Cory Sandhagen Talks Future, After Getting “Some Juice” With Huge Win

Cory Sandhagen probably isn’t a mainstream, household name yet, but the bantamweight hopes he took a big step towards changing that on Saturday night.

Sandhagen hopes he got “some juice” from highlight reel finish

The 28-year-old Sandhagen was booked to face established and decorated contender Marlon Moraes at UFC Fight Island 5, following his quick, submission loss to Aljamain Sterling in June. Well, not only did Sandhagen return to the win column, he did so in electrifying fashion.

The dynamic fighter sent Moraes to the deck with a spinning heel kick in round two, and then brought about the stoppage with follow-up punches. It was unquestionably the biggest and most memorable win of Sandhagen’s UFC run to date.

So what’s next for Sandhagen? Who was ranked #4 prior to Saturday’s card?

While talking to the media afterward, Sandhagen had this to say about his next steps (quotes via MMA Junkie).

“Honestly, I’ve been doing that for a year or two now where it’s like, ‘OK, there’s a big fight coming up. I don’t have a fight coming up.

I’m going to keep my weight low, and I’m going to stay ready,’” Sandhagen said. “I’ve been doing that in camp.

I’ve been doing that almost the whole time I’ve been in the UFC. But, yeah, I’m definitely going to do that now because I think I’m probably the No. 1 guy if one of those guys gets hurt.

“I would feel really bad if they did me and (Petr) Yan, and they did that to Sterling. That being said, it’s a dog-eat-dog sport, you know?

So if they give me that shot, I’m taking that shot. But I think it should be Sterling and Yan.”

And so, who does Sandhagen think could or should be tabled as opponents?

“The only other two other guys that have an argument are Frankie (Edgar) and T.J. (Dillashaw). (Maybe I fight) one of those guys before they end up fighting each other,” Sandhagen said.

“Hopefully I’m not this little name after this. Hopefully I have some pull in the sport because that’s kind of where I feel like I’ve been.

They’re giving me really good fights, but I never felt like if I called someone out it was going to get a lot of juice. But I think I got some juice tonight.”

Edgar or Dillashaw?

It will be interesting to see what happens here. Sandhagen’s right, on account of Sterling’s run and his quick win over Cory, he deserves to face the new champ next.

Edgar could be a possibility for Sandhagen, as the former lightweight champ’s ranked #5, after he defeated Pedro Munhoz in August. Plus, Edgar was supposed to fight Sandhagen in January, but after he was stopped by Chan Sung Jung in December the fight was punted.

Dillashaw would also make for an interesting opponent for Sandhagen. But, it’s not clear yet whether the UFC might have the former champ wait to face the winner of Yan – Sterling.

Opponents aside, one would think that Sandhagen’s profile has never been bigger, on account of what he did Saturday night.