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3 next opponents for Cory Sandhagen

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3 next opponents for Cory Sandhagen

As a seasoned MMA enthusiast with decades of following this sport, I must say that the upcoming fights in the UFC bantamweight division are truly exciting! The main event at UFC 306 between Merab Dvalishvili and Sean O’Malley is a clash of titans. Both fighters have impressive backgrounds; Dvalishvili, with his unyielding wrestling prowess and unbroken winning streak, and O’Malley, the knockout artist who trains at the MMA Lab alongside some formidable bantamweights. I can’t help but wonder if the loser of this titanic battle could potentially face Sandhagen in a rematch or an intriguing matchup.

The UFC Abu Dhabi main event occurred between No. 2 ranked Cory Sandhagen and No. 10 ranked Umar Nurmagomedov. It was a high-level chess match with so much skill involved that it was entertaining to watch. Nurmagomedov won a unanimous decision, securing himself a top-five ranking and likely a title shot for his next fight. Sandhagen did not make it easy for Nurmagomedov, as he showed good skill in range striking and wrestling defense. Sandhagen deserves respect as he took a fight against a low-ranked killer not many in his position would take while still showing why he is a top contender. There are good opponent options for Sandhagen next, as he will look to pursue winning again.

1. Deiveson Figueiredo

6th-ranked Deiveson Figueiredo recently scored a unanimous decision victory over 4th-ranked Marlon Vera, both on the same event and card as Sandhagen vs. Nurmagomedov. Figueiredo displayed impressive wrestling and striking skills, making Vera, who was previously known for his indestructible chin, the first to be knocked down. With this win, Figueiredo is just one fight away from title contention, and a matchup with Sandhagen, another elite-level competitor, could serve as the final hurdle towards securing a title opportunity in his second weight class. Notably, two of Figueiredo’s last three victories were against opponents that Sandhagen had also defeated, and some argue that Figueiredo outperformed Sandhagen in style during those bouts.

Since 2012, Figueiredo has been active in MMA, honing his skills at Chute Box, a well-known Brazilian gym home to notable fighters like Charles Oliveira, a fan favorite and former lightweight champion. He began his career with an impressive undefeated streak of 11 wins, facing opponents primarily in various Brazilian organizations and finishing most of them off. Figueiredo later joined the UFC in 2017, achieving a record of 6-1, with the majority of those victories coming via finish as he strived to secure a flyweight title opportunity. In July 2020, he defeated top-five contender Joseph Benavidez to claim the vacant title in a rematch; however, Figueiredo was unable to win the title initially because he missed weight. After successfully defending his title against Alex Perez at UFC 255, Figueiredo found himself embroiled in one of the most well-known rivalries with Brandon Moreno, which ultimately resulted in Moreno winning with a score of 2-1-1.

After failing to secure the flyweight title twice at UFC 283 in January 2023, Figueiredo decided to move up to the bantamweight division. He found success as he grew older, feeling that the weight cut was affecting his career advancement. Being a large fighter for this division already, Figueiredo started a strong climb towards the top from December 2023 onwards. He defeated opponents like Rob Font, Cody Garbrandt, and Marlon Vera, showcasing his powerful strikes and solid wrestling skills. A potential matchup with Sandhagen would be both stylistically intriguing and high-level, though it may not happen soon due to their differing schedules. If both fighters express interest at some point, there’s the potential for an intense battle.

2. Loser of Sean O’Malley vs. Merab Dvalishvili

This is a solid idea for Sandhagen as it is a high-stakes situation where two top-five fighters are coming off losses and need a win, pushing themselves to fight at their best. He has a history of being interested in battling both fighters at some point. Sandhagen has always said he and Sean O’Malley would be a fun fight for fans, and he is correct because of the styles each fighter possesses. Merab Dvalishvili is another interesting idea because Sandhagen called him out for a title eliminator after defeating Vera in March 2023. However, that did not happen due to Dvalishvili having a hand injury, leading to Sandhagen being scheduled to face Nurmagomedov and instead dominating Font.

Since 2013, O’Malley has been competing in MMA and honing his skills at the MMA Lab alongside other talented bantamweights like Mario Bautista and Kyler Phillips. Following a thrilling win on Dana White’s Contender Series, O’Malley went on to claim the title from Aljimain Sterling, the dominant bantamweight champion, at UFC 292 in August 2023. Meanwhile, Dvalishvili debuted in MMA in 2014 and trains at Serra-Longo Fight Team, primarily with his friend, Sterling. Despite a rocky start in the UFC with two consecutive losses, Dvalishvili, known for his endurance in wrestling, has since embarked on an impressive 10-fight winning streak starting from 2018. This stretch includes victories over former champions including Jose Aldo, Yan, and Henry Cejudo. O’Malley and Dvalishvili are set to face off in a highly anticipated title bout at UFC 306 on September 14. Sandhagen might also be interested, as the outcome of this main event could potentially lead to an engaging match for him.

3. Winner of Jose Aldo vs. Mario Bautista

At UFC 307, it’s been confirmed that No. 8 ranked Jose Aldo will square off against No. 12 ranked Mario Bautista. The victor of this bout could find themselves facing significant prospects for a spot in the top five rankings, potentially battling contenders like Sandhagen. When fighters such as Sandhagen lose a title-contending fight or eliminator match, they often move down the rankings to offer less established fighters a chance at title contention. If Aldo emerges victorious against Bautista, he may secure a shot at the top five and an opportunity to bolster his record by facing Sandhagen. Conversely, if Bautista wins, he could be granted a rematch with Sandhagen, who submitted him during his UFC debut in January 2019, allowing him to demonstrate his growth since that defeat.

In 2004, Aldo embarked on his MMA journey, rising to become one of the most formidable featherweight champions in history with an impressive nine title defenses. However, his reign came to an unexpected end against rising star Conor McGregor at UFC 194 in December 2015. Post-title loss, Aldo continued to face and defeat strong opponents within the featherweight division, while falling short against the absolute elite like Max Holloway. In 2019, Aldo moved up a weight class to bantamweight, repeating his pattern by defeating capable fighters such as Vera, but losing to top-tier contenders like Yan and Dvalishvilli. After retiring in 2022 following the defeat to Dvalishvilli, Aldo decided to explore boxing, participating in low-profile bouts with limited recognition. In May 2024, Aldo made a comeback to face Jonathan Martinez at UFC 301, securing a unanimous decision victory and a bantamweight ranking.

In 2017, Bautista began training in MMA at the MMA Lab, as previously mentioned. Following his debut fight loss against Sandhagen in UFC in 2019, he has managed to win more bouts than he’s lost. After Sandhagen, Bautista defeated Son Jin-soo and Miles Johns, only to suffer a knockout defeat at the hands of Trevin Jones during UFC 259 in March 2021. However, since then, Bautista has been on a winning streak of six fights, including victories over Brian Kelleher and Ricky Simón. The rematch between Bautista and Sandhagen promises to be intriguing due to Bautista’s impressive boxing and wrestling skills, especially if he manages to outshine Aldo. On the other hand, Aldo boasts strong boxing, wrestling defense, and powerful kicks that make for an exciting match against Sandhagen.

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2024-08-05 19:13

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