.

Fans inside the Bridgestone Arena were treated to some memorable moments and highlight-reel-worthy finishes, but neither one occurred during the evening’s bantamweight headliner. Throughout the 25-minute affair, ‘The Sandman’ put his ground game on display and stymied the offense of Rob Font every step of the way. It was an undeniably dominant performance, but far from what fans and UFC President Dana White were hoping to see. Especially with a potential title opportunity hanging in the balance.

Looking back on the uneventful five-rounder, reigning bantamweight champion Aljamain Sterling expected to see Font show more urgency in his opportunity to leapfrog into the division’s top-five rankings.

“That main event, I gotta call it what it is,” Sterling said on his YouTube channel. “That was as duck as it gets. I really thought there was going to be a complete opposite turn of events. I figured Rob Font was really gonna come out looking to insert himself. I know he was pressuring forward.

“I’m trying to be respectful and at the same time reasonable in my analysis with this. I just think Font has a lot of holes when it comes to grappling. You can’t just go for a kimura hoping to get off your back with just that. You need a little more than that in your backpack. Your tools, so to speak. I was honestly pretty disappointed with his lack of ability to be able to get back to his feet. I think he might have gotten up once maybe twice out of the five or six takedowns that he’s giving up. That’s tough, man.”

Aljamain Sterling is Not Concerned About Potential Rematch with Cory Sandhagen

‘Funkmaster’ was also critical of Sandhagen’s performance, claiming that ‘The Sandman’ did little to earn himself a title opportunity, let alone suggest that a rematch between the two would go any different than it did the first time around.

“Font, he wanted it. Sandhagen, he wanted it,” Sterling said. “The difference is nobody showed that they wanted the next title shot with a definitive win. Respectfully, when I fought Sandhagen that was my No. 1 contender fight and I definitively shown that I was the next guy in line. Finished him in less than two minutes.“

In June 2020, Aljamain Sterling only needed 88 seconds to submit Cory Sandhagen via a rear-naked choke. The performance earned ‘Funkmaster’ his bantamweight title opportunity against Petr Yan at UFC 259 nearly a year later.

“Now people are saying the rematch is gonna be different,” Sterling continued. “Guys, there’s not much different that I can say will happen in the rematch other than it might go a little bit longer. I haven’t seen the growth from the top position and let me be fair, I know he hurt his tricep, possibly tore it. He had positions where he could have capitalized and done a lot of cool things with the dominant positions that he had and he just kind of chose to stay on top and just coast his way to the finish [line]” (h/t MMAFighting).

Sterling made it clear that he doesn’t see anything wrong with Sandhagen’s more measured approach against Rob Font but reiterated that it’s not the type of showing that earns you a title fight in one of MMA’s most stacked divisions.

“I’m not saying that’s wrong,” Sterling said of Sandhagen’s safer approach. “I’m just saying if you want to insert yourself into the next title shot to fight for the vacant title after I’m done mopping up O’Malley, you leave so much room for doubt where you got Merab who’s already a shoo-in. Who’s his next competitor?”