Cory Sandhagen

Summary

Cory Sandhagen (born April 20, 1992) is an American professional mixed martial artist. He currently competes in the Bantamweight division in the Ultimate Fighting Championship (UFC). A professional competitor since 2015, Sandhagen has also competed for Legacy Fighting Alliance. As of April 16, 2024, he is #2 in the UFC bantamweight rankings.[5]

Cory Sandhagen
Sandhagen in 2019
BornCory Sandhagen
(1992-04-20) April 20, 1992 (age 32)
Aurora, Colorado, U.S.
Other namesThe Sandman
Height5 ft 11 in (1.80 m)
Weight135 lb (61 kg; 9 st 9 lb)
DivisionBantamweight
Featherweight
Reach69+12 in (177 cm)[1]
Fighting out ofAurora, Colorado, U.S.
TeamHigh Altitude Martial Arts (2010–present)[2]
Elevation Fight Team (2017–present)[3]
RankBrown belt in Brazilian jiu-jitsu under Eliot Marshall[4]
Years active2015–present
Mixed martial arts record
Total21
Wins17
By knockout7
By submission3
By decision7
Losses4
By submission1
By decision3
UniversityUniversity of Colorado Boulder[2]
Mixed martial arts record from Sherdog

Background edit

Born and raised in Aurora, Colorado, Sandhagen attended Smoky Hill High School where he was on the basketball team – a sport he had been playing from his youth.[6] Sandhagen began martial arts training as a child, starting with taekwondo. His instructors didn't allow punches, so Sandhagen switched to boxing. In kickboxing, Sandhagen won multiple WKA titles including a WKA world title. He then transitioned to mixed martial arts. He had been a fan of the sport since his childhood.[7][8]

Sandhagen graduated from the University of Colorado Boulder with a degree in psychology.[2][6]

Mixed martial arts career edit

Early career edit

Sandhagen made his Legacy Fighting Alliance debut on February 24, 2017, at LFA 5 against Jamall Emmers, losing the bout via unanimous decision.[9] His next fight was on October 17, 2017, against Luiz Antonio Lobo Gavinho at LFA 24, which he won via first round TKO.[10] Sandhagen's final appearance for Legacy Fighting Alliance came on January 19, 2018, at LFA 31, defeating Jose Aguayo via first round TKO.[11]

Ultimate Fighting Championship edit

2018 edit

Sandhagen made his promotional debut at UFC on Fox: Jacaré vs. Brunson 2 on January 27, 2018, against Austin Arnett.[12] He won the fight via second-round TKO.[13]

His next bout was at UFC Fight Night: Gaethje vs. Vick on August 25, 2018 Iuri Alcantara.[14] After a back-and-forth affair, he won the fight via second-round TKO.[15] This fight earned him the Fight of the Night award.[16]

2019 edit

Sandhagen was scheduled to face Thomas Almeida at UFC Fight Night: Cejudo vs. Dillashaw.[17] However, it was later announced that Sandhagen would face John Lineker at the event instead.[18] On January 10, Lineker was forced to withdraw from the bout due to a rib injury.[19] He was replaced by promotional newcomer Mario Bautista.[20] He won the bout via first round submission.[21]

The bout with Lineker was rescheduled and eventually took place on April 27, 2019, at UFC Fight Night: Jacaré vs. Hermansson.[22] Sandhagen won the fight via split decision.[23]

Sandhagen faced Raphael Assunção on August 17, 2019, at UFC 241.[24] He won the bout by unanimous decision.[25]

2020 edit

Sandhagen was scheduled to face Frankie Edgar in a bantamweight bout on January 25, 2020, at UFC Fight Night 166.[26] However, Edgar was removed from the fight in favor of a bout against Chan Sung Jung a month earlier at UFC Fight Night 165.[27] In turn, Sandhagen was removed from the card.[28]

Sandhagen faced Aljamain Sterling on June 6, 2020, at UFC 250[29] in a bout that UFC president Dana White confirmed to be a bantamweight title eliminator.[30] He lost the bout via submission in the first round.[31]

Sandhagen faced Marlon Moraes on October 11, 2020 at UFC Fight Night 179 in the main event.[32] Sandhagen won the fight via technical knockout in round two.[33] This win earned him the Performance of the Night award.[34]

2021 edit

Sandhagen faced Frankie Edgar at UFC Fight Night 184 on February 6, 2021.[35] He won the fight via knockout by flying knee in the first round.[36] This win earned him the Performance of the Night award.[37]

Sandhagen was scheduled to face T.J. Dillashaw on May 8, 2021, at UFC on ESPN 24.[38] However, Dillashaw announced on April 27 that he had to pull out of the fight due to a cut he received from a headbutt in training.[39][40] The pairing remained intact and was rescheduled to headline UFC on ESPN: Sandhagen vs. Dillashaw on July 24, 2021.[41] He lost a close fight via split decision.[42] 17 out of 23 media outlets scored the bout as a win for Sandhagen.[43]

Sandhagen faced Petr Yan for the Interim UFC Bantamweight Championship at UFC 267 on October 30, 2021. Sandhagen served as a late replacement for Aljamain Sterling, who was forced to withdraw from the bout with Yan due to a neck injury.[44] He lost the bout via unanimous decision.[45] This bout earned the Fight of the Night award.[46]

2022 edit

Sandhagen faced Song Yadong on September 17, 2022, at UFC Fight Night 210.[47] He won the fight via technical knockout after the doctor stopped the fight due to a cut.[48]

2023 edit

Sandhagen was scheduled to face Marlon Vera on February 18, 2023, at UFC Fight Night 219.[49] However, the bout was rebooked for UFC on ESPN 43 on March 25.[50] Sandhagen won the fight via split decision.[51] Though one judge scored the bout for Vera, 24 out of 24 media outlets scored the bout for Sandhagen.[52]

Sandhagen was scheduled to face Umar Nurmagomedov on August 5, 2023 at UFC on ESPN 50 in Nashville, Tennessee.[53] However, Nurmagomedov withdrew from the event mid-July due to shoulder injury,[54] and was replaced by Rob Font in a catchweight bout of 140 pounds.[55] Sandhagen won the fight via unanimous decision despite tearing his right triceps during the first round.[56]

Personal life edit

Apart from his mixed martial arts career, Sandhagen worked part-time at a trauma center for children. He teaches mixed martial arts at High Altitude Martial Arts in Aurora, Colorado.[57]

Championships and achievements edit

Mixed martial arts record edit

Professional record breakdown
21 matches 17 wins 4 losses
By knockout 7 0
By submission 3 1
By decision 7 3
Res. Record Opponent Method Event Date Round Time Location Notes
Win 17–4 Rob Font Decision (unanimous) UFC on ESPN: Sandhagen vs. Font August 5, 2023 5 5:00 Nashville, Tennessee, United States Catchweight (140 lb) bout.
Win 16–4 Marlon Vera Decision (split) UFC on ESPN: Vera vs. Sandhagen March 25, 2023 5 5:00 San Antonio, Texas, United States
Win 15–4 Song Yadong TKO (doctor stoppage) UFC Fight Night: Sandhagen vs. Song September 17, 2022 4 5:00 Las Vegas, Nevada, United States
Loss 14–4 Petr Yan Decision (unanimous) UFC 267 October 30, 2021 5 5:00 Abu Dhabi, United Arab Emirates For the interim UFC Bantamweight Championship. Fight of the Night.
Loss 14–3 T.J. Dillashaw Decision (split) UFC on ESPN: Sandhagen vs. Dillashaw July 24, 2021 5 5:00 Las Vegas, Nevada, United States
Win 14–2 Frankie Edgar KO (flying knee) UFC Fight Night: Overeem vs. Volkov February 6, 2021 1 0:28 Las Vegas, Nevada, United States Performance of the Night.
Win 13–2 Marlon Moraes TKO (spinning wheel kick and punches) UFC Fight Night: Moraes vs. Sandhagen October 10, 2020 2 1:03 Abu Dhabi, United Arab Emirates Performance of the Night.
Loss 12–2 Aljamain Sterling Submission (rear-naked choke) UFC 250 June 6, 2020 1 1:28 Las Vegas, Nevada, United States UFC bantamweight title eliminator
Win 12–1 Raphael Assunção Decision (unanimous) UFC 241 August 17, 2019 3 5:00 Anaheim, California, United States
Win 11–1 John Lineker Decision (split) UFC Fight Night: Jacaré vs. Hermansson April 27, 2019 3 5:00 Sunrise, Florida, United States
Win 10–1 Mario Bautista Submission (armbar) UFC Fight Night: Cejudo vs. Dillashaw January 19, 2019 1 3:31 Brooklyn, New York, United States
Win 9–1 Iuri Alcântara TKO (punches) UFC Fight Night: Gaethje vs. Vick August 25, 2018 2 1:01 Lincoln, Nebraska, United States Return to Bantamweight. Fight of the Night.
Win 8–1 Austin Arnett TKO (punches) UFC on Fox: Jacaré vs. Brunson 2 January 27, 2018 2 3:48 Charlotte, North Carolina, United States
Win 7–1 José Aguayo TKO (knee and elbows) LFA 31 January 19, 2018 1 1:07 Phoenix, Arizona, United States
Win 6–1 Luiz Antônio Lobo Gavinho TKO (punches) LFA 24 October 13, 2017 1 3:00 Phoenix, Arizona, United States
Loss 5–1 Jamall Emmers Decision (unanimous) LFA 5 February 24, 2017 3 5:00 Broomfield, Colorado, United States
Win 5–0 Clay Wimer Decision (unanimous) RFA 43 September 9, 2016 3 5:00 Broomfield, Colorado, United States
Win 4–0 Josh Huber Decision (unanimous) Sparta Combat League 50 July 16, 2016 3 5:00 Castle Rock, Colorado, United States Won the SCL Featherweight Championship.
Win 3–0 Dalton Goddard Submission (triangle choke) Paramount MMA 2016 May 15, 2016 1 3:38 Denver, Colorado, United States
Win 2–0 Andrew Tenneson Decision (unanimous) RFA 34 January 15, 2016 3 5:00 Broomfield, Colorado, United States Featherweight debut.
Win 1–0 Bruce Sessman Submission (rear-naked choke) FTW: Prize Fighting Championship 9 May 30, 2015 1 1:16 Williston, North Dakota, United States Bantamweight debut.

[62]

See also edit

References edit

  1. ^ "Кори Сэндхаген | UFC". ufc.ru (in Russian). 2018-11-01. Retrieved 2022-10-20.
  2. ^ a b c Zac Pacleb (October 9, 2020). "Inside The Mind Of Cory Sandhagen". Ultimate Fighting Championship.
  3. ^ Chris Huntemann (January 17, 2018). "LFA 31's Cory Sandhagen: Getting Into the Zone". combatpress.com.
  4. ^ @enterthesandman135 (December 12, 2017). ""Brown belt last night (...)"". Retrieved February 16, 2021 – via Instagram.
  5. ^ "UFC Rankings, Division Rankings, P4P rankings, UFC Champions | UFC.com". www.ufc.com. Retrieved 2024-04-16.
  6. ^ a b "Welcome to the UFC, coach Cory!". highaltitudema.com. January 29, 2018. Retrieved November 2, 2020.
  7. ^ Chuck Mindenhall (April 27, 2019). "Bantamweight upstart Cory Sandhagen has a plan: Get in, seize the prizes, get out". mmafighting.com.
  8. ^ "Coach Cory Sandhagen". High Altitude Martial Arts. Retrieved 2024-01-13.
  9. ^ "LFA 5 results: Adam Townsend escapes early trouble, beats Marcus Edwards by TKO". MMAjunkie. 2017-02-25.
  10. ^ "LFA 24 Results: Frincu vs. Millender". www.mmafighting.com. 13 October 2017.
  11. ^ "LFA 31: Moffett vs. Le". Tapology.com. Retrieved 2019-01-21.
  12. ^ "UFC NEWCOMERS COMPLETE CHARLOTTE CARD". UFC.com. 2018-01-22. Retrieved 2019-01-21.
  13. ^ "UFC on FOX 27 results: Cory Sandhagen body shots take out Austin Arnett in second". MMAFighting.com. 2018-01-27. Retrieved 2019-01-21.
  14. ^ "UFC Fight Night: Gaethje vs. Vick fight card". Bloody Elbow. 2018-08-05. Retrieved 2019-01-21.
  15. ^ "UFC Lincoln prelims results and highlights: Sandhagen scores crazy comeback TKO vs. Alcantara". Bloody Elbow. 2018-08-25. Retrieved 2019-01-21.
  16. ^ a b "UFC Lincoln bonuses: Justin Gaethje earns fifth bonus in four fights". MMAFighting. 2018-08-26. Retrieved 2019-01-21.
  17. ^ "Thomas Almeida returns vs. Cory Sandhagen at UFC on ESPN+ 1 in Brooklyn". MMAJunkie. 2018-12-10. Retrieved 2019-01-21.
  18. ^ Ariel Helwani (2018-12-22). "Sources: Lineker-Sandhagen in works for Jan. 19". espn.com. Retrieved 2019-01-21.
  19. ^ Jay Pettry (2019-01-10). "John Lineker out of bout with Cory Sandhagen at UFC on ESPN". sherdog.com. Retrieved 2019-01-21.
  20. ^ Staff (2019-01-12). "Report: Mario Bautista in for John Lineker, meets Cory Sandhagen at UFC Brooklyn". mmajunkie.com. Retrieved 2019-01-21.
  21. ^ "UFC on ESPN+ 1 prelims results: Prospects Menifield, Sandhagen shine; Calderwood victorious". mmajunkie.com. 2019-01-19. Retrieved 2019-01-21.
  22. ^ Steven Marrocco (2019-02-13). "John Lineker vs. Cory Sandhagen rescheduled for UFC on ESPN 3 in Miami". mmadjunkie.com. Retrieved 2019-02-13.
  23. ^ "UFC on ESPN+ 8 results: Cory Sandhagen survives late scare, beats John Lineker by split decision". MMA Junkie. 2019-04-28. Retrieved 2019-04-29.
  24. ^ Lee, Alexander K. (2019-05-22). "Raphael Assuncao vs. Cory Sandhagen set for UFC 241". MMA Fighting. Retrieved 2019-05-23.
  25. ^ Anderson, Jay (2019-08-17). "UFC 241 Results: Cory Sandhagen Picks Up Biggest Win to Date Over Raphael Assuncao". Cageside Press. Retrieved 2019-08-18.
  26. ^ Martin, Damon (2019-11-13). "Frankie Edgar's bantamweight debut set for UFC Raleigh against Cory Sandhagen". MMA Fighting. Retrieved 2019-11-14.
  27. ^ Bohn, Mike (2019-12-05). "Frankie Edgar replaces Brian Ortega, meets Chan Sung Jung at UFC on ESPN+ 23". MMA junkie. Retrieved 2019-12-05.
  28. ^ Redactie (2019-12-23). "Cory Sandhagen definitely not in action during UFC Raleigh". mmadna.nl. Retrieved 2019-12-23. (in Dutch)
  29. ^ "Aljamain Sterling vs. Cory Sandhagen Targeted For UFC 250". MMA News. 2020-05-21. Retrieved 2020-05-21.
  30. ^ Fernando Quiles, Jr. (June 6, 2020). "UFC President Dana White Confirms Sterling vs. Sandhagen Is Title Eliminator". MMANews.com.
  31. ^ Damon Martin (June 6, 2020). "UFC 250 results: Aljamain Sterling chokes out Cory Sandhagen in statement performance". MMAFighting.com. Retrieved June 6, 2020.
  32. ^ "Marlon Moraes Vs. Cory Sandhagen Reportedly Set For October UFC Card". FIGHT SPORTS. 2020-08-06. Retrieved 2020-09-05.
  33. ^ Vreeland, Daniel (2020-10-10). "UFC Fight Island 5 Results: Cory Sandhagen Styles on Marlon Moraes". Cageside Press. Retrieved 2020-10-11.
  34. ^ a b Haynes, Stephie (2020-10-10). "UFC Fight Island 5 bonuses: Buckley stuns with highlight reel knockout". Bloody Elbow. Retrieved 2020-10-11.
  35. ^ Alexander K. Lee, Damon Martin, Guilherme Cruz (December 18, 2020). "Cory Sandhagen to fight Frankie Edgar at Feb. 6 UFC show". MMAFighting.com. Retrieved December 18, 2020.{{cite web}}: CS1 maint: multiple names: authors list (link)
  36. ^ Doherty, Dan (2021-02-06). "UFC Vegas 18 Results: Cory Sandhagen Flattens Frankie Edgar in 30 Seconds". Cageside Press. Retrieved 2021-02-07.
  37. ^ a b "UFC Vegas 18 Bonuses: Alexander Volkov Among Fighters To Nab Performance Checks". MMA News. 2021-02-07. Retrieved 2021-02-07.
  38. ^ Taylor, Christopher (2021-03-19). "Former UFC bantamweight champion TJ Dillashaw set to return on May 8 for five-round main event against Cory Sandhagen | BJPenn.com". | BJPenn.com. Retrieved 2021-03-19.
  39. ^ "Facial cut forces T.J. Dillashaw from UFC comeback fight vs. Cory Sandhagen". MMA Junkie. 2021-04-28. Retrieved 2021-04-28.
  40. ^ Tristen Critchfield (2019-04-28). "T.J. Dillashaw out of UFC on ESPN 24; Waterson vs. Rodriguez targeted as new main event". sherdog.com. Retrieved 2021-04-28.
  41. ^ "T.J. Dillashaw's return vs. Cory Sandhagen rebooked for UFC Fight Night on July 24". MMA Junkie. 2021-05-18. Retrieved 2021-05-19.
  42. ^ Doherty, Dan (2021-07-24). "UFC Vegas 32 Results: TJ Dillashaw Wins Razor-Close Decision Over Cory Sandhagen". Cageside Press. Retrieved 2021-07-25.
  43. ^ "T.J. Dillashaw def. Cory Sandhagen :: UFC on ESPN 27 :: MMA Decisions". mmadecisions.com. Retrieved 2021-07-25.
  44. ^ Mike Heck; Damon Martin (September 28, 2021). "Petr Yan vs. Cory Sandhagen set for interim bantamweight title fight at UFC 267". MMAFighting.com. Retrieved September 28, 2021.{{cite web}}: CS1 maint: multiple names: authors list (link)
  45. ^ Anderson, Jay (2021-10-30). "UFC 267 Results: Petr Yan Claims Interim Title in Thriller Against Cory Sandhagen". Cageside Press. Retrieved 2021-10-30.
  46. ^ a b "UFC 267 bonuses: Glover Teixeira's Cinderella story worth an extra $50,000". MMA Junkie. 2021-10-30. Retrieved 2021-10-30.
  47. ^ Raimondi, Marc (2022-06-17). "Sources: Sandhagen-Song to headline Sept. card". ESPN.com. Retrieved 2022-06-18.
  48. ^ Dewar, Val (2022-09-17). "UFC Vegas 60: Nasty Cut Halts Cory Sandhagen vs. Song Yadong Early". Cageside Press. Retrieved 2022-09-18.
  49. ^ Mike Bohn (2022-12-23). "Marlon Vera vs. Cory Sandhagen to headline UFC Fight Night on Feb. 18". mmajunkie.usatoday.com. Retrieved 2022-12-23.
  50. ^ Staff (2023-02-02). "Cory Sandhagen vs. Marlon Vera rebooked to headline March 25 UFC event". mmafighting.com. Retrieved 2023-02-02.
  51. ^ Doherty, Dan (2023-03-25). "UFC San Antonio: Cory Sandhagen Puts On Clinic Against Marlon Vera". Cageside Press. Retrieved 2023-03-26.
  52. ^ "Cory Sandhagen defeats Marlon Vera". MMA Decisions. Retrieved March 26, 2023.
  53. ^ Nolan King and Matthew Wells (2023-06-15). "UFC books Cory Sandhagen vs. Umar Nurmagomedov headliner for Nashville". mmajunkie.usatoday.com. Retrieved 2023-06-15.
  54. ^ Nolan King (2023-07-19). "Umar Nurmagomedov out of UFC on ESPN 50 main event vs. Cory Sandhagen". mmajunkie.usatoday.com. Retrieved 2023-07-19.
  55. ^ Nolan King (2023-07-20). "Rob Font steps into UFC Nashville main event vs. Cory Sandhagen after Umar Nurmagomedov's withdrawal". mmajunkie.usatoday.com. Retrieved 2023-07-20.
  56. ^ Dewar, Val (2023-08-06). "UFC Nashville: Cory Sandhagen Dominates Font with Wrestling After Early Torn Tricep Injury". Cageside Press. Retrieved 2023-08-06.
  57. ^ Steven Marrocco (January 26, 2019). "Cory Sandhagen's UFC dream: Fighting mastery, and a stone-cold octagon stunner". mmajunkie.com.
  58. ^ MMA Junkie Staff (2 March 2021). "MMA Junkie's 'Knockout of the Month' for February: A flying knee for the ages". mmajunkie.usatoday.com. Retrieved 2 March 2021.
  59. ^ Mike Bohn (August 5, 2021). "MMA Junkie's 'Fight of the Month' for July: A high-stakes bantamweight banger". MMAjunkie.com.
  60. ^ "MMA 2021 Year in Review: Knockout of the Year". 31 December 2021. Retrieved 2021-12-31.
  61. ^ Dan Kuhl (February 8, 2022). "Combat Press 2021 MMA Awards: Knockout of the Year – Cory Sandhagen vs. Frankie Edgar". combatpress.com.
  62. ^ Sherdog.com. "Cory Sandhagen MMA Stats, Pictures, News, Videos, Biography - Sherdog.com". Sherdog. Retrieved 2020-06-07.

External links edit

  • Cory Sandhagen at UFC 
  • Cory Sandhagen at Sherdog 
  • Cory Sandhagen at Tapology.com 
  • Cory Sandhagen at Fight Matrix