Cory Sandhagen Dominates Rob Font in UFC Nashville Showdown

Cory Sandhagen Dominates Rob Font in One-Sided Win at UFC Nashville

In an unexpected turn of events, Cory Sandhagen put on a wrestling clinic to dominate Rob Font in the main event of UFC Nashville. The fight, originally expected to be a thrilling showdown between two explosive kickboxers, turned into a one-sided affair as Sandhagen displayed his wrestling prowess.

Sandhagen, ranked fourth in the bantamweight division, executed seven takedowns throughout the fight, controlling the action and accumulating control time. All three judges scored the fight 50-45 in Sandhagen’s favor, cementing his comprehensive victory.

A Departure from Expectations

The crowd at Bridgestone Arena in Nashville did not respond favorably to Sandhagen’s dominant wrestling performance, expressing their disappointment through boos. Even in the final round, when Sandhagen secured his last takedown, the boos intensified, reflecting the crowd’s frustration with the lack of striking exchanges.

Rob Font, initially set to face Song Yadong at UFC 292, stepped in on short notice to face Sandhagen after Yadong withdrew due to injury. Sandhagen himself needed a new opponent after Umar Nurmagomedov pulled out of the fight. With less than three weeks’ notice, the Sandhagen-Font bout was arranged at a catchweight of 140 pounds.

Apologies and Explanations

Apologizing to the disappointed crowd, Sandhagen cited recent elbow issues and a potential triceps tear suffered in the first round as reasons for the lack of excitement in the fight. Speaking to UFC analyst Michael Bisping, Sandhagen described the fight as “technical as hell.”

Despite the dissatisfaction from fans, it is hard to dispute Sandhagen’s dominance. With an impressive total of 19 minutes and 38 seconds of control time in the 25-minute bout, Sandhagen effectively neutralized Font’s striking abilities, limiting him to just nine significant strikes landed.

The Evolution of Sandhagen’s Game

This victory showcased Sandhagen’s growth as a complete fighter, highlighting his wrestling skills as a significant asset. Dominating a top 10 opponent like Font serves as a testament to Sandhagen’s ability to adapt and perform at a high level in different areas of mixed martial arts.

Sandhagen’s eye is now set on the winner of the upcoming title fight between champion Aljamain Sterling and top contender Sean O’Malley at UFC 292 in Boston on August 19. A rematch with Sterling, who submitted Sandhagen in 2020, could provide an opportunity for Sandhagen to showcase his improved wrestling and potentially capture the bantamweight title.

Conclusion

While the crowd expressed their frustration with the deviation from expectations, Cory Sandhagen’s dominant wrestling performance against Rob Font at UFC Nashville cannot be discounted. Sandhagen’s comprehensive victory demonstrated his evolution as a complete fighter, with his wrestling skills proving to be a formidable weapon in the bantamweight division. As he sets his sights on a title shot, Sandhagen’s ability to adapt and control the fight will undoubtedly make him a significant threat to any opponent.