Cory Sandhagen Removed from UFC Fight Night 166 Card in Raleigh

Cory Sandhagen will have to wait to resume his climb up the bantamweight ladder.

Sandhagen, who was originally scheduled to face Frankie Edgar at UFC Fight Night 166 on Jan. 25, will not remain on the card against a replacement opponent following Edgar’s first-round TKO loss to Chan Sung Jung this past Saturday. MMA DNA was first to report Sandhagen’s exit from the card.

Edgar had originally left the door open to make a quick turnaround against Sandhagen, but that changed following his loss to “The Korean Zombie” at UFC Busan. Edgar is facing a potential six-month medical suspension after that bout and will be sidelined for 60 days at a minimum.

Sandhagen is currently on a seven-bout winning streak that includes four triumphs under the UFC banner. The 27-year-old Elevation Fight Team representative earned the biggest win of his pro tenure to date at UFC 241, as he outpointed Raphael Assuncao on Aug. 17.

UFC Raleigh takes place at PNC Arena in Raleigh, N.C., and is headlined by a heavyweight clash between Curtis Blaydes and Junior dos Santos. Sandhagen vs. Edgar had been slated for the co-main event. The card is expected to air on ESPN+.