“I don't care about the rankings,” says Sandhagen as he aims for the title with victory in Abu Dhabi
DUBAI: When Cory Sandhagen steps into the Octagon at the Etihad Arena for UFC Night on August 3, he will do so with an ever-increasing sense of familiarity.
The 32-year-old American will face Umar Nurmagomedov in a bantamweight bout next week, marking his third visit to Yas Island in Abu Dhabi.
With a win and a defeat in Abu Dhabi, Sandhagen prepared for any eventuality against the rising star from Daghestan in the capital of the United Arab Emirates.
“I'm just preparing myself as best I can for whatever comes my way during the fight,” Sandhagen told Arab News.
“Just learning and understanding all the ways he fights, the ways he wrestles, the way he strikes,” he added. “Making sure I don’t get caught off guard by anything because I know with guys that have very unique styles like that, it’s really easy for people to come in and think it’s going to be this thing and it’s definitely not going to be that thing.”
Sandhagen (17-4-0) is on a three-fight winning streak and another victory in Abu Dhabi could give him a shot at the title belt.
“I definitely think so. I don't think there's anyone else in the division that's really beating (these opponents),” Sandhagen said. “(Yadong) Song is a top 10, Chito (Marlon Vera) is a top 10, and (Rob) Font, when I fought him, was a top 10.
“A lot of those wins have been really impressive,” he added. “A stoppage against Song, winning every round against Chito, and then winning every round against Font—I think I definitely have the most impressive performances against some of the top guys. I think a fight against a top up-and-comer who’s known as one of the top prospects in the division, a win against him, I think that’ll definitely solidify that (title shot) for me.”
Sandhagen dismisses any suggestion that, as the No. 2 bantamweight fighter, he has more to lose in Abu Dhabi than his No. 10 opponent, who has a 17-0-0 record.
“I don't care about the rankings. If someone is better than me, I want them to have the belt over me,” he said. “If Umar is better than me (and beats me), I want him to move on because it means he earned it and deserves it more than me. I don't care about the rankings. I don't care about having things to lose.
“I want the best to be the champion, and if I think I'm the best, I'm going to have to go out there and prove it no matter who (my opponent) is, no matter what the ranking is, no matter how many fights I've had in the UFC,” the Colorado native said. “If Umar is better than me, I want him to beat me, it means he's earned it. If I beat Umar, it means I'm better than him and I've earned the title shot. That's how I approach fights. We'll see if he's better than me.”
Sandghagen has already played in Abu Dhabi twice, first beating Marlon Moraes at the Flash Forum in October 2021, before losing to Petr Yan a year later at the Etihad Arena. He remembers both experiences fondly.
“It was amazing, I honestly love that part of the world,” he said. “The first time I was there was when I went out and fought Marlon. I love that part of the world, I thought the hospitality was amazing, really nice. The hotels were really great.”
He also gave special praise to the local fans.
“I don't remember hearing a lot of booing out there. I think the demographic of the fans is very different than the American ones, in that they're not big boos. They're still rooting for their guy, but I think that part of the world has a deeper, richer history in martial arts. And I think what they're more interested in is watching good fights and watching high-level athletes.
“The Middle East has some of the best fighters in the world. A lot of those areas around the Middle East have some of the best fighters in the world and a deep, rich culture in martial arts. I love the fans in Abu Dhabi. I think they're very kind and fair.”
Abu Dhabi has been a UFC hub for several years, and on June 22, Saudi Arabia held its first UFC Fight Night at the Kingdom Arena in Riyadh. Sandhagen believes that hosting events in the region has given the UFC and its roster of fighters a boost.
“I think it’s awesome,” he said. “The more globalized the UFC becomes, the more opportunities we have. More than anything, man, I think it’s really awesome that fighting is bringing all parts of the world together.
“Right now, the guys from Dagestan are really hot and people here (like) it a lot, they have a lot of fun,” he added. “It 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 is doing. It’s bringing us all a little bit closer.”
Sandhagen hopes that the UFC's spread to the region in the years to come will also produce more local fighters, something he's happy to play a role in.
“One of my favorite things about going to UFC fights is that I usually leave feeling very inspired,” he said. “Inspired to be better at fighting, but I also feel very inspired by the people, by some of the fighters and how they go out there and perform. I think if you can add a little bit of inspiration to someone’s life, it can make a big difference.”
