Sandhagen aims for title challenge with win in Abu Dhabi: 'Ranking doesn't matter'
Dubai: When Cory Sandhagen steps into the Etihad Arena Octagon for UFC Night on August 3, he will feel increasingly familiar.
The 32-year-old American is scheduled to face Umar Nurmagomedov in a bantamweight bout next week, marking his third time visiting Yas Island in Abu Dhabi.
With a record of one win and one loss in Abu Dhabi, Sandhagen is prepared for anything as he faces the Dagestan youngster in the UAE capital.
“I'm just trying to prepare as best I can for whatever happens in the fight,” Sandhagen told Arab News.
“I learn and understand the way he fights, the way he wrestles, the way he attacks,” he added. “I try not to prepare for anything because I know when you’re around guys who have such a unique style, people think it’s one thing and it’s definitely not.”
Sandhagen (17-4-0) is on a three-fight winning streak and could be in line for a title belt with another win in Abu Dhabi.
“I definitely think so. I don't think there's anybody else in this division that beats (these guys),” Sandhagen said. “(Yadon) Song is a top-10 guy, Chito (Marlon Vera) is a top-10 guy, (Rob) Font was a top-10 guy when I fought him.
“A lot of those wins were really impressive,” he added. “Stopping Song, winning every round against Chito, winning every round against Font. I think my most impressive performances have been against the best guys. I think fighting a prospect who is known as one of the most promising guys in the division, winning against him, would definitely solidify (the title shot) for me.”
Sandhagen dismisses claims that the second-ranked bantamweight has more to lose than his 10th-ranked opponent (17-0) in Abu Dhabi.
“I don't care about rankings. If people are better than me, I want them to get the belt before me,” he said. “If Umar is better than me (and beats me), I want him to go on because that means he earned it and deserves it more than me. I don't care about rankings. I don't care about having something to lose.
“I want the best fighter to be the champion. If I think I'm the best fighter, no matter who (my opponent) is, no matter the ranking, no matter how many times I've fought in the UFC, I have to go out there and prove it,” the Colorado native said. “If Umar is better than me, I want him to beat me. That means he deserves it. If I beat Umar, it means I'm better than him and I've won the title. That's how I talk about the fight. I'll see if he's better than me.”
Sandgeigan has already fought twice in Abu Dhabi, first beating Marlon Moraes at the Flash Forum in October 2021 and then losing to Petr Yan at the Etihad Arena a year later. He looks back fondly on both experiences.
“It was really great. I really love the area,” he said. “The first time I was there was when I went out and fought Malone. I love the area. I thought the hospitality was crazy, really friendly. The hotel was really great.”
He also had special praise for his local fans.
“I don't think I've ever heard a lot of booing there. I think that fan demographic is very different from the American fan demographic. They don't really boo as much. They still cheer for their fighters, but I think that part of the world has a deeper, richer history in martial arts. And I think what's most important to them is seeing a good fight and a high-level performer.
“The Middle East has some of the best fighters in the world. There are a lot of places in the Middle East that have some of the best fighters in the world and a deep and rich culture in martial arts. I love the fans in Abu Dhabi. I think they are very friendly and fair.”
Abu Dhabi has been a UFC hub for years, and on June 22, Saudi Arabia hosted its first-ever UFC Fight Night at Kingdom Arena in Riyadh. Sandhagen believes hosting the event in the region has strengthened the UFC and its roster of fighters.
“I think it's really great,” he said. “The more global the UFC becomes, the more opportunities we have. More than anything, I think it's really cool that the fight brings together all the regions of the world.
“The people of Dagestan are really hot right now, the people here are really loving it, they’re really enjoying it,” he added. “It’s put Dagestan on the map. I didn’t know where it was before, and I think that’s a really cool aspect of what the UFC does. It’s bringing us all a little bit closer.”
Sandhagen hopes to see more local fighters emerge as the UFC expands in the area in the coming years, and he's excited to be a part of that.
“One of the things I love most about going to UFC fights is that I usually leave feeling very inspired,” he said. “I’m inspired to fight better, but I’m also very inspired by the people, some of the fighters, and the way they go out and perform. If I can add a little bit of inspiration to someone’s life, I think that can make a huge difference.”
