Cory Sandhagen

Last updated
Cory Sandhagen
Cory Sandhagen at UFC Fight Night 143.jpg
Sandhagen in 2019
BornCory James Sandhagen [1]
(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)
Division Bantamweight (2015, 2018–present)
Featherweight (2016–2018)
Reach69+1⁄2 in (177 cm) [2]
Fighting out ofAurora, Colorado, U.S.
TeamHigh Altitude Martial Arts (2010–present) [3]
Elevation Fight Team (2017–2024) [4]
Forge Fight Club (2024–present) [5]
RankBrown belt in Brazilian jiu-jitsu under Eliot Marshall [6]
Years active2015–present
Mixed martial arts record
Total22
Wins17
By knockout7
By submission3
By decision7
Losses5
By submission1
By decision4
Other information
University University of Colorado Boulder [3]
Mixed martial arts record from Sherdog

Cory James Sandhagen (born April 20, 1992) is an American professional mixed martial artist. He currently competes in the Bantamweight division of the Ultimate Fighting Championship (UFC). A professional competitor since 2015, Sandhagen has also competed for Legacy Fighting Alliance. As of August 6, 2024, he is #4 in the UFC bantamweight rankings. [7]

Contents

Background

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. [8] 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. [9] [10]

Sandhagen graduated from the University of Colorado Boulder with a degree in psychology. [3] [8]

Mixed martial arts career

Early career

Sandhagen made his Legacy Fighting Alliance debut on February 24, 2017, at LFA 5 against Jamall Emmers, losing the bout via unanimous decision. [11] His next fight was on October 17, 2017, against Luiz Antonio Lobo Gavinho at LFA 24, which he won via first round TKO. [12] Sandhagen's final appearance for Legacy Fighting Alliance came on January 19, 2018, at LFA 31, defeating Jose Aguayo via first round TKO. [13]

Ultimate Fighting Championship

2018

Sandhagen made his promotional debut at UFC on Fox: Jacaré vs. Brunson 2 on January 27, 2018, against Austin Arnett. [14] He won the fight via second-round TKO. [15]

His next bout was at UFC Fight Night: Gaethje vs. Vick on August 25, 2018 Iuri Alcantara. [16] After a back-and-forth affair, he won the fight via second-round TKO. [17] This fight earned him the Fight of the Night award. [18]

2019

Sandhagen was scheduled to face Thomas Almeida at UFC Fight Night: Cejudo vs. Dillashaw. [19] However, it was later announced that Sandhagen would face John Lineker at the event instead. [20] On January 10, Lineker was forced to withdraw from the bout due to a rib injury. [21] He was replaced by promotional newcomer Mario Bautista. [22] He won the bout via first round submission. [23]

The bout with Lineker was rescheduled and eventually took place on April 27, 2019, at UFC Fight Night: Jacaré vs. Hermansson. [24] Sandhagen won the fight via split decision. [25]

Sandhagen faced Raphael Assunção on August 17, 2019, at UFC 241. [26] He won the bout by unanimous decision. [27]

2020

Sandhagen was scheduled to face Frankie Edgar in a bantamweight bout on January 25, 2020, at UFC Fight Night 166. [28] However, Edgar was removed from the fight in favor of a bout against Chan Sung Jung a month earlier at UFC Fight Night 165. [29] In turn, Sandhagen was removed from the card. [30]

Sandhagen faced Aljamain Sterling on June 6, 2020, at UFC 250 [31] in a bout that UFC president Dana White confirmed to be a bantamweight title eliminator. [32] He lost the bout via submission in the first round. [33]

Sandhagen faced Marlon Moraes on October 11, 2020 at UFC Fight Night 179 in the main event. [34] Sandhagen won the fight via technical knockout in round two. [35] This win earned him the Performance of the Night award. [36]

2021

Sandhagen faced Frankie Edgar at UFC Fight Night 184 on February 6, 2021. [37] He won the fight via knockout by flying knee in the first round. [38] This win earned him the Performance of the Night award. [39]

Sandhagen was scheduled to face T.J. Dillashaw on May 8, 2021, at UFC on ESPN 24. [40] 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. [41] [42] The pairing remained intact and was rescheduled to headline UFC on ESPN: Sandhagen vs. Dillashaw on July 24, 2021. [43] He lost a close fight via split decision. [44] 17 out of 23 media outlets scored the bout as a win for Sandhagen. [45]

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. [46] He lost the bout via unanimous decision. [47] This bout earned the Fight of the Night award. [48]

2022

Sandhagen faced Song Yadong on September 17, 2022, at UFC Fight Night 210. [49] He won the fight via technical knockout after the doctor stopped the fight due to a cut. [50]

2023

Sandhagen was scheduled to face Marlon Vera on February 18, 2023, at UFC Fight Night 219. [51] However, the bout was rebooked for UFC on ESPN 43 on March 25. [52] Sandhagen won the fight via split decision. [53] Though one judge scored the bout for Vera, 24 out of 24 media outlets scored the bout for Sandhagen. [54]

Sandhagen was scheduled to face Umar Nurmagomedov on August 5, 2023 at UFC on ESPN 50 in Nashville, Tennessee. [55] However, Nurmagomedov withdrew from the event mid-July due to shoulder injury, [56] and was replaced by Rob Font in a catchweight bout of 140 pounds. [57] Sandhagen won the fight via unanimous decision despite tearing his right triceps during the first round. [58]

2024

Sandhagen faced Umar Nurmagomedov on August 3, 2024, at UFC on ABC: Sandhagen vs. Nurmagomedov in a bantamweight title eliminator. [59] [60] He lost the fight by unanimous decision. [61]

2025

Sandhagen is scheduled to face former two-time UFC Flyweight Champion Deiveson Figueiredo in the main event on May 3, 2025 at UFC Fight Night 258. [62]

Personal life

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. [63]

Sandhagen and his wife Erica got married in September 2023. [64]

Championships and achievements

Mixed martial arts record

Professional record breakdown
22 matches17 wins5 losses
By knockout70
By submission31
By decision74
Res.RecordOpponentMethodEventDateRoundTimeLocationNotes
Loss17–5 Umar Nurmagomedov Decision (unanimous) UFC on ABC: Sandhagen vs. Nurmagomedov August 3, 202455:00 Abu Dhabi, United Arab Emirates UFC Bantamweight title eliminator.
Win17–4 Rob Font Decision (unanimous) UFC on ESPN: Sandhagen vs. Font August 5, 202355:00 Nashville, Tennessee, United StatesCatchweight (140 lb) bout.
Win16–4 Marlon Vera Decision (split) UFC on ESPN: Vera vs. Sandhagen March 25, 202355:00 San Antonio, Texas, United States
Win15–4 Song Yadong TKO (doctor stoppage) UFC Fight Night: Sandhagen vs. Song September 17, 202245:00 Las Vegas, Nevada, United States
Loss14–4 Petr Yan Decision (unanimous) UFC 267 October 30, 202155:00 Abu Dhabi, United Arab EmiratesFor the interim UFC Bantamweight Championship. Fight of the Night.
Loss14–3 T.J. Dillashaw Decision (split) UFC on ESPN: Sandhagen vs. Dillashaw July 24, 202155:00 Las Vegas, Nevada, United States
Win14–2 Frankie Edgar KO (flying knee) UFC Fight Night: Overeem vs. Volkov February 6, 202110:28 Las Vegas, Nevada, United StatesPerformance of the Night.
Win13–2 Marlon Moraes TKO (spinning wheel kick and punches) UFC Fight Night: Moraes vs. Sandhagen October 10, 202021:03 Abu Dhabi, United Arab EmiratesPerformance of the Night.
Loss12–2 Aljamain Sterling Submission (rear-naked choke) UFC 250 June 6, 202011:28 Las Vegas, Nevada, United States UFC Bantamweight title eliminator.
Win12–1 Raphael Assunção Decision (unanimous) UFC 241 August 17, 201935:00 Anaheim, California, United States
Win11–1 John Lineker Decision (split) UFC Fight Night: Jacaré vs. Hermansson April 27, 201935:00 Sunrise, Florida, United States
Win10–1 Mario Bautista Submission (armbar) UFC Fight Night: Cejudo vs. Dillashaw January 19, 201913:31 Brooklyn, New York, United States
Win9–1 Iuri Alcântara TKO (punches) UFC Fight Night: Gaethje vs. Vick August 25, 201821:01 Lincoln, Nebraska, United StatesReturn to Bantamweight. Fight of the Night.
Win8–1 Austin Arnett TKO (punches) UFC on Fox: Jacaré vs. Brunson 2 January 27, 201823:48 Charlotte, North Carolina, United States
Win7–1José AguayoTKO (knee and elbows) LFA 31 January 19, 201811:07 Phoenix, Arizona, United States
Win6–1Luiz Antônio Lobo GavinhoTKO (punches) LFA 24 October 13, 201713:00 Phoenix, Arizona, United States
Loss5–1 Jamall Emmers Decision (unanimous) LFA 5 February 24, 201735:00 Broomfield, Colorado, United States
Win5–0Clay WimerDecision (unanimous)RFA 43September 9, 201635:00 Broomfield, Colorado, United States
Win4–0Josh HuberDecision (unanimous)Sparta Combat League 50July 16, 201635:00 Castle Rock, Colorado, United StatesWon the SCL Featherweight Championship.
Win3–0Dalton GoddardSubmission (triangle choke)Paramount MMA 2016May 15, 201613:38 Denver, Colorado, United States
Win2–0Andrew TennesonDecision (unanimous)RFA 34January 15, 201635:00 Broomfield, Colorado, United StatesFeatherweight debut.
Win1–0Bruce SessmanSubmission (rear-naked choke)FTW: Prize Fighting Championship 9May 30, 201511:16 Williston, North Dakota, United StatesBantamweight debut.

[75]

See also

References

  1. ↑ https://boxrec.com/en/mma-pro/1165845
  2. ↑ "Кори Сэндхаген | UFC". ufc.ru (in Russian). 2018-11-01. Retrieved 2022-10-20.
  3. 1 2 3 Zac Pacleb (October 9, 2020). "Inside The Mind Of Cory Sandhagen". Ultimate Fighting Championship .
  4. ↑ Chris Huntemann (January 17, 2018). "LFA 31's Cory Sandhagen: Getting Into the Zone". combatpress.com.
  5. ↑ Sportskeeda MMA Originals (June 12, 2024). Cory Sandhagen says he can "definitely" finish Umar Nurmagomedov – via YouTube.
  6. ↑ @enterthesandman135 (December 12, 2017). ""Brown belt last night (...)"" . Retrieved February 16, 2021– via Instagram.
  7. ↑ "UFC Rankings, Division Rankings, P4P rankings, UFC Champions | UFC.com". www.ufc.com. Retrieved 2024-08-06.
  8. 1 2 "Welcome to the UFC, coach Cory!". highaltitudema.com. January 29, 2018. Retrieved November 2, 2020.
  9. ↑ Chuck Mindenhall (April 27, 2019). "Bantamweight upstart Cory Sandhagen has a plan: Get in, seize the prizes, get out". mmafighting.com.
  10. ↑ "Coach Cory Sandhagen". High Altitude Martial Arts. Retrieved 2024-01-13.
  11. ↑ "LFA 5 results: Adam Townsend escapes early trouble, beats Marcus Edwards by TKO". MMAjunkie. 2017-02-25.
  12. ↑ "LFA 24 Results: Frincu vs. Millender". www.mmafighting.com. 13 October 2017.
  13. ↑ "LFA 31: Moffett vs. Le". Tapology.com. Retrieved 2019-01-21.
  14. ↑ "UFC NEWCOMERS COMPLETE CHARLOTTE CARD". UFC.com. 2018-01-22. Retrieved 2019-01-21.
  15. ↑ "UFC on FOX 27 results: Cory Sandhagen body shots take out Austin Arnett in second". MMAFighting.com. 2018-01-27. Retrieved 2019-01-21.
  16. ↑ "UFC Fight Night: Gaethje vs. Vick fight card". Bloody Elbow. 2018-08-05. Archived from the original on 2019-05-01. Retrieved 2019-01-21.
  17. ↑ "UFC Lincoln prelims results and highlights: Sandhagen scores crazy comeback TKO vs. Alcantara". Bloody Elbow. 2018-08-25. Archived from the original on 2019-05-01. Retrieved 2019-01-21.
  18. 1 2 "UFC Lincoln bonuses: Justin Gaethje earns fifth bonus in four fights". MMAFighting. 2018-08-26. Retrieved 2019-01-21.
  19. ↑ "Thomas Almeida returns vs. Cory Sandhagen at UFC on ESPN+ 1 in Brooklyn". MMAJunkie. 2018-12-10. Retrieved 2019-01-21.
  20. ↑ Ariel Helwani (2018-12-22). "Sources: Lineker-Sandhagen in works for Jan. 19". espn.com. Retrieved 2019-01-21.
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  25. ↑ "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.
  26. ↑ Lee, Alexander K. (2019-05-22). "Raphael Assuncao vs. Cory Sandhagen set for UFC 241". MMA Fighting. Retrieved 2019-05-23.
  27. ↑ 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.
  28. ↑ Martin, Damon (2019-11-13). "Frankie Edgar's bantamweight debut set for UFC Raleigh against Cory Sandhagen". MMA Fighting. Retrieved 2019-11-14.
  29. ↑ 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.
  30. ↑ Redactie (2019-12-23). "Cory Sandhagen definitely not in action during UFC Raleigh". mmadna.nl. Retrieved 2019-12-23.(in Dutch)
  31. ↑ "Aljamain Sterling vs. Cory Sandhagen Targeted For UFC 250". MMA News. 2020-05-21. Retrieved 2020-05-21.
  32. ↑ Fernando Quiles, Jr. (June 6, 2020). "UFC President Dana White Confirms Sterling vs. Sandhagen Is Title Eliminator". MMANews.com.
  33. ↑ Damon Martin (June 6, 2020). "UFC 250 results: Aljamain Sterling chokes out Cory Sandhagen in statement performance". MMAFighting.com. Retrieved June 6, 2020.
  34. ↑ "Marlon Moraes Vs. Cory Sandhagen Reportedly Set For October UFC Card". FIGHT SPORTS. 2020-08-06. Retrieved 2020-09-05.
  35. ↑ Vreeland, Daniel (2020-10-10). "UFC Fight Island 5 Results: Cory Sandhagen Styles on Marlon Moraes". Cageside Press. Retrieved 2020-10-11.
  36. 1 2 Haynes, Stephie (2020-10-10). "UFC Fight Island 5 bonuses: Buckley stuns with highlight reel knockout". Bloody Elbow. Archived from the original on 2020-10-14. Retrieved 2020-10-11.
  37. ↑ 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)
  38. ↑ Doherty, Dan (2021-02-06). "UFC Vegas 18 Results: Cory Sandhagen Flattens Frankie Edgar in 30 Seconds". Cageside Press. Retrieved 2021-02-07.
  39. 1 2 "UFC Vegas 18 Bonuses: Alexander Volkov Among Fighters To Nab Performance Checks". MMA News. 2021-02-07. Retrieved 2021-02-07.
  40. ↑ 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.
  41. ↑ "Facial cut forces T.J. Dillashaw from UFC comeback fight vs. Cory Sandhagen". MMA Junkie. 2021-04-28. Retrieved 2021-04-28.
  42. ↑ 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.
  43. ↑ "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.
  44. ↑ Doherty, Dan (2021-07-24). "UFC Vegas 32 Results: TJ Dillashaw Wins Razor-Close Decision Over Cory Sandhagen". Cageside Press. Retrieved 2021-07-25.
  45. ↑ "T.J. Dillashaw def. Cory Sandhagen :: UFC on ESPN 27 :: MMA Decisions". mmadecisions.com. Retrieved 2021-07-25.
  46. ↑ 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)
  47. ↑ Anderson, Jay (2021-10-30). "UFC 267 Results: Petr Yan Claims Interim Title in Thriller Against Cory Sandhagen". Cageside Press. Retrieved 2021-10-30.
  48. 1 2 "UFC 267 bonuses: Glover Teixeira's Cinderella story worth an extra $50,000". MMA Junkie. 2021-10-30. Retrieved 2021-10-30.
  49. ↑ Raimondi, Marc (2022-06-17). "Sources: Sandhagen-Song to headline Sept. card". ESPN.com. Retrieved 2022-06-18.
  50. ↑ Dewar, Val (2022-09-17). "UFC Vegas 60: Nasty Cut Halts Cory Sandhagen vs. Song Yadong Early". Cageside Press. Retrieved 2022-09-18.
  51. ↑ 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.
  52. ↑ Staff (2023-02-02). "Cory Sandhagen vs. Marlon Vera rebooked to headline March 25 UFC event". mmafighting.com. Retrieved 2023-02-02.
  53. ↑ Doherty, Dan (2023-03-25). "UFC San Antonio: Cory Sandhagen Puts On Clinic Against Marlon Vera". Cageside Press. Retrieved 2023-03-26.
  54. ↑ "Cory Sandhagen defeats Marlon Vera". MMA Decisions. Retrieved March 26, 2023.
  55. ↑ 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.
  56. ↑ 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.
  57. ↑ 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.
  58. ↑ Dewar, Val (2023-08-06). "UFC Nashville: Cory Sandhagen Dominates Font with Wrestling After Early Torn Tricep Injury". Cageside Press. Retrieved 2023-08-06.
  59. ↑ Martin, Damon (2024-05-06). "Cory Sandhagen vs. Umar Nurmagomedov booked for main event at UFC Abu Dhabi on Aug. 3". MMA Fighting. Retrieved 2024-05-06.
  60. ↑ Martin, Damon (2024-05-29). "Nick Diaz returns, Tony Ferguson moves to welterweight at UFC Abu Dhabi". MMA Fighting. Retrieved 2024-05-29.
  61. ↑ Patrick McCorry (2024-08-03). "UFC Abu Dhabi: Umar Nurmagomedov Pushes Towards Title Shot with Win Over Cory Sandhagen". cagesidepress.com. Retrieved 2024-08-03.
  62. ↑ Mike Bohn (2025-02-20). "Deiveson Figueiredo vs. Cory Sandhagen to headline UFC Des Moines event in May". mmajunkie.usatoday.com. Retrieved 2025-02-20.
  63. ↑ Steven Marrocco (January 26, 2019). "Cory Sandhagen's UFC dream: Fighting mastery, and a stone-cold octagon stunner". mmajunkie.com.
  64. ↑ "Instagram". www.instagram.com. Retrieved 2024-05-01.
  65. ↑ Nolan King (2024-07-31). "UFC on ABC 7 pre-event facts: Tony Ferguson needs win to avoid longest losing skid in octagon history". mmajunkie.usatoday.com. Retrieved 2024-07-31.
  66. ↑ Zac Pacleb (2022-01-13). "UFC Honors 2021 Presidential Awards Nominees". ufc.com. Retrieved 2025-01-13.
  67. ↑ Gerbasi, Thomas (2 January 2020). "Ten Best – The Submissions of 2019". Ultimate Fighting Championship .
  68. ↑ Thomas Gerbasi (December 26, 2021). "THE TEN BEST FIGHTS OF 2021". Ultimate Fighting Championship .
  69. ↑ Thomas Gerbasi (December 21, 2021). "The 10 Best Knockouts Of 2021". Ultimate Fighting Championship . Archived from the original on January 6, 2022. Retrieved January 6, 2022.
  70. ↑ Thomas Gerbasi (December 26, 2021). "THE TEN BEST FIGHTS OF 2021". Ultimate Fighting Championship .
  71. ↑ 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.
  72. ↑ Mike Bohn (August 5, 2021). "MMA Junkie's 'Fight of the Month' for July: A high-stakes bantamweight banger". MMAjunkie.com .
  73. ↑ "MMA 2021 Year in Review: Knockout of the Year". 31 December 2021. Retrieved 2021-12-31.
  74. ↑ Dan Kuhl (February 8, 2022). "Combat Press 2021 MMA Awards: Knockout of the Year – Cory Sandhagen vs. Frankie Edgar". combatpress.com.
  75. ↑ Sherdog.com. "Cory Sandhagen MMA Stats, Pictures, News, Videos, Biography - Sherdog.com". Sherdog. Retrieved 2020-06-07.
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