“I don't care about rankings,” says Sandhagen as he aims to win the title in Abu Dhabi
DUBAI: When Cory Sandhagen steps into the Octagon at the Etihad Arena for UFC Night on August 3, it will be with a growing sense of familiarity.
The 32-year-old American is set to take on Umar Nurmagomedov in a bantamweight bout next week, marking his third time on Abu Dhabi's Yas Island.
With a win and a loss in Abu Dhabi, Sandhagen braced himself for all eventualities against the rising star from Dagestan in the UAE capital.
“I'm preparing my best for what's to come in the fight,” Sandhagen told Arab News.
“Just learning and understanding all the ways he fights, the ways he fights, the way he hits,” he added. “Making sure I'm not going to get caught up in anything, because I know guys who have really unique styles like that, it's really easy for people to come in and think it's going to be a thing and have it. it certainly won't be that thing.”
Sandhagen (17-4-0) is on a three-fight winning streak and another victory in Abu Dhabi should give him a shot at the title belt.
“I definitely think so. I don't think there's anyone else in the division that can beat (these opponents),” Sandhagen said. “(Yadong) Song is a top-10 guy, Chito (Marlon Vera) is a top-10 guy, and (Rob) Font, when I fought him, was a top-10 guy.
“A lot of those wins were really impressive,” he added. “A shutout against Song, winning every round against Chito and then winning every round against Font – I think I've definitely had the most impressive performances against some of the top guys. I think a fight against a big guy who is known as one of the best prospects in the division, a win against him, I think will definitely solidify this (title shot) for me.”
Sandhagen rejects any suggestion that, as the second-ranked fighter, he has more to lose in Abu Dhabi than his 10th-ranked opponent, who has a record of 17-0-0.
“I don't care about the ranking. If people are 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 go on, because that means he has earned it and deserves more than me. I don't care about rankings. I don't care about having things to lose.
“I want the best guy to be the champion, and if I think I'm the best guy, I'm going to have to go out there and prove that no matter who (my opponent) is, no matter the ranking, no matter how many fights I- they had in the UFC,” said the Colorado native. “If Umar is better than me, I want him to beat me, that means he won. If I beat Umar, it means I'm better than him and I've earned the title shot. This is how I approach speaking battles. We'll see if he's better than me.”
Sandghagen has already played in Abu Dhabi twice, first defeating Marlon Moraes at the Flash Forum in October 2021, before losing to Petr Yan a year later at the Etihad Arena. He looks back fondly on both experiences.
“It was great, I honestly love that part of the world,” he said. “My first time going out and fighting Marlon. I love that part of the world, I thought the hospitality was crazy, very kind. The hotels were really wonderful.”
He also had special praise for the local fans.
“I really don't remember hearing a lot of boos there. I think that fan demographic is very different from the American one, in that they're not really nuts. They still support their type, but I think that part of the world has a deeper and richer history in martial arts. And I think what they care about most is watching good fights and watching high-level performers.
“The Middle East has some of the best fighters in the world. Many of those areas in the Middle East have some of the best fighters in the world and a deep and rich martial arts culture. I love the Abu Dhabi fans. I think they are 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 this region has boosted the UFC and its roster of fighters.
“I think it's wonderful,” he said. “The more global the UFC becomes, the more opportunities we have. More than anything, man, I think it's really cool that fighting brings all parts of the world together.
“At the moment, the Dagestani boys are very passionate, and the people here like it very much, they enjoy it very much,” he added. “He put Dagestan on the map. I didn't know where it was before and I think (that) is a very interesting aspect of what the UFC is doing. It makes us all a little closer.”
Sandhagen hopes the UFC's spread to the region will produce even more local fighters in the coming years, something he's happy to play a part in.
“One of my favorite things about going to UFC fights is that I usually leave 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 can go out and perform. I think if you can add just a touch of inspiration to someone's life, it can make a huge difference.”
