What’s next for bantamweight contender Cory Sandhagen?

Cory Sandhagen. Photo via Instagram (@corysandhagenmma)

Cory Sandhagen won an impressive fight against the dangerous Song Yadong in Saturday’s main event in Las Vegas. With the win, the top ranked American further cemented his status as a title contender in the stacked bantamweight division.

Let’s take a closer look at possible future matchups for Sandhagen!

Marlon ”Chito” Vera

Marlon Vera headkicks Dominick Cruz. Photo: Viaplay

No. 5 ranked Marlon Vera could very well be next in line for Sandhagen, as both fighters seem to be one win away from a title shot. Vera has put together a string of impressive wins lately, against top fighters like Frankie Edgar, Rob Font and Dominick Cruz.

“If he wants it, he can get it,” Vera recently said about fighting Sandhagen next. “I’m not shying away from any fight. I’m a fighter, I’ll fight anybody, I want to be a world champion. If I want to get there and get the belt, I don’t run away from no one.”

Stylewise it’s a good fight as well, with both Sandhagen and Vera being skilled strikers and tall for the weight class.

Merab Dvalishvili

Merab Dvalishvili. Photo: Chris Unger / Zuffa LLC via USA TODAY Sports

No 3. ranked Merab Dvalishvili defeated Jose Aldo at UFC 278 on August 20. The well-rounded Georgian rides an impressive eight-fight winning streak against fighters like Marlon Moraes, Cody Stamann and Casey Kenney.

Besides ”Chito” Vera, Dvalishvili is the only fighter that Sandhagen never competed against inside the top five of the stacked division.

”My answer is yes of course. ”Let’s go.” Dvalishvili tweeted when he got called out by Sandhagen on Saturday.

Winner of Petr Yan vs. Sean O’Malley

Sean O’Malley and Petr Yan. Photo: USA Today

Another possible matchup is the winner in the fight between Petr Yan and Sean O’Malley that takes place on UFC 280 in Abu Dhabi.

However, Yan and Sandhagen clashed in October last year with Yan coming out as the winner, so a rematch might be a bit too early to make.

Winner of Aljamain Sterling vs. T.J. Dillashaw

Aljamain Sterling and T.J. Dillashaw will fight at UFC 280. Photo: USA Today Sports

It’s not very likely that Sandhagen gets a shot at the title next, since he lost to both champion Aljamain Sterling and T.J. Dillashaw over the last two years.

Cory Sandhagen

Cory Sandhagen. Photo: Steven Branscombe – USA TODAY Sports

• Age: 30
• Record: 15-4
• Weight: 135 lb (61 kg)
• Height: 5 ft 11 in (1.80 m)
• Performance of the Night bonuses: 2
• Fight of the Nigth bonuses: 2

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