‘The Sandman’ is looking to try something different in order to finally get another shot at UFC gold.
Cory Sandhagen has been one of the top bantamweights in the UFC’s 135-pound division for several years having debuted back in 2018.
A loss to Umar Nurmagomedov last August derailed Sandhagen’s title push but he’s looking to get back on track on May 3 where he faces former flyweight champion Deiveson Figueiredo.
The next title fight in his division was met with criticism after some fans questioned why Sean O’Malley was getting a rematch with Merab Dvalishvili having not fought since he lost the title at UFC 306.
With the #4-ranking next to his name, the 32-year-old is now taking extra steps to try and elevate his stock so that he can work his way into the title picture once again.
Cory Sandhagen receives fashion advice from his ‘brand manager’ in new skit
Along with the injury narratives that surrounded his first fight with Merab Dvalishvili, Sean O’Malley is such a big star for the UFC that him receiving a rematch for the title isn’t that surprising.
Cory Sandhagen has been a highly respected contender for several years but he’s not the kind of larger than life personality that is going to start making lots of noise to try and get ahead of the other names in the division.
‘The Sandman’ usually lets his actions inside the Octagon do all the talking for him, for better or worse, but that stance could be changing.
Ahead of his main event clash with Deiveson Figueiredo in Iowa, Sandhagen has been documenting his preparations via his “Stupid Fight Vlogs” series on his YouTube channel.
The latest instalment saw the American looking to bring a new member into his team who can help him raise his profile so that it isn’t just his fighting ability that he’s known for.
In a brilliant skit, Sandhagen took on some advice from his newly hired “brand manager”.
“I took what you said about me last week where we’re trying to get away from me being awkward, weird and r——- so I stopped making as many Instagram posts and stuff like that like you told me to do but I don’t know, it kind of just feels really inauthentic.
“I don’t know why I have to have a brand. Look, I don’t understand the brand thing but I’m gonna trust you. Just tell me what to do so that I can just get title fights, that’s really all that I give a s— about.”
After putting full faith in his brand manager, Sandhagen comes on screen sporting a new look that has been designed for him which sees him wearing low trousers, a white vest, chains and sunglasses.
“Dude, I don’t know about this. I feel like I look really stupid. This is what we’re going for bro? I feel like Sean O’Malley in the 9th grade.”
Comedy skits will unironically help Cory Sandhagen
Whilst Cory Sandhagen hiring a brand manager is obviously him making a self-deprecating joke, videos like this allow fans to see more of his personality and sense of homor.
Everyone already knows that he’s one of the best fighters in the world at 135-pounds but for whatever reason, things haven’t fallen into place for him to win UFC gold and those opportunities don’t come around often.
With Merab Dvalishvili fighting Sean O’Malley next with the likes of Petr Yan also being in the mix, Sandhagen could end up waiting even if he does beat Deiveson Figueiredo on May 3.
The one thing that is in his favor is that he’s one of the few top names who hasn’t faced Dvalishvili so he could be a fresh matchup for ‘The Machine’ if the Georgian keeps hold of the title.
Winning more fans over and getting people invested in his career will only help his case.
