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Corey Sandhagen is intended to make his dream come true. Often, not a bridesmaid, but never a bride, Sandhagen announced one of the most memorable victories ever, dismantling former UFC flyweight champion Deiveson Figueiredo in the main event of UFC Fight Night. On Saturday, Sandhagen nailed the audition for the incontroversial UFC title shot.
“I now dreamed of becoming a world champion for more than half of my life,” Sandhagen said after winning his second TKO in Des Moines, Iowa. “UFC, please give me the opportunity to show you how wonderful I am for the whole world. Please.”
Sandhagen pitched the perfect game with Figueiredo. “The Sandman” closed Figueiredo’s leglock attempt, raining down a strike and undoubtedly won the first round of 10-8. The fruitless commitment to the attack on Figueiredo’s legs was unusual and inevitably his downfall. In round two, Sandhagen reversed positions while entangled in a 50-50 position caused by leg attack. Figueired quickly, screaming in pain. The referee ruled the winning battle at Sandhagen’s TKO due to injury.
Sandhagen (18-5) lost four times in the UFC. Every time, the one who beat him then fought for the UFC bantamweight title. Saturday’s decisive victory was important, even in an extraordinary halt, after losing to Umar Nurmagomedov, UFC Bantamweight champion Merab Dvalishvili’s final title challenger.
“There’s nothing to fire you like loss. I have a really good team behind me,” Sandhagen said. “We work, and I will be the champion one day.
“I’m ready to win that belt. I want Sean O’Malley or Merab, I want a winner. It’s a backup if they want.”
Sandhagen must heal and reevaluate Figueiredo (24-5-1) while pressing the press in his bantamweight title campaign. There is a meaningful gap between former two-time flyweight champion Figueid and the bantamweight crown. He started his 135 pound campaign with three consecutive wins, but now he’s fighting for two consecutive losses and injuries.
