Cory Sandhagen (photo via YouTube)

By FCF Staff

Due to Dominick Cruz’s previous run as bantamweight champ, the star’s name still gets mentioned when talking about the division’s title shot picture. But, recently Cory Sandhagen made it clear that he believes he’s ahead of the star, in the title shot race.

Recently it was reported that the UFC was looking at having Sandhagen fight Cruz at its May 16th card in San Diego. But, according to Sandhagen, Cruz ultimately decided to not compete at the event. More recently, it’s been reported that the promotion is hoping to secure a bout between Sandhagen and Aljamain Sterling.

While talking to MMA Fighting recently, Sandhagen had this to say about the possibility of facing Sterling, and Cruz’s place in the title shot mix.

“I was pumped about Aljamain,” Sandhagen said. “I think the Dominick Cruz fight was something I wanted to do for myself just because I wanted to feel what it was like standing across from someone I was watching 10 years ago that got me into the sport a little bit. I wanted to feel that for myself and if they were going to give me any opportunity to do that, I was going to take it.

“Do I think Dominick should be in the conversation for the next title shot? No I don’t think he should because I filled in for him, whatever it was a year and a half ago [against John Lineker], I was the one who filled in for him and I’ve been fighting since then. I’ve been putting in work since then and so has Aljamain. In my opinion, Aljamain and I are much more deserving of the contender talk than Cruz is.”

Due to injuries, Cruz (22-2) hasn’t fought since December, 2016, when he lost the bantamweight title to Cody Garbrandt.

Sandhagen (12-1), meanwhile, is coming off a decision win over Raphael Assuncao in August.