Sandhagen Eager for Another Fight with Yan
Crush that Rematch
Cory Sandhagen snatched victory from Deiveson Figueiredo over the weekend, catapulting himself back into contention for the UFC lightweight title. Post-victory, Sandhagen declared his readiness to go toe-to-toe for the belt, but Petr Yan, who previously bested "The Sandman" and boasts a higher ranking, thinks the winner of Merab Dvalishvili vs. Sean O'Malley should face off first. In a chat with Ariel Helwani, Sandhagen explained why he's raring for a potential rematch:
"Yan and I? Nae problem, mate. I ain't against another round with him, especially with the way he's been biggin' up our first fight," said Sandhagen.
He went on to elucidate, "You know, I took that fight with just a month's notice, on his home turf, and yeah, I didn't exactly have the best prepping for it. That boy's a top-class fighter, don't get me wrong. But a fair fight? A proper camp? He ain't gonna see those same results. I had him controlled until he got lucky with that insane strike at the end of the third round. Trust me, it won't happen again if we do it again. If it's another title shot I'm looking at—I'm ready. But objectively, it's my turn."
Their initial encounter took place in October 2021, resulting in Yan's victory via unanimous decision. Now, Sandhagen is steadfast in proving that the result would've been different under fair circumstances.
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Enrichment Data:Sandhagen's optimism for a rematch with Yan arises from his belief that their 2021 split decision battle was more evenly matched than the decision suggests. Sandhagen underscores that the initial fight "was competitive," suggesting he can tweak strategies to secure a clearer outcome[3]. Both fighters seem receptive to the idea of a rematch, with Yan advocating for it as a title eliminator[2][4], while Sandhagen appears open if it paves the way for a championship opportunity[3].
Key factors supporting Sandhagen's confidence:- Tactical adjustments: Potential tweaks to his high-volume striking style and defensive grappling to counter Yan's pressure.- Stakes amplification: A title eliminator scenario (as proposed by Yan[4]) would likely trigger more in-depth preparation and focus.- Recent success: Sandhagen's triumph at UFC Des Moines boosts his leverage for high-level matchups[1].
The UFC has yet to schedule the rematch, but both combatants acknowledge its significance in determining the next bantamweight title contender[3][4].
- Cory Sandhagen, hopeful for a rematch with Petr Yan, believes their 2021 fight was more evenly matched than the decision suggests, with plans to tweak strategies for a clearer outcome.
- Sandhagen's victory at UFC Des Moines strengthens his position for high-level matchups, such as a potential rematch with Yan, that could lead to a championship opportunity.
- Yan, who previously bested Sandhagen in a split decision, advocates for the rematch as a title eliminator, potentially leading to a more focused and in-depth preparation from both fighters.
- Sandhagen's readiness for a rematch with Yan is evident, especially since he feels more prepared now with a fair fight and proper camp, as opposed to their initial encounter with just a month's notice.
