Cory Sandhagen explains why he wants to fight Umar Nurmagomedov for five rounds

Cory Sandhagen wants to fight Umar Nurmagomedov over five rounds.

Sandhagen and Nurmagomedov were scheduled to headline UFC Nashville last August, but an injury to the Dagestani native forced him out of the matchup. Since then, Sandhagen went on to defeat Rob Font. Meanwhile, Nurmagomedov picked up a win earlier this month, and after that victory, he once again called for a fight with the American.

With Merab Dvalishvili likely getting the next title shot, Cory Sandhagen says he’s open to facing Umar Nurmagomedov next but does want it to be for five rounds as he thinks Nurmagomedov would struggle to keep up with his pace for 25 minutes.

“That is what I asked for, I feel like I’m a five-round fighter, I do better in five-round fights,” Sandhagen said to Fanatics View. “Three-round fights, the idea of that, and the pace that I feel like I could push in a three-rounder after doing a five rounds for the last two, three years of my life would be really maybe enjoyable. I think it would be cool to push the pace that high… He was definitely breathing hard, he definitely showed a vulnerability and that is not something you want to do. But, I also think he fought at a pretty high pace.”

Currently, Cory Sandhagen is striving for the fight against Umar Nurmagomedov to be on International Fight Week and wants it to be for five rounds. But, if he has to be a main event on another Fight Night card he is fine with that, but says he won’t be going to Saudi Arabia or Abu Dhabi to face Nurmagomedov.

“I don’t know that I should have to go to the other side of the world in order to fight, I’m giving him a shot, that is what it feels like. I am the guy giving him the platform to show he deserves to fight for the belt next, I don’t really love the idea going across halfway across the world so he has an advantage,” Sandhagen said.

Although Sandhagen and Nurmagomedov both have expressed interest in a potential matchup, the UFC has yet to make it official. But, if they do, Sandhagen wants to fight Nurmagomedov over five rounds.