Cory Sandhagen: 'Masterful performance' vs. Deiveson Figueiredo can set up UFC title shot
Cory Sandhagen is determined to get a UFC title shot in 2025, and it starts with a UFC on ESPN 67 main event win over Deiveson Figueiredo.
After dropping a unanimous decision to Umar Nurmagomedov in a bantamweight title eliminator in August, Sandhagen (17-5 MMA, 10-4 UFC) will attempt to put himself back on the contender path against Figueiredo (24-4-1 MMA, 13-4-1 UFC) in the headliner of the May 3 event at Wells Fargo Arena in Des Moines, Iowa (ESPN2, ESPN+).
With expectations that 135-pound champ Merab Dvalishvili will rematch Sean O'Malley in his next defense, Sandhagen is looking at his upcoming fight as a prime opportunity to make a statement. He is one of the highly ranked names who hasn't fought either man, and Sandhagen thinks there would be fan desire to see him fight Dvalishvili (19-4 MMA, 12-2 UFC) or O'Malley (18-2 MMA, 10-2 UFC) for gold if he performs in the manner he anticipates.
"I like the fight a lot," Sandhagen told MMA Junkie. "I have a lot of advantages going into this fight against Figgy. I've grown so much as a fighter. I lost a close one against a guy that lost a close one to the champ. I still don't think I'm very far off from the belt by any means. I still think that I could one or two fights away for sure. I'm the only guy that hasn't fought Merab that's kind of going to be in the talks here pretty soon. I also think the entire world wants to see me and O'Malley fight each other. They've been begging for that fight, so that's one that I definitely want too.
"I think this year is going to be a really good year for me. Hopefully I'll get in three fights and one of them will be a championship fight. That might be a little optimistic, but that's what I'm going to shoot for. I'm just excited to get back in. I think that I'm going to look great against a guy like Figgy. I do really well against guys that are hunting for a shot to finish the fight. With Figgy you have to worry about submissions and knockout, but I do really well against those guys and I think it's going to be a fight where I can look really dynamic and put on a really masterful performance."
Sandhagen, No. 6 in the latest USA TODAY Sports/MMA Junkie bantamweight rankings, said he sees paths to victory for both Dvalishvili and O'Malley in a potential rematch for the belt. The 32-year-old likes how he matches up with both sides, and hopes he'll have the support if he can deliver against No. 11-ranked Figueiredo.
"Whether O'Malley or Merab wins, I'm the only guy in the top five that hasn't fought Merab," Sandhagen said. "Then O'Malley is someone people have been begging to have me and him fight for a really long time. The way that I think that I can beat Figgy, I'm pretty sure in my head is going to be a performance that speaks very loudly to me getting a title shot next."
For more on the card, visit MMA Junkie's event hub for UFC on ESPN 67.
This article originally appeared on MMA Junkie: Cory Sandhagen: 'Masterful performance' vs. Deiveson Figueiredo can set up UFC title shot
-
Islam Makhachev's coach open to 'perfect matchup' Justin Gaethje next after UFC 313
Javier Mendez is not opposed to Justin Gaethje getting the next UFC lightweight title shot. Gaethje (26-5 MMA, 9-5 UFC) called for a title shot after defeating Rafael Fiziev by unanimous decision ...Yahoo Sports - 2d -
Brendan Schaub: 'The UFC's in some trouble' after Alex Pereira lost light heavyweight title
Brendan Schaub thinks Alex Pereira losing his title is a problem for the UFC. Pereira (12-3 MMA, 9-2 UFC) lost his light heavyweight title to Magomed Ankalaev (21-1-1 MMA, 12-1-1 UFC) by unanimous ...Yahoo Sports - 2d -
'Dolidze vs. Adesanya?': Fighters react to Roman Dolidze's victory over Marvin Vettori at UFC Fight Night 254
Roman Dolidze achieved the high point of his octagon career on Saturday when he avenged a key loss against Marvin Vettori in the UFC Fight Night 254 main event. After dropping a unanimous decision ...Yahoo Sports - 1d -
Alex Pereira's coaches think he beat Magomed Ankalaev at UFC 313, promise 'Poatan 2.0' in rematch
Alex Pereira's coaches disagree with the UFC 313 decision. Pereira (12-3 MMA, 9-2 UFC) lost his light heavyweight title to Magomed Ankalaev (21-1-1 MMA, 12-1-1 UFC) by unanimous decision in ...Yahoo Sports - 3d -
Chael Sonnen: 'The narrative that Alex Pereira can’t wrestle is over' after UFC 313
Chael Sonnen is still hopeful that Alex Pereira could pose Jon Jones problems after UFC 313. Pereira (12-3 MMA, 9-2 UFC) lost his light heavyweight title to Magomed Ankalaev (21-1-1 MMA, 12-1-1 ...Yahoo Sports - 2d -
Ankalaev ends Pereira's UFC reign by decision
Magomed Ankalaev dethroned Alex Pereira on Saturday night, taking a unanimous decision to become the new light heavyweight champion in the main event of UFC 313.ESPN - Mar. 9 -
Jamahal Hill vs. Khalil Rountree: Odds and what to know ahead of UFC Kansas City main event
Former title challengers Jamahal Hill and Khalil Rountree will throw down in a pivotal light heavyweight clash. Jamahal Hill vs. Khalil Rountree preview Former champion Hill (12-3 MMA, 6-3 UFC) ...Yahoo Sports - 2d -
UFC 313 results: Ankalaev dethrones Pereira, wins by unanimous decision
The UFC's light heavyweight division has a new champion, following Magomed Ankalaev's win over Alex Pereira.ESPN - Mar. 9 -
UFC Fight Night 254 video: Marvin Vettori, Roman Dolidze make weight in Las Vegas
LAS VEGAS – The main event for the UFC's last of three straight weeks in "Sin City" is official after the headliners made weight Friday. Ahead of UFC Fight Night 254 (ESPN+), which takes place ...Yahoo Sports - 2d
More from Yahoo Sports
-
‘Frustrated’ Suns still searching for answers. Those may not come until summer.
“It's frustrating. We show we can do the right thing sometimes, and then sometimes we don’t,” Devin Booker said.Yahoo Sports - 20m -
Ja’Marr Chase, Tee Higgins used shocking leverage to get deals with Bengals done
The Bengals had no choice...for a bigger reason than it seems.Yahoo Sports - 23m -
Kentucky vs. Liberty game time set for 2025 NCAA Tournament opener
What time does Kentucky women’s basketball play Liberty in March Madness? Here’s the game time for 2025 NCAA Tournament opener.Yahoo Sports - 25m -
Oregon women's basketball vs. Vanderbilt game time set for 2025 NCAA Tournament opener
What time does Oregon women's basketball play Vanderbilt in March Madness? Here's the game time for 2025 NCAA Tournament opener.Yahoo Sports - 25m -
Bengals sign WR duo to historic deals totaling $276 million
Bengals make Ja'Marr Chase the highest-paid non-QB in NFL history; Tee Higgins the highest-paid No. 2 WR in league historyYahoo Sports - 25m
More in Sports
-
Ja'Marr Chase extension: 10 highest-paid non-quarterbacks in NFL after Bengals star gets massive new deal
Chase is now the highest-paid non-quarterback in NFL historyCBS Sports - 13m -
Bengals make Ja'Marr Chase the NFL's highest-paid non-QB, also sign Tee Higgins to massive deal, per reports
The duo is staying in CincinnatiCBS Sports - 18m -
‘Frustrated’ Suns still searching for answers. Those may not come until summer.
“It's frustrating. We show we can do the right thing sometimes, and then sometimes we don’t,” Devin Booker said.Yahoo Sports - 20m -
March Madness 2025: Michigan wins the Big Ten Tournament, gets No. 5 seed; make it make sense
The Wolverines earned more respect than the committee showed on SundayCBS Sports - 23m -
Ja’Marr Chase, Tee Higgins used shocking leverage to get deals with Bengals done
The Bengals had no choice...for a bigger reason than it seems.Yahoo Sports - 23m