Cory Sandhagen
Likely next in line for a title shot, following Petr Yan-Aljamain Sterling at UFC 256 in December, Cory Sandhagen doesn’t necessarily need to fight anytime soon. Although it’s a long shot, Sandhagen himself mentioned Dillashaw’s name following his victory over Marlon Moraes in October.
It was a smart move, as having a backup plan in professional MMA is never a bad idea. There’s no telling how the division will look once the winner of Yan-Aljo is ready to defend their belt again sometime in 2021. Being patient sometimes works, but staying active and continuing to win will improve Sandhagen’s chances of cementing his spot as the number one contender.
A victory over arguably the greatest bantamweight in UFC history wouldn’t hurt, either. It’s a risky proposition, but Sandhagen has shown his willingness to take on tough opponents throughout his career, regardless of the circumstances.
From Dillashaw’s side it’d be an easy choice. A win would likely rocket him back to the top of the rankings, while a loss to the top contender would hurt less than a loss to the likes of Dominick Cruz or Jose Aldo. It’d be an incredibly interesting match-up, and one that, even if we don’t see it in Dillashaw’s return fight, we may end up seeing down the road.
