Cory Sandhagen reflects on his recent UFC Nashville win over Rob Font, acknowledging that while the fight may not have been the most entertaining, he believes he made the best decisions given the circumstances. Sandhagen secured a unanimous decision victory over Font in a wrestling-heavy contest, despite receiving boos from the crowd and delivering fewer significant strikes.
Sandhagen revealed that he fought with a fully torn tricep, which he sustained early in the opening round. He is scheduled for surgery to address the injury. Despite the injury, he opted for a grappling-heavy approach to neutralize Font’s strengths and secure the win.
Sandhagen acknowledged the balance between sports and entertainment in the UFC and how his injury influenced his strategy. He explained that he couldn’t afford unnecessary risks due to his compromised state. Additionally, he emphasized that his grappling advantage over Font played a crucial role in his strategy.
He initially prepared to face Umar Nurmagomedov, but when Font stepped in on short notice, Sandhagen honored his commitment and proceeded with the fight, even with his elbow issues.
Sandhagen hoped the fight’s outcome wouldn’t negatively impact his standing in the title chase. He mentioned discussing the situation with Dana White, and White was understanding about Sandhagen’s situation.
He defended his performance, highlighting his victories over Song Yadong and Marlon Vera in his previous fights. He believes that despite the injury and the unconventional circumstances, his dominance over a top fighter like Font should solidify his position as a title contender.
Regarding his recovery, Sandhagen expects to be sidelined for about six months due to surgery. He also addressed the potential changes in the bantamweight division, including Aljamain Sterling’s title defense against Sean O’Malley and the possibility of fighters moving up or down weight classes.