Morning Recap: Aljamain Sterling Not Concerned About Rematch with Cory Sandhagen, Anticipates Longer Duration
Aljamain Sterling showed indifference towards Cory Sandhagen’s performance at UFC Nashville over the weekend.
Cory Sandhagen, typically known for his striking prowess, took an unexpected wrestling-heavy approach in the main event on Saturday night. Despite being slated against fellow striker Rob Font, Sandhagen utilized a consistent takedown strategy, successfully executing seven takedowns out of seven attempts throughout their five-round bout, ultimately securing a unanimous decision victory.
While not the most exciting display, Sandhagen’s approach was effective in getting the win. Both Font and Sandhagen were criticized by the champion Sterling for their efforts, as the fight played out differently from expectations.
Sterling expressed his views on the main event, stating, “I have to call it as it is. That was unexpected. I thought there would be a complete reversal of events. I believed Rob Font would aggressively assert himself. However, I understand he was pressuring forward.”
Sterling offered a respectful and balanced analysis, highlighting Font’s grappling vulnerabilities. He was disappointed by Font’s inability to escape from grappling positions, noting his limited success in standing back up after being taken down.
Sterling acknowledged that the fight was arranged on short notice due to an injury to Umar Nurmagomedov, leading to Sandhagen stepping in. Following the loss, Font’s recent record stands at 1-3 in his last four fights.
Despite Sandhagen securing his third consecutive victory following consecutive losses to Petr Yan and T.J. Dillashaw, Sterling remains unconvinced that this is enough to earn Sandhagen a title shot. If a rematch does occur, Sterling expects a similar outcome to their first encounter at UFC 250 in June 2020, where Sterling won by a first-round rear-naked choke.
Font and Sandhagen both expressed their desire for the title shot, yet Sterling emphasized that neither fighter secured a definitive victory to warrant the opportunity. Sterling drew a comparison to his own history, highlighting that when he faced Sandhagen, their bout clearly established him as the top contender, finishing Sandhagen within two minutes.
While Sterling anticipates a longer bout in a rematch, he hasn’t observed significant improvement in Sandhagen’s top position grappling skills. Sterling acknowledges Sandhagen’s potential injury but notes missed opportunities for Sandhagen to capitalize on dominant positions and finish the fight more decisively.
Given that Sterling and his teammate Merab Dvalishvili are often criticized for their wrestling-focused strategies, Sterling hopes that Sandhagen’s performance will help dispel the notion that wrestling-based fights are boring. Sterling’s upcoming title defense against Sean O’Malley at UFC 292 will showcase his wrestling skills, aiming to offer an exciting fight with takedown threats.
In closing, Sterling pointed out that while Sandhagen’s approach is valid, it leaves room for doubt in the quest for the title shot. He emphasized that his teammate Merab Dvalishvili is already a strong contender, casting uncertainty on Sandhagen’s path to the title.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs) about critique
What is the main subject of this text?
The main subject of this text is Aljamain Sterling’s critique of Cory Sandhagen’s wrestling-heavy approach and his doubts about Sandhagen’s readiness for a title shot after Sandhagen’s UFC Nashville win.
How did Cory Sandhagen approach his recent fight?
Cory Sandhagen adopted a wrestle-heavy strategy in his recent fight at UFC Nashville, which was unexpected given his reputation as a striker.
What was Aljamain Sterling’s reaction to Sandhagen’s performance?
Aljamain Sterling was critical of Cory Sandhagen’s performance, expressing surprise at the wrestling-heavy approach and questioning Sandhagen’s preparedness for a title shot.
What was the outcome of Sandhagen’s fight?
Cory Sandhagen executed a successful wrestle-heavy strategy, securing seven out of seven takedowns and winning by unanimous decision against Rob Font.
Why did Sterling criticize both fighters?
Aljamain Sterling criticized both Cory Sandhagen and Rob Font for not delivering a definitive win that would solidify their positions as title contenders.
How does Sterling compare his past fight with Sandhagen to a potential rematch?
Aljamain Sterling anticipates a similar outcome in a rematch with Sandhagen, suggesting that while the rematch might last longer, he hasn’t seen significant growth in Sandhagen’s grappling skills.
What does Sterling hope to change with his upcoming title defense?
Sterling hopes that his upcoming title defense against Sean O’Malley will showcase the excitement of wrestling-based fights and dispel the notion that they are boring.
How does Sterling view the competition for the title shot?
Sterling points out that his teammate Merab Dvalishvili is a strong contender, raising doubts about Sandhagen’s path to the title shot.
What are the tags associated with this text?
MMA analysis, Aljamain Sterling, Cory Sandhagen, UFC Nashville, title shot debate, grappling strategy, fight critique
More about critique
- Aljamain Sterling’s YouTube channel
- UFC Nashville event details
- Cory Sandhagen’s UFC profile
- Rob Font’s UFC profile
- Umar Nurmagomedov’s UFC profile
- Petr Yan’s UFC profile
- T.J. Dillashaw’s UFC profile
- Sean O’Malley’s UFC profile
- Merab Dvalishvili’s UFC profile
