Tom Loeffler’s 360 Promotions returns Friday night on UFC Fight Pass, and that card features 22-year-old undefeated junior welterweight prospect “Sugar” Cain Sandoval (14-0, 12 KOs) who has a clear message for fight fans: “This year will be my breakout year.”
Navigating Through Life While Trying To Become A Fighter
Sandoval, fighting out of Sacramento, CA, has only been a pro for about 3 ½ years. In that time, he has learned valuable lessons both in and out of the ring, forcing him to mature faster than he may have anticipated. “I’ve gained a lot of experience both in and out of the ring, and they have helped me fight,” said Sandoval. “I’ve been through so many things in and out of the ring. It’s been a journey, and I can’t wait to keep going through it.”
Turning pro at 19 without the luxury of signing a major promotional deal came with its challenges, especially in these economically difficult times. Like any other young adult, Sandoval had bills to pay and being a fighter often took second place to having a job that keeps you afloat. Despite his strong desire to be a fighter, Sandoval faced the challenge of deciding whether a career in boxing would even be possible, given the mental and physical attention it requires.
“The anxiety of thinking, ‘Am I going to make it? Should I stop training?’ or when I first started and I had a job, a 9-5, it was, ‘Man, I’m tired; Do I even want to train today? Do I take the day off? But if I do take the day off, they (the job) won’t pay me…f*ck.’ That was back then, but now things are better.”
Cain Sandoval Finds A Promotional Home
Things have certainly improved for Sandoval. Thanks to Tom Loeffler’s 360 Promotions, he no longer has to worry about balancing a job and training, as he’s been kept quite busy since signing in March 2023. He fought four times that year (one was before the 360 Promotions signing), three times last year, and now he begins 2025 with a fight on Friday. Describing his experience with Loeffler so far, Sandoval said it’s “been great” as he’s developed a good relationship with his promoter, who has helped him both in and out of the ring.
“He’s been getting me the right fights and, outside of the ring, giving me some life advice,” Sandoval told FightsATW. “I really appreciate how humble he is. He is low-key and quiet but gets the job done.” Getting the job done also means ensuring his career moves at the pace of his performances. For Sandoval, that hasn’t been an issue, as he will be entering his fourth ten-round fight—a rarity for a fighter with only 14 bouts. Sandoval has impressed not only his promoters and fans but also world champions who have brought him in to help them prepare for fights.
Getting That Good Work
One of those fighters is former two-division world champion Devin Haney. Sandoval is often called upon for sparring not only because of what he brings to the ring but also because he sticks to the purpose of the training and doesn’t try to show anyone up. As Sandoval told FightsATW, fighters nowadays have “more sparring highlights than fight highlights.”
Sandoval briefly discussed the experience of sparring with a fighter like Haney, which can only help him become a more well-rounded fighter in the future. “I sparred him in 2022, and it was good work, but I could’ve done better,” said Sandoval. “This time, I was right there with him so it showed the level that I’m on. He did his thing, and I did my thing. It was good work.”
The “Sugar” Cain Show
Friday night, live on the UFC Fight Pass, Sandoval has another opportunity to grow his fanbase with a standout performance. His opponent, Mark Bernaldez (25-6, 18 KOs), a seasoned veteran with 31 fights, will leverage his experience to challenge the young Sandoval. Nevertheless, Sandoval is confident in his skills and believes he will be the fighter everyone talks about at the end of the night.
“Expect a great show: The “Sugar” Cain Show. In every fight, I put on a great performance, whether it’s a knockout or a decision. My fights are either fight of the night or KO of the night, so make sure to tune into UFC Fight Pass or come to the Chumash Casino to watch it live.”
2025 Vision
As far as the rest of the year goes, if Sandoval is successful on Friday, he plans to stay more focused and dedicated than he has been in years past while making better life choices. “Hopefully, I can save more money because last year I blew it,” said Sandoval. “I need to be in training camp more. Last year, I took a month off after my last fight since it was three months away. I want to bring back the amateur Cain, as I used to train all year and not take any days off. I want to do more of that.”
Something tells me that with the addition of Freddie Roach and moving his training camp to North Hollywood, Sandoval will look to take it up another level and truly put himself on the radar of fans who may not know who he is. But it all starts with Friday’s fight, where Sandoval is looking to have an eyebrow-raising performance.
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