Cory Sandhagen (photo via YouTube)

By FCF Staff

Henry Cejudo is currently booked to fight Jose Aldo on May 9th in Sao Paulo, Brazil. But, if the UFC moves the event to the United States, and needs a replacement for Aldo, Cory Sandhagen will be ready.

As this is being written, the location and date for UFC 250 has not been changed. But, due to the coronavirus pandemic, and the various restrictions on travel and public gatherings, there’s been speculation the UFC could hold the May 9th card in the U.S.

Recently Sandhagen spoke with MMA Fighting, and while discussing the possibility that Aldo may not be able to face Cejudo as planned, the bantamweight said this.

“I’m ready for that May 9 fight in case Jose can’t make it back into the states,” Sandhagen said. “I’ll be ready if they call me on a week’s notice I’m gonna be ready for that fight. It’ll kind of suck not to have any training partners other than my girlfriend, but when they call me I don’t want to be in a position where I’m like, naw I can’t because I was lazy. That’s not happening, that’s not gonna happen for me.”

“…This has been the situation for a lot of the great guys and that’s why I think skill speaks louder than any words and any action,” said Sandhagen, while talking about the importance of being ready for unexpected opportunties. “As long as I’ve got the skills when I need the skills and as long as the opportunities keep coming up and I put myself in the position to take advantage of all of those opportunities, I know that good will come for me.”

Sandhagen (12-1) is coming off a decision win over longtime contender, Raphael Assuncano in August. The 27 year-old has gone 5-0 to date in the UFC.