Cory Sandhagen might have been fighting for a world title in his last UFC outing, but he doesn’t mind fighting down the rankings this weekend. Sandhagen is set to face fellow bantamweight Song Yadong at UFC Fight Night 210 on Saturday night, but unlike many of his fellow top-ranked fighters, Sandhagen isn’t afraid to face a lower-ranked opponent. He told MMAJunkie that Song Yadong is still elite competition, and the way back to a title shot means he has to face the best.
Specifically, he dismissed the idea that the UFC rankings are a be-all and end-all of measuring fighter ability. “The rankings are just for people to understand the guys that are fighting better because there are a lot of fighters in the UFC, and when they have a certain number next to them, it gives them a level of importance that they may or may not be qualified for.
Sandhagen Dismisses UFC Rankings Ahead of Song Yadong Clash
But I think Song is definitely a top-10 guy. I think he’s a very good fighter, I think he’s beat some really good guys before, and that’s why I’m willing to fight him. I do think he’s good, and he brings a danger that it’s easy for me to wake up for and get up in the mornings.”
Song Yadong is currently ranked no. 10 in the UFC bantamweight rankings, while Cory Sandhagen sits at no. 4. Sandhagen’s last two fights ended in disappointment. First was a controversial split decision loss to returning former champion T.J. Dillashaw. Then came his failure to capture the interim belt against another former champ, Petr Yan. Sandhagen will be looking to correct the skid this weekend when he faces Song Yadong, and credited a long layoff following the Yan loss with his rejuvenated love of the sport.
“It was a great time away. It was definitely needed. I just wanted to develop some of the skills that I needed to develop that I feel that I really need in order to be champ. Lost a couple of close ones recently, so got kind of sick of that, so wanted to fix that. It was good time away. I really needed it in order to become an actual champion.”
Apart from the Dillashaw and Yan losses, Cory Sandhagen’s only other UFC loss came back in 2020, against the current champ, Aljamain Sterling. Beating everyone but the division’s champions is an impressive feat, and it’s a record that Sandhagen will look to maintain this weekend.
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