“This is the fight I said should be done, and they did it,” Big John said on his latest podcast episode. “This is an outstanding fight. Cory Sandhagen, number four in the division, acted like a real man and took the fight with the guy, who occupies the eleventh line in the ranking. Nobody would have done it in his place. Corey won two fights after losing to Petr Yan for the interim title. He defeated Song Yadong and Marlon Vera, two tough guys, and many believe that he did not lose to TJ Dillashaw, whom he lost by split decision.
“Umar Nurmagomedov is talented, as is Corey – they do things differently, they have different strengths, but in terms of matchmaking, this is a great fight in many ways. They are both wonderful and skilled drummers, although with different styles. In the fight, Umar has the advantage – in this aspect he is more skilled and experienced, but Sandhagen has proved that he is not easy to transfer, and I believe that he is the most difficult opponent for Nurmagomedov in the division. Like I said, it’s a great match and I love it.”
Recall that the fight between the American and the Russian will be the main event of the UFC Fight Night 225 tournament, which will be held on August 5 in Nashville.