UFC bantamweight Cory Sandhagen is in talks for a number one contender’s fight with former two-division champion T.J. Dillashaw, ‘The Sandman’ revealed at the UFC 259 weigh-in show on Friday.
Sandhagen confirmed Dana White’s statement that the UFC is working on a top contender’s fight for Dillashaw rather than granting him an immediate title shot upon his return.
“Yes, if I am allowed to say it. The fight has been brought up to me and hopefully we will be fighting pretty soon,” Sandhagen said (h/t MMA Mania). “I hope this is the case. I definitely think I am the guy right now and I almost feel like T.J. should be really grateful to be fighting for a No. 1 contender spot after his suspension.
“I am glad that it’s me and I am really excited for that fight and looking forward to it,”
Sandhagen is on a two-fight KO streak against bantamweight standouts Marlon Moraes and Frankie Edgar while Dillashaw hasn’t fought since his devastating first-round stoppage loss to Henry Cejudo at UFC Fight Night 143. Not only did Dillashaw fall short of capturing the flyweight title but the Ludwig Marital Arts product also tested positive for EPO and was subsequently suspended for a minimum of two years by the United States Anti-Doping Agency (USADA).
Dillashaw’s suspension expired in January, however, so expect his comeback to be made official in the next few weeks.
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