T.J. Dillashaw thinks Cory Sandhagen could be UFC champion right now.
In order to get that opportunity, Sandhagen (17-4 MMA, 10-3 UFC) has to get past Umar Nurmagomedov (17-0 MMA, 5-0 UFC) in the UFC on ABC 7 main event, which takes place Aug. 3 at Etihad Arena in Abu Dhabi.
Former champion Dillashaw’s last octagon win came over Sandhagen when he edged him out in a back-and-forth battle in July 2021. While Dillashaw sees Sandhagen beating UFC bantamweight champion Sean O'Malley, he thinks Nurmagomedov is a more stern test for him.
“It is a tough fight,” Dillashaw said on the “JAXXON PODCAST.” “I think Sandhagen should be champion right now. He’d beat O’Malley all day. I think that’s the toughest fight for O’Malley in the weight class. (If) Sandhagen gets through this fight, he’ll be world champion.
“This is a tough one for him to get through, though. I don’t like this fight for him. I hope that he gets through it. The guy he’s fighting is a dog. He’s a good wrestler – he can hold him down.”
Despite being the far more experienced fighter, Sandhagen opened up as a slight underdog against Nurmagomedov.
“It is very dangerous for both of them because Cory’s next up for a title fight (if) he wins this one,” Dillashaw said. “Umar’s trying to get to the top, and (now Sandhagen) needs to go back down a couple steps (for this fight). So I think it’s dangerous for both of them, but that’s what makes it a great f*cking fight.”
For more on the card, visit MMA Junkie’s event hub for UFC Abu Dhabi.
