In a less-than-exciting display, UFC bantamweight Cory Sandhagen managed to make Rob Font’s life miserable during their recent main-event matchup. Sandhagen’s remarkable performance left Font no room to breathe, as he controlled the fight for a full 25 minutes. Despite the lack of excitement for the fans in attendance, Sandhagen scored a clear victory over Font at UFC Fight Night in Nashville’s Bridgestone Arena. The judges unanimously awarded Sandhagen a 50-45 verdict, securing his third consecutive win.
Throughout the fight, Sandhagen’s grappling control dominated the action, resulting in a chorus of boos from the crowd. Recognizing the lack of excitement in his performance, Sandhagen apologized afterwards, explaining that he had been battling injuries. He revealed that he had been dealing with elbow problems and potentially tore his triceps in the first round. While he acknowledged the technicality of his strategy, Sandhagen attributed his wrestling-heavy performance to his injuries.
Rob Font’s corner tried to rally him during the fight, particularly after the third round. However, Font lacked the wrestling skills necessary to match Sandhagen’s prowess. Furthermore, Font had taken the fight on short notice, resulting in a catchweight bout at 140 pounds. Ultimately, Font struggled to find his rhythm and was unable to mount a significant challenge against Sandhagen’s dominance.
Absolute Control and Impressive Stats
Sandhagen’s control throughout the fight was evident in the statistics. He successfully executed a takedown in each of the five rounds, spending a total of over 19 minutes in control position. In contrast, Sandhagen absorbed just 33 strikes from Font while landing an impressive 112 of his own. His dominance was further underscored by his 100% takedown conversion rate, successfully completing all seven attempts.
Fighting out of Aurora, Colorado, Sandhagen has faced formidable opponents in the UFC. His only losses have come against current or former champions, including Aljamain Sterling, TJ Dillashaw, and Petr Yan. Originally slated to face Umar Nurmagomedov, cousin of retired lightweight champion Khabib Nurmagomedov, Sandhagen displayed resilience when the matchup fell through due to Nurmagomedov’s injury.
Sandhagen has his sights set on the bantamweight title, currently held by Aljamain Sterling. With Sterling scheduled to defend his title against Sean O’Malley in the main event of UFC 292 on August 18 in Boston, Sandhagen wasted no time in calling out the winner. He confidently declared, “Sterling, O’Malley, I’ll see you in Boston. I got next.” Sandhagen’s dominant victory over Font puts him in a strong position to vie for a title shot in the near future.
In the co-main event, Tatiana Suarez made a triumphant return to strawweight by defeating former champion Jessica Andrade. Suarez, who had been plagued by injuries in recent years, demonstrated her exceptional skills with a second-round submission victory. Utilizing her Olympic wrestling background and a front headlock, Suarez secured a guillotine choke to end the fight at 1:31 of the second round. This impressive win puts Suarez in contention for a title opportunity in the strawweight division, where she previously had notable victories, including one over current flyweight champion Alexa Grasso.
Cory Sandhagen’s dominant performance against Rob Font showcased his grappling control and superior skillset. Despite the lack of excitement for the fans, Sandhagen’s victory solidified his position as a top contender in the bantamweight division. With his sights set on the title, Sandhagen eagerly awaits the outcome of the upcoming title fight between Aljamain Sterling and Sean O’Malley. Additionally, Tatiana Suarez’s remarkable return to strawweight leaves her on the cusp of title contention. These two fighters have certainly made their mark in the UFC and will undoubtedly continue to captivate fans with their exceptional performances.
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