“I respect the dog factor but he should sit out” – Cory Sandhagen selflessly agreeing to fight Umar Nurmagomedov has fans worried for title contender

Sean O’Malley wants to knock out Merab Dvalishvili, Marlon Vera, and Ilia Topuria. Topuria douses fighting words at Islam Makhachev. Lightweight king Makhachev wants Leon Edwards. ‘Rocky’ himself has aspired for the winner of Dricus Du Plessis and Sean Strickland. O’Malley maintains a healthy disdain, clapping back at fellow bantamweight, Cory Sandhagen. So who does Sandhagen get to face in the populated scenario? Umar Nurmagomedov, apparently.

Currently at 17-4 MMA, 10-3 UFC, he was to face Nurmagomedov in the UFC on ESPN 50 headliner. But he faced Rob Font instead after Nurmagomedov pulled out due to injury. Consequentially, Sandhagen dominated with wrestling but tore his biceps in the process. Later demanding a 135lbs title contention shot with ‘Suga‘, he has now settled for Nurmagomedov once again. Here’s what he told MMA on SiriusXM –

But when I talked to the UFC initially...I was pretty much like, ‘Hey, just give me a little time to think and sit with that one,’ because if that’s what you guys are telling me is going to be for the title next, then absolutely. But if that’s not going to be the situation, then the rankings matter a little bit...Where I stand with Umar now is if he gets a good win on March 2, and he looks good, and he does awesome, and they don’t give me the title shot next, do me and Umar at International Fight Week.

Cory Sandhagen via MMA on SiriusXM

Despite Sean O’Malley preferring ‘scary’ Topuria over Merab Dvalishvili, top honcho, Dana White instigated at UFC 298’s post-fight presser that the Georgian is next for the title. With even the likes of UFC legend, Chael Sonnen mocking Sandhagen on losing out on his chance, there’s but little hope for the 135lber. However, he is willing to duke it out with Umar Nurmagomedov, if it’s for a #1 contender’s spot.

Conversely, though, fans are not fond of him facing the 16-0 MMA, 4-0 UFC undefeated bantamweight. A prime reaction on X read – “He has no reason to he’s next for the shot after Merab, I respect the dog factor but I think he should just sit out.” And it isn’t the only such reaction.

Fight fans react to Cory Sandhagen urging that he is willing to fight Umar Nurmagomedov

Cory Sandhagen is willing to reschedule his fight against Umar Nurmagomedov but under the hope of a top contender spot.

In a recent interview with MMA Junkie, Sandhagen has prompted that he felt reluctant on fighting the undefeated rising bantamweight. Even though Nurmagomedov is often dubbed as the best 135lber in the division now, Snadhagen wanted to move forward with a title shot. Not backward. After his winning tint on the UFC on ESPN 50, he had hoped just that.

But unlike many of his peers, Sandhagen is now sportingly open to such an affair. Here’s how fans have reacted to the matter –

Most fans have lauded the fighter for willingly compromising and taking on the heat of an undefeated challenger. Some, however, have jibed at it turning out to be a losing affair. It remains to be seen if any of these predictions are true. Or if Cory Sandhagen does get to duke it out with Umar Nurmagomedov after all shortly.

In case you missed it:

• “I should start hanging out with rapper…get some tattoos,” Cory Sandhagen sends sly jibe towards Umar Nurmagomedov, Sean O’Malley, and other famous stars
• “Nobody wants to fight him” – Team Khabib’s Umar Nurmagomedov desperate for fight, calls out Deiveson Figueiredo

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