UFC Fight Night: Sandhagen vs. Dillashaw Preview
Cory Sandhagen continues his bid to earn a UFC Bantamweight title shot. He takes on former champion T.J. Dillashaw who is making his comeback after a suspension for a drugs offence.
Sandhagen is six years younger than his opponent. He’s ranked second in the UFC Bantamweight division and another win here would take him a step towards a title shot.
He’d won five fights before debuting in the UFC in January 2018. Initially campaigning in the Featherweight division, he soon moved to Bantamweight and got off to a great start. August of 2018 saw him defeat Iuri Alcantara in round two in what was declared the fight of the night.
After five wins in the UFC he took on Aljamain Sterling last June in a title eliminator. Sterling won that in 88 seconds and went on to win the Bantamweight title in March 2021.
Since that loss, Sandhagen has won two fights as he looks to get a title shot. His most recent win was in Las Vegas with a 28 second win over Frankie Edgar. A flying knee got him that swift win and won him the February KO of the month award. He loves his leg locks so his opponent needs to watch out for those highlight reel finishes!
Beating Dillashaw can keep him on track for the Sterling rematch, defeat would be a disaster for him. Why not have a bet on this fight and consider using the matched betting technique.
T.J. Dillashaw makes his return to the octagon after completing his drugs suspension. The two-time former UFC Bantamweight champion is now aged 35 and he needs a win in this bout. Sadly, due to a cut sustained in training for the bout the fight is going to have to be pushed back to accommodate the recovery.
Dillashaw made his UFC debut in 2011, taking part in the Ultimate Fighter 14 Bantamweight tournament but losing to John Dodson. He fought himself into title contention and faced Renan Barao for the UFC Bantamweight title in May 2014.
Dillashaw was the big outsider but won the fight and the title. It was named the upset of the year. He held the title until January 2016 when being beaten by Dominik Cruz on a split decision.
November 2017 saw him start a second title reign with a win over Cody Garbrandt and won a rematch the following year. However, he failed a drugs test after that defence and in March 2019, he vacated the title.
More problems followed in 2019 when bidding to win the Flyweight title from Henry Cejudo. He failed pre and post match drugs tests. Dillashaw lost that fight in just 32 seconds and was later given a two-year suspension dated back to 2019. He has apologized for his mistakes and the poor performance in his last fight.
Now he makes his return but what has he left to offer? He’s more a wrestler, while Sandhagen is a striker. Dillashaw has been out of action for two years, the question is what does he have left to offer. It’d be a major upset if he can beat his opponent and get back into title contention, Sandhagen looks the winner here.
