UFC bantamweight Cory Sandhagen showcased a dominant performance against Rob Font in their main-event matchup at UFC Fight Night. However, despite his victory, Sandhagen failed to win over the fans with his gameplan, which heavily relied on grappling control rather than flashy striking exchanges.
Throughout the 25-minute bout, Sandhagen executed his gameplan flawlessly, scoring takedowns in each round and spending over 19 minutes in control on the ground. According to UFC Stats, Sandhagen absorbed only 33 strikes from Font while landing 112 of his own. The judges’ unanimous decision favored Sandhagen with all three scoring the fight 50-45 in his favor.
Boos from the Crowd
Despite his dominant performance, Sandhagen faced the ire of the fans in attendance who booed him consistently throughout the fight. The lack of excitement and limited drama in the bout resulted in a fan-unfriendly experience.
Apologies and Injuries
Post-fight, Sandhagen acknowledged the disappointment of the fans and offered an apology. He revealed that he had been dealing with injuries, including elbow problems and a potential triceps tear, which might have influenced his grappling-heavy style. Sandhagen, who typically brings an exciting fight style, expressed regret for not delivering a performance up to his usual standards.
Font’s Struggle
Rob Font’s corner urged him to rally back during the fight, particularly after the third round. However, Font struggled to match Sandhagen’s wrestling ability and found himself unable to defend against the takedowns. Additionally, Font took the fight on short notice, resulting in a catchweight bout at 140 pounds.
Sandhagen’s UFC Journey
Cory Sandhagen’s victory against Font marks his third consecutive win in the UFC. Despite his overall success, Sandhagen’s three losses in the organization have all come against current or former champions, namely Aljamain Sterling, TJ Dillashaw, and Petr Yan. Originally scheduled to face Umar Nurmagomedov, cousin of retired lightweight champion Khabib Nurmagomedov, Sandhagen had to adjust his game plan after Nurmagomedov withdrew due to injury.
Aiming for the Title
Looking ahead, Sandhagen called out the winner of the upcoming title fight between Aljamain Sterling and Sean O’Malley. With his eyes set on the bantamweight championship, Sandhagen expressed his desire to face either Sterling or O’Malley in his next fight, stating, “Sterling, O’Malley, I’ll see you in Boston. I got next.”
Tatiana Suarez’s Impressive Return
In the co-main event of the evening, Tatiana Suarez made her return to strawweight after a long absence. Over the past four years, Suarez has faced various injuries that have hindered her progress in the division. However, she showcased her skills in a second-round submission victory over former champion Jessica Andrade. Suarez, a former Olympic wrestling hopeful whose career was derailed by a cancer diagnosis, secured the win with a guillotine choke at 1:31 of the second round.
With her win over Andrade, Suarez moves closer to title contention in the strawweight division. Prior to her hiatus, Suarez had achieved four wins in the weight class, including a notable victory over current flyweight champion Alexa Grasso. Now that she is back and victorious, Suarez aims to continue her climb up the ranks and establish herself as a title contender.
While Cory Sandhagen’s dominant performance against Rob Font may have lacked fan appeal, it showcased his grappling prowess and ability to control the fight. Sandhagen’s injuries and departure from his usual exciting style may have affected the overall entertainment value of the bout. Nonetheless, he remains a formidable force in the bantamweight division, with his eyes firmly set on a title shot. Additionally, Tatiana Suarez’s return to the strawweight division proved successful, and she now finds herself on the path to title contention. Both fighters have showcased their skills and determination in the octagon, leaving fans eager to see their future performances.
Leave a Reply