TJ Dillashaw Earns a Split-Decision Win Over Cory Sandhagen

TJ Dillashaw defeated Cory Sandhagen with a split decision last night, making his comeback following a two-year ban one of the best ever.

The two-time UFC bantamweight champion went through hell to earn this victory, as he and Sandhagen posted one of the best fights so far this year.

In the end, the judges scored like this. Sal D’Amato 48-47 for Dillashaw, Junichiro Kamijo 48-47 for Dillashaw, and Derek Cleary 48-47 for Cory Sandhagen.

How did Dillashaw just eat that?! 🤯 #UFCVegas32 pic.twitter.com/T7LVY5qOzp

— ESPN MMA (@espnmma) July 25, 2021

Dillashaw endured a fierce beating from the other side, earning several cuts, one on his forehead and an injured knee. Sandhagen tried to lock it in the opening round, and since then, Dillashaw had some problems with it.

The 35-year old absorbed more significant strikes 128, while inflicting 110, and 110 of those strikes Sandhagen sent finished on the rival’s head. However, Dillashaw was aiming mostly for Sandman’s legs, where he recorded 41 strikes, which slowed down Sandhagen in the latter part of the match.

Also, Dillashaw spent more time in control, being aggressive all the time, despite all the problems, especially the blood pouring from a nasty cut.

He would earn that in the second round after Sandhagen’s flying knee. The doctors had to stop the bout to inspect the injury, but after a brief check-up, we’ve seen a green light and the fight went on.

The two know one another very well, as they used to be training partners in the Elevation Fight Team, years ago, and that is why last night’s match turned out to be so good.

“To me, this was the title fight. Cory Sandhagen is legit. I’ve trained with him. I knew he was that good before he knew he was that good,” the winner said about his rival.

Dillashaw didn’t have any ring rust at all, which was something that many expected to see. Yet, his movement inside the octagon and clinch handling was impeccable. On the other side, SAndhagen’s output was impressive as usual, and he didn’t allow the rival to have one moment to relax. It is safe to say that this bout could have gone either way.

After it ended, Dillashaw immediately called out Aljamain Sterlin and Petr Yan, saying that whoever comes out as the winner from their title-bout wouldn’t be a problem for him.

“Daddy’s getting that belt easy. Easy money for that belt right now.”

Wild end to the third round 😬 #UFCVegas32 pic.twitter.com/YgAdqz8ehw

— ESPN MMA (@espnmma) July 25, 2021

This is the first fight, and the first win for Dillashaw since his loss to Henry Cejudo in the UFC flyweight title shot back in 2019. After that bout, he was suspended for two years due to doping usage.

On the other side, Sandhagen suffered a defeat after two spectacular victories, one against Marlon Moraes and the other vs. Frankie Edgar. Both were equally impressive, ending with highlight-reel KOs.

He believes that the decision went the wrong way tonight.

“I think I was landing the way cleaner shots. I was picking him apart. I guess I should’ve done more. That’s on me,” Sandhagen said.

We now await to see what happens next, as Sterling and Yan still haven’t arranged their second fight. Some suggest that the UFC plans to organize their clash in Abu Dhabi on October 30, but nothing is still confirmed. Sterling took the title from Yan following the Russian’s disqualification in that first clash.