UFC bantamweight contender Cory Sandhagen addressed critics questioning his decision to fight Umar Nurmagomedov.
Sandhagen (16-4 MMA, 9-3 UFC) takes on undefeated Nurmagomedov (16-0 MMA, 4-0 UFC) in a UFC Fight Night headliner Aug. 5 at Bridgestone Arena in Nashville.
With former interim title challenger Sandhagen coming off back-to-back main event wins over Song Yadong and Marlon Vera, Nurmagomedov is a step down in the rankings. So why fight him?
It’s simple: Sandhagen explained that he’s not one to back down from a challenge.
“Hey, I know you guys saw the announcement,” Sandhagen said in an Instagram video. “I’m fighting Aug. 5 against Umar Nurmagomedov. I’m getting a lot of haters saying, ‘Why would you fight this far down in the rankings?’ He’s going to beat my ass, blah, blah, blah.
“Two reasons: One, Umar is a great fighter, and I’m not trying to be world champ if I’m not the actual best in the entire world. So fighting Umar is a great challenge, and I accept it. And No. 2? Because I’m a beast, b*tch, that’s why. Peace, I’ll see you guys in Nashville. Yippee ki-yay, motherf*cker.”
Nurmagomedov, who has struggled to find opponents since joining the UFC roster, is considered a high-risk, low-reward fight for Sandhagen. The unbeaten 27-year-old is coming off a first-round Performance of the Night knockout of Raoni Barcelos at UFC Fight Night 217 in January.
