Michael Bisping compliments Cory Sandhagen for risking your ranking vs. Umar Nurmagomedov.
Sandhagen (17-4 MMA, 10-3 UFC) faces Nurmagomedov (17-0 MMA, 5-0 UFC) in the main event of UFC on ABC 7, which takes place on August 3 at the Etihad Arena in Abu Dhabi.
After Merab Dvalishvili gets his chance against UFC bantamweight champion Sean O’Malley, Bisping hopes the next No. 1 contender emerges from the victory between Sandhagen and Nurmagomedov.
“When it comes to candidates, Cory Sandhagen is there,” Bisping said TNT Sports. “He has proven to be a worthy guy, but he needs to keep fighting to establish himself and get his chance. There is no one better, there is no one hungrier, there is no one more undeniable than Umar Nurmagomedov.
“Of course with that last name, with the resume, the invincibility and the complete skills. (He is) Dagestani – we know that wrestling exists. But the man is also a kickboxing phenomenon. This is a tremendous fight. Of course, it’s the main event and whoever wins will be next for Sean O’Malley.”
Bisping thinks both Sandhagen and Nurmagomedov have a lot to lose, but it’s Sandhagen, the UFC’s No. 2-ranked bantamweight, who is fighting someone ranked eight spots below him.
“It’s kind of a bad situation for both of them,” Bisping said. “On paper, they’re both right there. Cory Sandhagen won a title fight. Remember that absolute swoon he had with (Marlon) ‘Chito’ Vera? No disrespect to ‘Chito’ – he’s a good friend of mine – but Cory Sandhagen was just one step ahead. He is a beautiful striker. He has great finishes. He has excellent wrestling. He is very tall and aims for the division.
“He won a great competition and now he will face the undefeated Dagestan with a lot of enthusiasm and a great surname. So I kind of feel sorry for Cory Sandhagen, but credit to this guy, kudos to him, because he’s willing to do this. He is willing to risk everything to face Umar Nurmagomedov. It’s a sensational fight.”
For more information on the card, visit the MMA Junkie events hub to UFC Abu Dhabi.
