Merab vs Sandhagen

[Thesnake101]

Merab doesn't control the ground well and is short, it will take him 25 minutes to escape Cory's lethal knees, and he has also improved a lot in wrestling, Umar had to win standing up.

At least it's an unprecedented fight in a swept division.

Putting aside the fact that Cory hasn't fought since his loss to Umar, his knees have only put down a washed up Edgar who would go on to also get iced by decision machine Gutierrez after that.

Let Cory earn the fight instead of just giving it to him because Merab keeps winning. Make Cory vs Figueiredo or something, but don't give a title shot to someone coming off a loss.

 

[The_Renaissance]

Sandhagen has nothing for him, and I like Cory.

 

[AMAZINGUFC]

Sean O'Malley will probably get the rematch, but I would love to see that fight.

Especially since Merab has already cleared out the division.

It would be a fresh matchup for him, and Sandhagen, on top of everything, has great cardio.

It sucks when someone starts winning a lot because some people tend to think they are invincible and that, mathematically, if fighter A lost to B, they will logically lose to C as well.

However, Sandhagen has his unique traits and deserved to have this chance and be tested against Merab.

\o/ \o/ \o/ \o/

 

[Tweak896]

Sandhagen's cardio isn't great either. His grappling and defense has improved from where it was, but it's a different animal to defend against a FLW than Merab who is relentless. Cory has the ability to finish anywhere, and could pull something out of his hat, but I'm not sure his style is made to beat Merab consistently. But a fresh matchup vs all the Merab rematches, I'd rather see Sandhagen in there.

 

[d'Coda]

Sean O'Malley will probably get the rematch, but I would love to see that fight.

Especially since Merab has already cleared out the division.

It would be a fresh matchup for him, and Sandhagen, on top of everything, has great cardio.

It sucks when someone starts winning a lot because some people tend to think they are invincible and that, mathematically, if fighter A lost to B, they will logically lose to C as well.

However, Sandhagen has his unique traits and deserved to have this chance and be tested against Merab.

Sandhagen has zero for Merab. Would be a one sided beat down...

 

[AMAZINGUFC]

Sean O'Malley will probably get the rematch, but I would love to see that fight.

Especially since Merab has already cleared out the division.

It would be a fresh matchup for him, and Sandhagen, on top of everything, has great cardio.

It sucks when someone starts winning a lot because some people tend to think they are invincible and that, mathematically, if fighter A lost to B, they will logically lose to C as well.

However, Sandhagen has his unique traits and deserved to have this chance and be tested against Merab.

Hallelujah my prayers have been answered.

 

[AMAZINGUFC]

Sandhagen has zero for Merab. Would be a one sided beat down...

 

[mkess101]

Sandhagen's cardio isn't great either. His grappling and defense has improved from where it was, but it's a different animal to defend against a FLW than Merab who is relentless. Cory has the ability to finish anywhere, and could pull something out of his hat, but I'm not sure his style is made to beat Merab consistently. But a fresh matchup vs all the Merab rematches, I'd rather see Sandhagen in there.

What would possibly ever make you say that Sandhagen doesn’t have great cardio??? Dude has never shown a hint of even slowing down, even in 5 rounders. Nonstop scrambling for 5 rounds with Umar and Corey never tired.

 

[mkess101]

Sandhagen has zero for Merab. Would be a one sided beat down...

Foolish take. He will be more competitive than O'Malley for sure.

 

[ElLunico]

Sandhagen has nothing for Merab. His only shot at winning is landing a hail Mary flying knee that KO's Merab

 

[mkess101]

Sandhagen has nothing for Merab. His only shot at winning is landing a hail Mary flying knee that KO's Merab

I seriously don't get this line of thinking. Sandhagen has shown great cardio, has WAY better grappling than someone like O'Malley, and obviously diversified striking from all angles.

Not saying I favor him to win necessarily but those that he's not AT LEAST more live than O'Malley...c'mon.

 

[ElLunico]

I seriously don't get this line of thinking. Sandhagen has shown great cardio, has WAY better grappling than someone like O'Malley, and obviously diversified striking from all angles.

Not saying I favor him to win necessarily but those that he's not AT LEAST more live than O'Malley...c'mon.

O'malley had atleast the threat of a KO. Sandhagen doesn't. Merab is a whole other beast than Umar in terms of TD and pressure. I dont see how he can be more of a threat than O'malley when he doesnt have the finishing ability that O'malley has. He has to outwork Merab for 25 mins to win?? Yeah thats not happening lol

 

[Tweak896]

What would possibly ever make you say that Sandhagen doesn’t have great cardio??? Dude has never shown a hint of even slowing down, even in 5 rounders. Nonstop scrambling for 5 rounds with Umar and Corey never tired.

TJ fight. As soon as he started getting grinded on by a wrestler he wilted. Umar fight shocked me though you're right, but you asked why I doubt it.

Also Umar to me isn't a great wrestler, he's more of a striker with good wrestling, but guess that doesn't make a difference. Also keep in mind he stood for most of the 5 rounds without control.

 

[snugglecakes]

mma math is usually not wrong. How many people that beat Sandhagen has merab beaten? THis match up would be a waste of time.

Omalley has also beaten people that beat Cory so to suggest cory should have gotten the shot over omalley is also MMA math fail.

 

[mister piscadinha]

I seriously don't get this line of thinking. Sandhagen has shown great cardio, has WAY better grappling than someone like O'Malley, and obviously diversified striking from all angles.

Not saying I favor him to win necessarily but those that he's not AT LEAST more live than O'Malley...c'mon.

O'malley is a better striker than Sandhagen, with way more ko power
we saw how merab striking is improving

 

[AMAZINGUFC]

mma math is usually not wrong. How many people that beat Sandhagen has merab beaten? THis match up would be a waste of time.

Different movement, different strikes, different angles could provide opportunities we haven't seen yet.

Waste of time or not, this is the fight that needs to happen now.

 

[mkess101]

O'malley had atleast the threat of a KO. Sandhagen doesn't. Merab is a whole other beast than Umar in terms of TD and pressure. I dont see how he can be more of a threat than O'malley when he doesnt have the finishing ability that O'malley has. He has to outwork Merab for 25 mins to win?? Yeah thats not happening lol

Well Sandhagen has two KO's via landing flush knees so against a wrestler I'd say the threat of a KO is still there .

 

[mkess101]

O'malley is a better striker than Sandhagen, with way more ko power
we saw how merab striking is improving

That's one aspect of fighting. Grappling and cardio, Sandhagen is much better than O'Malley.

 

[AMAZINGUFC]

Sean O'Malley will probably get the rematch, but I would love to see that fight.

Especially since Merab has already cleared out the division.

It would be a fresh matchup for him, and Sandhagen, on top of everything, has great cardio.

It sucks when someone starts winning a lot because some people tend to think they are invincible and that, mathematically, if fighter A lost to B, they will logically lose to C as well.

However, Sandhagen has his unique traits and deserved to have this chance and be tested against Merab.

*Edit
Merab doesn't control the ground well and is short, it will take him 25 minutes to escape Cory's lethal knees, and he has also improved a lot in wrestling, Umar had to win standing up.

At least it's an unprecedented fight in a swept division.

*The stars aligned perfectly with O'Malley and Mix losing and Sandhagen winning.

Passing by here to thank the heavens for the good guess.

 

[Jawth]

I like Sandhagen (aside from the horrid foght vs. Font) but I don't think he has a very good chance here.

His best chance is a knee KO as Merab shoots, or rocking him with one and getting a sub off of it.

I just cannot see Cory keeping Merab off him nor can I see him winning the scrambles. I think Merab 50-45 is a fairly safe bet.