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 will not be 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 can come along with his Aug. 3 predominant occasion bout vs. Umar Nurmagomedov (17-0 MMA, 5-0 UFC) in Abu Dhabi.

Sandhagen just isn’t one to show down a chance, but additionally not too long ago instructed MMA Junkie that he has a worth for every thing. With this struggle, Sandhagen appreciated the beneficial properties.

“I don’t attempt to complain an excessive amount of,” Sandhagen mentioned. “I attempt 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 a bit of bit unreasonable, not that it was essentially the most unreasonable ask. It’s nonetheless going to be a predominant occasion in a extremely cool metropolis. I get to go to the Center East once more, which is enjoyable for me. I’ll really have the ability to discover a bit of 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 instances. I’m nonetheless actually enthusiastic about it. The final couple instances, Abu Dhabi followers had been actually superior and actually honest. I didn’t really feel like I used to be in enemy territory or something the final couple instances. 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 Tune 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 a bit of bit down within the rankings.’ They had been like, ‘Nicely, it’ll be a No. 1 contender struggle.’ I used to be like, ‘OK, completely.’ Then, clearly that one acquired scrapped (in August 2023 when Nurmagomedov withdrew). This go-around, they relayed to me I don’t need to say the precise quote however, ‘I don’t know the way you gained’t be subsequent after Merab (Dvalishvili), should you win this struggle.’ Additionally, who else is there that may actually do this? I additionally suppose that me and Sean is a extremely enormous 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 need to see actually, actually unhealthy. I actually need 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 other ways. Merab undoubtedly wants to have the ability to shut that area higher than he has proven to do up to now. Then, O’Malley defended just a few of Sterling’s fairly good pictures. O’Malley can undoubtedly wrestle, too. However wrestling that physique sort is sort of tough.

“It’s a bit of bit bizarre however that’s such a giant hole that Merab goes to should cowl. It’s going to be actually robust on him. It would take him some time and clearly Sean is in actually fine condition and might 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.”