Cory Sandhagen returned to his best at UFC Des Moines when he put on an absolute striking clinic on former 2-time flyweight champion Deiveson Figueiredo. The Brazilian was thoroughly dominated from the get-go, and it took just over nine minutes for ‘The Sandman’ to finish ‘Deus Da Guerra’ with some nasty ground-and-pound strikes. What happened next was interesting as Sandhagen called for a fight against the winner of the Merab Dvalishvili vs Sean O’Malley UFC 316 headliner.

“Sean O’Malley, Merab, I want the winner,” Cory Sandhagen declared during the post-fight interview. After failing to overcome Umar Niurmagomedov in his last fight, a lot was riding on the fight against Deiveson Figueiredo for ‘The Sandman’, who claims that he’s leveled up as a fighter. “Nothing fires you up like a loss… I’m gonna be champ one day… Man, my style is so good right now,” he added.

It didn’t take time for Merab Dvalishvili to issue a response, who was “watching” the UFC Des Moines main event, but he did not address the call-out, and rather, gave Sandhagen his props for the win. “Congratulations,” Merab tweeted. “Good job, Cory. Let’s go. Congratulations, my friend. Great job,” ‘The Machine’ added in a video he posted on X.

Well, Corey Sandhagen has yet to fight Merab Dvalishvili in the UFC, but he could have gotten that opportunity at UFC 311 if he had defeated Umar Nurmagomedov when they fought last year. Now, with four wins in his last five outings, it seems like he could get that fight, and if not Dvalishvili, Sandhagen could get a title shot next.

After calling for a title shot during his post-fight interview, Cory Sandhagen weighed in on the topic during the post-fight press conference. But he isn’t necessarily sure that he’s going to get what he wants in his next fight. Let’s take a look at that front.

Cory Sandhagen sounds uncertain but claims he ‘deserves’ to fight for the belt

After his emphatic win over the former 2-time UFC flyweight champion, Cory Sandhagen addressed the media about his plans for his next fight and if he’s talked to the UFC brass about getting a title shot. While he hasn’t had a word with them yet, he seemed open to taking a high-profile fight next if Dana White doesn’t give him a title shot. “I haven’t talked to him [Dana White]. Me and my agency are going to talk to him, see what’s kind of next,” Sandhagen stated in the post-fight presser.

Nevertheless, ‘The Sandman’ made his case for a title shot, arguing that he’s in the best position to be the next one in line. “I think I deserve the title shot next, regardless, you know. I mean, who else is there? Umar just fought for the belt, lost. Yan is coming off a win, but also lost to both of the guys [Dvalishvili and O’Malley] that are fighting [at UFC 316],” Cory Sandhagen added.

Well, it remains to be seen who comes out on top at UFC 316 and if Dana White listens to what Cory Sandhagen has asked for. Let us know your thoughts in the comments down below.