The Herd with Colin Cowherd The Daniel Cormier Show - Cory Sandhagen on Sean O'Malley callout, Aljo & Merab losses, pursuit of UFC title
Mar 25, 2026
Cory Sandhagen, elite UFC bantamweight known for slick striking and sharp fight IQ, reflects on growing up in Colorado and swapping basketball for MMA. He revisits tough losses to Aljamain Sterling and Merab Dvalishvili, his obsessive training mindset, mental tools like visualization, and why he called out Sean O'Malley. He also talks legacy, risk-taking, and life outside the cage.
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Colorado Upbringing Led To Late Basketball Turn Into MMA
- Cory Sandhagen grew up in suburban Aurora, Colorado playing basketball before finding MMA at 17 after watching Dominic Cruz and Uriah Faber on TV.
- He transitioned from aspiring guard to fighter quickly, joining Nate Marquardt's gym near his house and discovering a natural talent and obsession for MMA.
Obsession With Progress Prevents Burnout
- Sandhagen says he doesn't burn out because he's obsessively focused on incremental progress and always finds something new to improve over 16 years in the sport.
- He attributes longevity to intrinsic obsession with skill-building rather than external pressure or timelines.
Working In A Trauma Center Shaped His Self Awareness
- Before fighting full time Sandhagen worked at Mount St. Vincent's trauma center with kids, which taught him self-awareness and how to handle others' trauma.
- That work influenced his desire for social work and gave perspective on risks in MMA.