Ahead of UFC Vegas 60, we take a look at the odds and prediction for the main card
The UFC bantamweight division is shaping into one of the most exciting divisions in the UFC. Aljamain Sterling sits on top of the division after he cemented his position as the champion when he beat Petr Yan in their rematch. Yan is set to face Sean O’Malley in a stacked PPV card in Abu Dhabi at UFC 280. O’Malley will likely get the next title shot with a victory over Yan owing to his growing popularity. However, there are other fighters in the division that are shaping up to be the next challenger for the throne. Sandhagen has fallen short in the past but aims to make another run for the title with youth on his side. Two exciting bantamweights clash this weekend when Cory Sandhagen and Song Yadong lock horns in the main event of UFC Vegas 60.
Cory Sandhagen vs Song Yadong
Cory Sandhagen is the fourth-ranked bantamweight fighter in the UFC. An exciting fighter with a wide array of tools in his arsenal, Sandhagen puts on exciting fights every time he steps into the octagon. Sandhagen attended Smoky Hill High School where he was on the basketball team – a sport he had been playing from his youth. He later developed an interest in combat sports, first picking up kickboxing in which he won multiple WKA titles. After winning a WKA world title, Sandhagen began transitioning to mixed martial arts.
Sandhagen made his UFC debut at UFC on Fox: Jacaré vs. Brunson 2 on January 27, 2018 against Austin Arnett. He won the fight via second-round TKO. His next bout was at UFC Fight Night: Gaethje vs. Vick on August 25, 2018 against Iuri Alcantara. After a back-and-forth affair, he won the fight via second-round TKO. He also won the Fight of the Night award for his performance.
He faced Aljamain Sterling for a title eliminator fight at UFC 250. He lost the fight by submission in the first round. Sandhagen was last seen in the octagon against 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. He lost the bout via unanimous decision. The bout also earned the Fight of the Night award.
His opponent Song Yadong is a Chinese mixed martial artist who competes in the bantamweight division of the Ultimate Fighting Championship. As of June 27, 2022, he is ranked 10th in the UFC bantamweight rankings.
Song Yadong made his UFC debut against the first ever Indian-born fighter in the UFC and fellow debutante, Bharat Kandare at UFC Fight Night: Bisping vs. Gastelum in Shanghai, China. Song’s UFC debut took place on the 25th November, 2017. Song landed fast counter punches, combinations and some heavy leg kicks, but at the end of the fourth minute, Song landed a right hand that knocked Khandare down, causing Khandare to reach for Song’s legs to try and get a takedown; however, it was not a good attempt and Song was easily able to secure a front choke, giving Song his first UFC win and his third win by submission. [via Wikipedia]
His breakout performance came against Marlon Moraes on March 12, 2022 at UFC Fight Night 203. He won the fight via knockout in round one. This win earned him the Performance of the Night award.
Our Prediction – Sandhagen has been tested against the best in the division and held his own against the best names in the game. The American’s movement stifles opponents and they find it difficult to put him away. He also slick submission skills and incredible cardio. Song is riding on momentum but will find himself competing against the elite in the division. We predict that Cory Sandhagen will win the fight by submission or TKO in the third round.
Odds- Cory Sandhagen -160 and Song Yadong +140
Chidi Njokuani vs. Gregory Rodrigues
Chidi Godson Njokuani is an American-Nigerian former Muay Thai kickboxer and current professional mixed martial artist who currently competes in the middleweight division of UFC. A professional MMA competitor since 2007, he also formerly competed for Bellator MMA, RFA, Tachi Palace Fights, and Legacy FC.
His opponent, Gregory Felipe Santos Rodrigues is a Brazilian mixed martial artist who competes in the middleweight division of the Ultimate Fighting Championship. He is an eight-time National BJJ Champion and the Smash Global MMA Middleweight Champion and former Legacy Fighting Alliance (LFA) Middleweight Champion.
Our Prediction- If Gregory Rodrigues utilizes his superior grappling skills from the beginning, he has a great chance of wearing out his opponent and submitting him. Njokuani possesses tremendous power in his hands and can knock out Rodrigues. We predict a victory for Njokuani by knockout or TKO.
Odds: Chidi Njokuani -145 Gregory Rodrigues +125
UFC Vegas 60 Main Card
- Cory Sandhagen vs. Song Yadong; Bantamweight
- Chidi Njokuani vs. Gregory Rodrigues; Middleweight
- Andre Fili vs. Bill Algeo; Featherweight
- Tanner Boser vs. Rodrigo Nascimento; Heavyweight
UFC Vegas 60 Preliminary Card
- Anthony Hernandez vs. Marc-Andre Barriault; Middleweight
- Damon Jackson vs. Pat Sabatini; Featherweight
- Trevin Giles vs. Louis Cosce; Welterweight
- Joseph Pyfer vs. Alen Amedovski; Middleweight
- Aspen Ladd vs. Sara McMann; Bantamweight
- Denise Gomes vs. Loma Lookboonmee; Strawweight
- Nikolas Motta vs. Cameron VanCamp; Lightweight
- Tony Gravely vs. Javid Basharat; Bantamweight
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