For all the talk of interim belts, title stripping, and unifications that has occupied the MMA community in recent years, Cory Sandhagen sees things more simply. He expects to defeat Petr Yan and claim the interim bantamweight belt.
However, due to the manner in which Yan lost the belt – via DQ thanks to an illegal knee – Sandhagen views this is a more legitimate title than the one currently occupied by Aljamain Sterling.
Sandhagen Trashes Dillashaw and Sterling, Says He’ll be the Champ with UFC 267 Win
Sandhagen explained his position at the UFC 267 media day. “I think Aljamain [Sterling] had to retreat and T.J. [Dillashaw]’s village is still on fire from when I set it on fire.
So if we’re talking like ancient war type stuff, which is how I like to view this game — it’s just funner for me to do it that way — I’m the guy that can take the land.
Those other two guys can’t right now. I’m the guy that can take the land. So I’ll see myself as champ. I know that most of the public sees Yan as the champ anyway. I know that I definitely will have some making up to do — like I definitely still need to make up my two losses against Aljamain and against T.J. also — but I’ll go home with a smile on my face, calling myself the champ if I win.”
Petr Yan shared a similar sentiment earlier in the week, stating that there was nothing interim about this title bout.
Technically, both Cory Sandhagen and Petr Yan are coming off the back of losses. Yan lost a title defense to Aljamain Sterling thanks to an illegal knee to Sterling’s head. Cory Sandhagen lost a controversial split decision against TJ Dillashaw in the latter’s return to competition following his fall from grace over a doping violation.
Yan has maintained since the Sterling fight that he is still the true champion of the 135-pound division. Cory Sandhagen disputed the judges’ decision for the Dillashaw fight, pointing out how much damage he had inflicted on Dillashaw over the course of five rounds.
Of course, MMA judging has been under fire frequently this year precisely because many fighters feel robbed of decision wins.
Neither challenger is likely to leave this fight up to the judges, given the opportunity. Cory Sandhagen and Petr Yan will want to leave no doubt in anybody’s mind as to who the true champ is.
Do you think the “interim” belt is more legit than the one aroud Aljamain Sterling’s waist? Let us know in the comments.
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