Cory Sandhagen finds it 'weird' that people are counting him out vs. Umar Nurmagomedov at UFC on ABC 7

ABU DHABI – Cory Sandhagen is motivated to prove his doubters wrong at UFC on ABC 7.

According to Bet MGM, Sandhagen (17-4 MMA, 10-3 UFC) is a +240 underdog against Umar Nurmagomedov (17-0 MMA, 5-0 UFC) in Saturday’s headliner (ABC, ESPN2, ESPN+) at Etihad Arena.

Considering Nurmagomedov is far less experienced, former interim title challenger Sandhagen can’t understand why he has so many naysayers.

“Umar is a unique fighter,” Sandhagen told reporters, including MMA Junkie, at UFC on ABC 7 media day. “Stylistically, he’s a really tough fight. I had to work in a lot of overtime hours in order to make sure I was prepared for this fight. But the rankings, him coming up, the odds, the bettors, I couldn’t honestly give a sh*t less.

“I’m focused on what I’m going to do Saturday, and that’s executing underneath the lights, and I can’t wait for that peace because it’s weird that people are counting me out for this one, but I just can’t wait to prove all those people wrong.”

Outside of his quick submission loss to Aljamain Sterling in June 2020, Sandhagen said his takedown defense hasn’t been properly tested.

“No one’s seen me defensively wrestle ever almost except the situation with Sterling,” Sandhagen said. “That’s what we’ll call that loss, a situation. The situation with Sterling where – and that was what, four years ago? I was two years into my career. I’m six, seven years into my career now and still no one’s really seen it.

“So, just another element that I get to show to people, and man, I’m excited for this one just to show how great I am because Umar is going to bring out the best in me, and he already has in this camp, and I’m pumped for it. I can’t wait to watch myself fight.”

For more on the card, visit MMA Junkie’s event hub for UFC on ABC 7.