Jose Aldo’s storybook return to the UFC octagon had fans dreaming big. Aldo’s flawless performance immediately sparked talks of an improbable title run. Nevertheless, fellow bantamweight contender Cory Sandhagen is here to deliver a dose of reality. He clear-cut removed all rumors about Aldo getting the potential title shot next.
The all-time great Jose Aldo looked like he never left after a two-year retirement at UFC 301 in Rio de Janeiro. He dominated rising prospect Jonathan Martinez over three lopsided rounds to pick up an emotional win on home soil. However, Sandhagen believes those hopes are severely misguided based on one feel-good win over an unranked opponent.
No way, man. I love Aldo, man, Aldo is the absolute man. But you don’t get to come back from retirement and then beat a guy way down in the rankings and just fight for the belt. I love Aldo, but definitely not. There’s too many good guys in the division for that to be the case.
Cory Sandhagen via The MMA Hour
Sandhagen argued that there were simply too many worthy contenders in the bantamweight division. Sandhagen himself is set to face another bantamweight prospect, Umar Nurmagomedov. They will fight against each other in a 5 round battle at the Etihad Arena in UAE.
No matter what happens next, Aldo’s return to glory already provided one of 2024’s most special moments inside the cage. Even if some, like Cory Sandhagen, are skeptical about him going all the way to the top again. The fight fans would love to see the legend Aldo return to the cage sooner rather than later.
Cory Sandhagen guaranteed a title shot after the next fight
If Cory Sandhagen is to be believed, his long journey to another shot at the UFC title will finally reach its destination later this year. “The Sandman” claimed that a high-ranking UFC official had assured him of a championship opportunity. This happens if he can get past one more major hurdle first. That hurdle is the streaking Umar Nurmagomedov.
Cory Sandhagen guaranteed a title shot after the next fight (via Imago)Sandhagen revealed in a recent interview that the UFC’s Chief Business Officer Hunter Campbell gave him some assurances. He said that Campbell guaranteed him the next title shot against the winner of Sean O’Malley vs. Merab Dvalishvili.
I mean, yeah, Hunter [Campbell] was telling me, he was like, ‘look, I don’t know how it’s not you after this fight. After Merab [Dvalishvili] and [Sean] O’Malley fight. So yeah, so when I talked to Hunter, that was relayed to me that he doesn’t see a way that it’s not me after this one so yeah, that’s what I’m being told.
Cory Sandhagen via The MMA Hour
The bantamweight division will have champion Sean O’Malley fighting Merab Dvalishvili in a title fight next. There is no clear-cut contender after Dvalishvili. As such, Sandhagen can take the spot with a win over Nurmagomedov, who remains feared by everyone in the division. The five-round battle in August will ultimately decide the next #1 contender in the division.
