Cory Sandhagen will be in action at UFC 250 (UFC)
We take a look at Cory Sandhagen’s martial arts background
Cory Sandhagen, the No. 4 ranked UFC bantamweight contender, secured a dominant unanimous decision win against Rob Font at UFC Nashville. Despite his impressive performance, some of his fans expressed disappointment with his new approach, which heavily relied on wrestling rather than his usual aggressive striking style.
During his post-fight interview, Sandhagen addressed the booing fans and apologized for not delivering the exciting firefight they were accustomed to seeing from him. He explained that injuries, particularly elbow problems and a potentially torn tricep, compelled him to adopt a more wrestling-oriented strategy.
While Sandhagen acknowledged the technical nature of his victory, he humorously referred to himself as “a wrestler now a little bit,” recognizing the contrast with his previous striking-focused persona.
Cory Sandhagen, hailing from Aurora, Colorado, developed a passion for combat sports after initially focusing on basketball during his time at Smoky Hill High School. Despite excelling in basketball, he found himself drawn to kickboxing and soon became a force to be reckoned with, earning several WKA titles. His accomplishments in kickboxing led him to claim a WKA world title, which marked the beginning of his transition into the world of mixed martial arts.
Despite not having a background in collegiate wrestling, Sandhagen displayed remarkable versatility in his fighting style, incorporating various skills acquired from kickboxing into his MMA repertoire. His dynamic and well-rounded approach to combat earned him a reputation as a formidable contender in the bantamweight division.
Moreover, he trains with submission wizard Ryan Hall, who was in his corner for the fight against Font, further signifying his wrestling heavy approach.
Former bantamweight champion Henry Cejudo didn’t hold back in expressing his thoughts on Cory Sandhagen’s recent performance against Rob Font at UFC Nashville. The main event fight, dominated by grappling exchanges, left many fans and pundits unimpressed, and Cejudo was no exception.
In a reaction video, Cejudo candidly remarked, “It makes me forgive myself for Aljamain.” The reference to his previous unsuccessful attempt to win the championship from Aljamain Sterling indicates that Cejudo is still hungry for another title shot.
Cejudo didn’t mince words when criticizing the fight’s lack of action. “Dude, they’re still f**ing hugging? What the f***,” he exclaimed. He believes that Sandhagen’s lackluster showing is not the way to secure a title shot and confidently stated, “It’s gonna be me and Merab, dude. It’s the only thing that makes logical sense.”
Known for his outspoken and ‘cringe’ persona, Cejudo has never shied away from calling out his fellow competitors. While he faced a setback against Sterling in May, he remains optimistic about his chances at another title opportunity.
As for Sandhagen, the future remains uncertain. While he emerged victorious against Font, the lack of excitement in the fight may impact his chances at an immediate title shot. Cejudo’s remarks have put him on notice, and now it’s up to the UFC to determine the next steps for both fighters.
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