"Corey Sandhagen reminisces on a squashed matchup: 'Always admired this individual'"
Cashing in on Cory
MMA fan favorite Cory Sandhagen has had his fair share of high-profile fights in the UFC octagon, squaring off against heavyweights like Frankie Edgar, Aljamain Sterling, TJ Dillashaw, and Petr Yan. Despite repeatedly calling out Dominick Cruz for a showdown, the bout never transpired, much to Sandhagen's frustration.
"The Sandman" shared his sentiments during a media day prior to UFC on ESPN 67, stating, "Stuff like 'We're trying to set you up with Cruz, we want to make it happen' was always tossed around, but it never did. It's frustrating. I really wanted that fight."
Sandhagen continued, "I've always admired Cruz. When I watch my old fights, I think, 'Dang, I fight like Dominick Cruz.' Of course, I've evolved a lot since then, but I've always tried to emulate him."
As we eagerly await Cory Sandhagen's main event match against Deiveson Figueiredo at UFC on ESPN 67 on May 4, held at the "Wells Fargo Arena" in Des Moines, let's take a closer look at why the highly-anticipated matchup against Cruz never materialized.
Behind the Curtains
Although official reasons remain elusive, potential factors that may have contributed to the cancellation of the Cruz-Sandhagen bout could include scheduling conflicts, matchmaking priorities, or timing issues. Cruz was already slated to face off against Rob Font at UFC Seattle, as of January 7, 2025. Meanwhile, opportunities for other contenders in the stacked bantamweight division might have outweighed the possibility of the Cruz-Sandhagen matchup. Additionally, Sandhagen's own commitments, such as a UFC Fight Night main event, at around the same time, could have played a role in the bout's inability to come to fruition.
With Cruz's fight against Font set and Sandhagen's other appearances on the calendar, the proximity of these commitments likely played a significant role in the cancellation of the much-anticipated duel between the two fighters.
👇 More on the MMA World:
- Betting and prediction for Cory Sandhagen vs. Deiveson Figueiredo, May 4, 2025
Bookmakers around the world have been actively discussing the upcoming clash between Cory Sandhagen and Deiveson Figueiredo, with Sandhagen showcasing impressive odds despite the absence of his long-awaited match against Dominick Cruz.
Though Cruz faced off against Rob Font instead, the lack of the much-anticipated Cruz-Sandhagen bout still lingers in the minds of fans, as Cory Sandhagen has repeatedly expressed his admiration for Cruz and his desire to emulate the veteran fighter's style in the mixed-martial-arts arena.
Despite the disheartening turn of events, Sandhagen remains focused on the task at hand, aiming to prove himself against Figueiredo in the Wells Fargo Arena, Des Moines, on May 4, 2025.
Interestingly, the Cruz-Sandhagen bout may still be a subject of debate among the UFC's matchmakers, as the two fighters' schedules and commitments have been a potential stumbling block in the past.
