Tag: Cory Sandhagen

Cory Sandhagen doesn’t like Merab Dvalishvili’s chances against Umar Nurmagomedov

Not only is Cory Sandhagen picking Umar Nurmagomedov to win at UFC 311, he’s rooting for him.

Not only is [autotag]Cory Sandhagen[/autotag] picking [autotag]Umar Nurmagomedov[/autotag] to win at UFC 311, he’s rooting for him.

Nurmagomedov (18-0 MMA, 6-0 UFC) challenges bantamweight champion Merab Dvalishvili (18-4 MMA, 11-2 UFC) in the Jan. 18 co-headliner (ESPN+ pay-per-view, ESPN, ESPN+) at Intuit Dome in Inglewood, Calif.

Sandhagen is coming off a five-round decision loss to Nurmagomedov in the UFC on ABC 7 main event in August, and knows how good the undefeated contender is.

“I think that Umar probably will win,” Sandhagen told Middle Easy. “I just can’t really see a path for Merab to win. I don’t think that he’s going to be able to strike with him, but I also don’t think that he’ll be able to take him down and control him like he was able to do against O’Malley and against other guys. I just don’t really see a path to success for Merab. I think Umar is likely going to defend a lot of those shots, keep it in the striking realm, and just kind of – Umar’s a sniper, man.

“People don’t really realize just how fast that guy is and how good he is and how his kicks come out of nowhere. Fighting a guy like Merab will be a good opportunity for him to show off a little bit and just because Merab’s been talking a lot of sh*t, I kind of want to watch Merab get served up a little bit by a guy who is supposed to be a wrestler but wasn’t able to wrestle me, but Merab’s still saying that I was a gift and stuff. So, I’m on Team Umar now.”

Sandhagen: Dvalishvili ‘acting a little ridiculous’

Sandhagen is also not a fan of Dvalishvili’s constant dismissal of Nurmagomedov as a worthy title challenger.

“Merab is just acting a little ridiculous,” Sandhagen said. “Here’s what I believe the fans are like: There’s obviously a lot of types of fans, but I think what the fans want us to be the most are fearless competitors who are not afraid to go out and fight and put their lives on the line, and whoever it is in front of them, they believe that they can win. That’s what the fans deep down in their heart really want.

“They want to be inspired. There’s nothing inspiring about being like, ‘No, I don’t want to fight this guy for this reason,’ or ‘I want this guy because I already beat this guy.’ People are not stupid. They pick up on those things, and that’s just my personal belief. Fans really want people who are going to go out, fight like hell, be entertaining, and they want them to be fearless and inspiring.”

[lawrence-related id=2760730,2759561,2792328,2790908]

For more on the card, visit MMA Junkie’s event hub for UFC 311.

Cory Sandhagen praises Petr Yan, still wants to avenge UFC loss

Cory Sandhagen has his sights set on Petr Yan after UFC Fight Night 248.

[autotag]Cory Sandhagen[/autotag] has his sights set on [autotag]Petr Yan[/autotag] after UFC Fight Night 248.

Yan (18-5 MMA, 10-4 UFC) picked up his second consecutive win when he defeated Deiveison Figueiredo (24-4-1 MMA, 13-4-1 UFC) by unanimous decision in this past Saturday’s headliner in Macau.

Sandhagen (17-5 MMA, 10-4 UFC) wasn’t surprised to see the former champion get his hand raised.

“It was a really interesting fight. Yan looked amazing to be honest,” Sandhagen said on his YouTube channel. “I kind of figured that the fight would go the way that it was just because Figgy is more chaotic, square version. Yan is a much bladed, technical guy.

“That’s not a knock on Figgy. Figgy usually makes his chaos work, but you kind of saw that that’s the way the fight was going to go. Congrats to Yan, he looked really great. Figgy is a really good matchup for him to look really good in specifically.”

Sandhagen fought Yan for the interim bantamweight title at UFC 267 in October 2021. After winning Round 1, Sandhagen was outstruck in a unanimous decision loss. He rebounded with three straight wins berfore falling short against Umar Nurmagomedov at UFC on ABC 7 in August.

With Sandhagen just one spot behind Yan in the UFC’s bantamweight rankings, he’d like an opportunity to run things back – a proposition Daniel Cormier agrees with.

“Congrats to Yan, maybe we’ll do it next,” Sandhagen said. “I don’t really know what the division’s going on. I haven’t really heard too much. I was hoping to hear probably sometime next week about the direction that they are going to go in because I know they were waiting on this fight to play out. Congrats to Yan. I still want to get that one back. We’ll see if it’ll be next or not.”

[lawrence-related id=2788612,1507920,1502934]

For more on the card, visit MMA Junkie’s event hub for UFC Fight Night 248.

Willing to wait till June, Cory Sandhagen continues push for Sean O’Malley fight: ‘There’s no better fight you can make’

Cory Sandhagen says he’s willing to wait till Sean O’Malley’s desired UFC return date of June 2025.

[autotag]Cory Sandhagen[/autotag] sees a potential fight against [autotag]Sean O’Malley[/autotag] as a no-brainer.

Sandhagen (17-5 MMA, 10-4 UFC), a former title challenger and long-time UFC bantamweight contender, is hoping to get booked against O’Malley (18-2 MMA, 10-2 UFC), and is surprised that there’s not a big effort, at least for now, by the promotion to get that fight done.

Speaking on Michael Bisping’s YouTube channel, Sandhagen continued his push for a fight against the former UFC champion, and even said he’d be willing until June – O’Malley’s targeted return.

“You read all the comments, and you talk to fans, and you talk to people, and that’s the fight everyone wants to see happen,” Sandhagen said. “I’m actually kind of surprised the UFC hasn’t come to me or Sean, hasn’t said anything about that fight yet or anything, or (the UFC) asked, ‘Hey, are you willing to wait till June?’ because I would entertain that big time.

“I think a big piece I’ve been able to appreciate lately is I really want to give fans what they’re paying to see, and if it means waiting to give fans a fight they’re most excited for, I would definitely big time entertain that. I would rather not have it all the way in June, but there’s no better fight you can make. Me and O’Malley is a banger of a fight.”

Sandhagen said he was offered a fight against Deiveson Figueiredo for late 2024, but Figueiredo turned it down, and now the UFC will look to book Figueiredo against Petr Yan.

Not wanting to fight too down the UFC bantamweight rankings, Sandhagen sees O’Malley as the only viable option, as he’s coming off a championship loss to Merab Dvalishvili in the main event of UFC 306 last month.

“I feel like O’Malley is the only fight,” Sandhagen said. “Maybe the winner of Yan and Figgy if O’Malley is going to be weird and still not bring me up or mention that fight or anything like that. So yeah, that’s what I’m looking at.”

[lawrence-auto-related count=3 category=420030788]

T.J. Dillashaw: ‘More dangerous’ Cory Sandhagen pieces up Sean O’Malley

T.J. Dillashaw thinks Cory Sandhagen is a bad matchup for Sean O’Malley.

[autotag]T.J. Dillashaw[/autotag] thinks [autotag]Cory Sandhagen[/autotag] is a bad matchup for [autotag]Sean O’Malley[/autotag].

Sandhagen called for O’Malley (18-2 MMA, 10-2 UFC) after “The Suga Show” lost his bantamweight title to Merab Dvalishvili (18-4 MMA, 11-2 UFC) by unanimous decision in the UFC 306 main event at Sphere in Las Vegas. Dillashaw thought Dvalishvili made O’Malley look very weak in the fight.

Sandhagen (17-5 MMA, 10-4 UFC) thinks fans would salivate for a striking battle between him and O’Malley, but former champion Dillashaw thinks it wouldn’t even be competitive.

“I think he pieces Sean up,” Dillashaw said on the Jaxxon Podcast. “When they were getting ready to give a title fight to someone, I thought that Sandhagen would’ve been a dope fight for him. I think Sandhagen’s just better at what O’Malley is good at, to be honest. He’s just more dangerous. But O’Malley’s got great feints. I would love to see that fight.”

Dillashaw knows first hand how good Sandhagen is on the feet. He fought Sandhagen in July 2021, edging him out in a close decision win by using his grappling.

However, Sandhagen may not get his desired fight with O’Malley just yet, after O’Malley announced that he’s set to undergo surgery Oct. 3 for a torn labrum in his left hip, which he suffered 10 weeks prior to his fight with Dvalishvili.

[lawrence-related id=2772485,2772084,2771867,2769586]

Cory Sandhagen says Deiveson Figueiredo turned him down: ‘Maybe he wants to take the easier fights’

Cory Sandhagen thought Deiveson Figueiredo “was a little bit more about that life” and is surprised he declined to fight him.

According to [autotag]Cory Sandhagen[/autotag], a top UFC bantamweight contender declined to fight him.

Sandhagen, who’s coming off a main event loss to Umar Nurmagomedov at UFC on ABC 7 in August, said the UFC tried to match him up with [autotag]Deiveson Figueiredo[/autotag] (24-3-1 MMA, 13-3-1 UFC) at the end of the year.

“Figgy turned down the fight against me in September, which is just kind of whack because I thought that Figgy was a little bit more about that life than that,” Sandhagen said on his YouTube channel. “I’m kind of actually hurt that Figgy doesn’t want to fight me in December, but maybe he wants to take the easier fights. I don’t know what that dude’s plan is.”

Sandhagen (17-5 MMA, 10-4 UFC) initially campaigned to fight Sean O’Malley (18-1 MMA, 10-1 UFC) after he lost his bantamweight title to Merab Dvalishvili (18-4 MMA, 11-2 UFC) by unanimous decision in this past Saturday’s UFC 306 main event at Sphere in Las Vegas.

But upon hearing that O’Malley is set to undergo surgery Oct. 3 for a torn labrum in his hip, he’s a little disappointed.

“It’s really a bummer, man, because I was really hoping to get that fight one, and then two, the fans get really excited about fights like that, and that’s just a bummer that they don’t get to have that fight right now at least,” Sandhagen told Fanatics View. “But even in the future, you never really know what’s going to happen. It kind of reminds me of three or four years ago when people were really trying to hype up a me and Dominick Cruz fight.

“Cruz just never ended up taking the fight. He had other opportunities, and he took those ones. That’s just a bummer. I hope that’s not the case with this one and that the fans eventually get to watch me and O’Malley fight. … I’m not going to wait until the summer for O’Malley. No way. I like fighting. I was just out for an entire year. I really wanted to get something in December, but I think it’s realistically going to be a bit longer than that.”

[lawrence-related id=2771851,2760730,2772416,2771867]

For more on the card, visit MMA Junkie’s event hub for UFC 306.

Sean O’Malley called out by Cory Sandhagen, Henry Cejudo, Petr Yan after UFC 306 title loss

Sean O’Malley already has a slew of top bantamweight contenders wanting a piece of him after UFC 306.

[autotag]Sean O’Malley[/autotag] already has a slew of top bantamweight contenders wanting a piece of him after UFC 306.

O’Malley (18-2 MMA, 10-2 UFC) lost his 135-pound title to Merab Dvalishvili (18-4 MMA, 11-2 UFC) by unanimous decision in Saturday’s Noche UFC main event at Sphere in Las Vegas.

Following his title loss, O’Malley was immediately mocked by [autotag]Henry Cejudo[/autotag] (16-4 MMA, 10-4 UFC), who previously said he’d stick around at bantamweight to fight O’Malley.

“Hey O’Methyl…You wanted to be the next Conor McGregor-well now you are. Neither of you bums can defend a takedown. I’m teaching ‘Wrestling for Cokeheads’ at 8 AM. See you in the morning. @SugaSeanMMA.”

https://twitter.com/HenryCejudo/status/1835199622303666473

Also taking a shot at O’Malley is former champion [autotag]Petr Yan[/autotag] (17-5 MMA, 9-4 UFC), who lost a controversial decision to “The Suga Show” in October 2022.

“I never considered Sean a real champion because he was gifted decision against me in Abu Dhabi. Rematch season is open, so see you soon 👊🏼.”

https://twitter.com/PetrYanUFC/status/1835214318587228301

[autotag]Cory Sandhagen[/autotag]’s approach was a more respectful one, urging O’Malley to give the fans a striker’s delight matchup. Sandhagen (17-5 MMA, 10-4 UFC) is coming off a main event loss to Umar Nurmagomedov at UFC on ABC 7 in August.

“Watching Merab win the title ⏩️ realizing you get Sandman v Suga because of it
.
Congrats, Merab. You earned it, man. O’Malley, time to give the people what they want. I don’t promise to not kiss you.”

https://www.instagram.com/p/C_9UdJSJ2Ul/?img_index=1

O’Malley seemed to take his loss in stride, posting a video of him working on his takedown defense on his Instagram. O’Malley was taken down six times by Dvalishvili and controlled for 10 minutes.

https://www.instagram.com/reel/C_7dwSGxkXz/?utm_source=ig_embed&ig_rid=012da435-4b90-4b52-9371-e83d30a962af

[lawrence-related id=2771797,2771790,2771717,2769586]

For more on the card, visit MMA Junkie’s event hub for UFC 306.

UFC on ABC 7: Cory Sandhagen vs. Umar Nurmagomedov odds, picks and predictions

Analyzing Saturday’s UFC on ABC 7 odds between Cory Sandhagen vs. Umar Nurmagomedov, with MMA picks and predictions.

[gambcom-standard rankid=”3011″ ]

In a 5-round bantamweight bout in the main event, Cory Sandhagen and Umar Nurmagomedov meet Saturday at UFC on ABC 7 at Etihad Arena in Abu Dhabi, United Arab Emirates. Let’s analyze FanDuel Sportsbook’s lines around the UFC on ABC 7: Sandhagen vs. Nurmagomedov odds, and make our expert picks and predictions.

The prelims begin noon ET, on ESPN2/ESPN+, while the main card starts at 3 p.m. ET, on ABC/ESPN.

Records: Sandhagen (17-4-0) | Nurmagomedov (17-0-0)

Sandhagen lost in his first and only UFC title fight against Petr Yan at UFC 267, but he has bounced back with 3 straight victories over Song Yadong, Marlon Vera and Rob Font, with the past 2 wins coming via decision.

For Nurmagomedov, he is unbeaten in 5 fights at the UFC level. In fact, he has never lost in 17 career pro bouts since Dec. 16, 2016. He picked up a unanimous-decision win March 2 against Bekzat Almakhan, coming on the heels of a Round 1 KO/TKO of Raoni Barcelos in Jan. 2023.

In 17 fights for Nurmagomedov, he has won 2 times via KO/TKO, and 7 times via submission. For Sandhagen, he has never been knocked out, going 7-0 via the method. He is 3-1 by way of submission, too.

Sandhagen holds a slight 1-inch reach advantage, and the switch-stance fighter has a 5.33-to-4.75 significant strikes landed per minute advantage.

Nurmagomedov is much more accurate at 74.49% on those strikes, while Sandhagen checks in at just 50.04%. Nurmagomedov is strong in the takedown game, too, posting a 4.51 takedown average and 56.00% takedown accuracy percentage.

Watch this card with ESPN+ by signing up here.

UFC on ABC 7: Sandhagen vs. Nurmagomedov odds

Provided by FanDuel Sportsbook; access USA TODAY Sports Scores and Sports Betting Odds hub for a full list. Lines last updated at 8:30 a.m. ET.

  • Fight result (2-way line): Sandhagen +280 (bet $100 to win $280) | Nurmagomedov -350 (bet $350 to win $100)
  • Over/Under: 4.5 rounds (Over -150 | Under +205)
  • Will the fight go the distance? (Yes -134 | No +106)

[gambcom-standard rankid=”3012″ ]

UFC on ABC 7: Sandhagen vs. Nurmagomedov picks and predictions

Fight result (2-way line or moneyline)

There is no value playing the unbeaten Nurmagomedov (-350), as he will cost you 3½ times your potential return. There is just no value playing such a heavy favorite. Let’s get more specific instead.

When Sandhagen has been beaten since Oct. 30, 2021, he has made the opposition work. He lost via split decision to TJ Dillashaw, and he lost via unanimous decision to Yan in the title fight.

If Sandhagen goes down, it will be because the unbeaten Dagestani fighter wowed the judges. Play NURMAGOMEDOV BY POINTS (+115) for a much better value.

Over/Under (O/U)

YES (-134): WILL THE FIGHT GO THE DISTANCE? isn’t a bad play, and it isn’t priced out line.

Sandhagen has gone the distance in 2 straight, and 4 of the past 5 bouts, against top competition.

For Nurmagomedov, he has needed the judges in 2 of his past 3 outings. OVER 4.5 ROUNDS (-150) is a suggested play if you’d like a little wiggle room in the event of a 5th-round finish.

Visit MMA Junkie for more fight news and analysis.

[gambcom-standard rankid=”5″ ]

For more sports betting picks and tips, check out SportsbookWire.com and BetFTW.

Follow Kevin J. Erickson on Twitter/X. Follow SportsbookWire on Twitter/X and us on Facebook.

[lawrence-newsletter]

[lawrence-auto-related count=3 category=2559]

What time is Cory Sandhagen vs. Umar Nurmagomedov fight? Walkout time for UFC on ABC 7 main event

Here’s when to expect Cory Sandhagen and Umar Nurmagomedov to make their cage walks at UFC Abu Dhabi.

[autotag]Cory Sandhagen[/autotag] and [autotag]Umar Nurmagomedov[/autotag] have the opportunity to assert themselves as the next title challenger in the bantamweight division when they meet in the UFC on ABC 7 main event. This bout is scheduled for five rounds is taking place Saturday, Aug. 3 at Etihad Arena in Abu Dhabi.

Sandhagen (17-4 MMA, 10-3 UFC) stumbled for a bit with back-to-back losses T.J. Dillashaw and Petr Yan but has since reeled off three wins in a row to reestablish himself as a title threat. Sandhagen has defeated contenders Song Yadong, Marlon Vera and most recently Rob Font last August.

Undefeated Nurmagomedov (17-0 MMA, 5-0 UFC) aims to be the next champion under the tutelage of UFC Hall of Famer Khabib Nurmagomedov. This fight against Sandhagen represents by far the biggest jump in competition of his career.

Here are the walkout times for the UFC on ABC 7 main event between Sandhagen and Nurmagomedov.

When does the UFC on ABC 7 fight card start?

  • The UFC on ABC 7 lineup consists of 14 fights. Prelims start at noon ET and the main card at 3 p.m. ET.

Cory Sandhagen vs. Umar Nurmagomedov walkout time

  • As the main event, Sandhagen and Nurmagomedov are expected to walk out to the cage at approximately 5:30 p.m. ET.
  • The fight will air on ABC and stream on ESPN+.

[lawrence-related id=2759700,2759615,2759544,2759366,2759142]

For more on the card, visit MMA Junkie’s event hub for UFC on ABC 7.

Analyzing UFC on ABC 7: Cory Sandhagen vs. Umar Nurmagomedov, Tony Ferguson’s return, more

On the latest episode of “Spinning Back Clique,” the panel previews the key bouts at Saturday’s UFC on ABC 7 in Abu Dhabi.

There’s a big UFC event this weekend, with lots to discuss.

The octagon returns to Abu Dhabi with UFC on ABC 7 – an action-packed card with several important matchups. In the main event, top bantamweight contenders [autotag]Cory Sandhagen[/autotag] and [autotag]Umar Nurmagomedov[/autotag] clash in what may likely be a title eliminator bout. Additionally, [autotag]Shara Magomedov[/autotag] takes on [autotag]Michal Oleksiejczuk[/autotag], fan-favorite bantamweights [autotag]Marlon Vera[/autotag] and [autotag]Deiveson Figueiredo[/autotag], clash, and [autotag]Tony Ferguson[/autotag] makes his return, among other matchups.

With a big Fight Night on the horizon, MMA Junkie’s Brian “Goze” Garcia, Nolan King, Danny Segura, and host “Gorgeous” George Garcia previewed and analyzed the biggest bouts on UFC on ABC 7.

Watch their discussion in the video above, and don’t miss this week’s complete episode below on YouTube and in podcast form.

https://www.youtube.com/live/9k7Kg6cunT4

[lawrence-auto-related count=3 category=420030788]

UFC on ABC 7 video: Cory Sandhagen vs. Umar Nurmagomedov final faceoff in Abu Dhabi

Check out the final faceoff between UFC on ABC 7 headliners Cory Sandhagen and Umar Nurmagomedov in Abu Dhabi.

ABU DHABI – [autotag]Cory Sandhagen[/autotag] and [autotag]Umar Nurmagomedov[/autotag] had their final pre-fight meeting at Friday’s ceremonial weigh-ins ahead of their UFC on ABC 7 main event.

Sandhagen (17-4 MMA, 10-3 UFC) goes after what arguably would be the biggest win of his career Saturday against the unbeaten Nurmagomedov (17-0 MMA, 5-0 UFC). The fight is expected to be a title eliminator in the bantamweight division.

Watch the video above to see the UFC on ABC 7 ceremonial weigh-in faceoff between Sandhagen and Nurmagomedov. UFC on ABC 7 (ABC, ESPN2, ESPN+) takes place Saturday at Etihad Arena in Yas Island, Abu Dhabi.

For more on the card, visit MMA Junkie’s event hub for UFC on ABC 7.