1. Overview
Cory James Sandhagen (born April 20, 1992) is an American professional mixed martial arts fighter currently competing in the Bantamweight division of the Ultimate Fighting Championship (UFC). Known for his dynamic striking and strategic approach inside the octagon, Sandhagen has also made significant contributions beyond his athletic career. He holds a degree in psychology and has actively engaged in community work, including coaching martial arts and supporting vulnerable children at a trauma center. As of August 6, 2024, he is ranked #4 in the UFC bantamweight rankings, reflecting his consistent presence among the elite in his division.
2. Early Life and Background
Cory Sandhagen's personal background and formative years were shaped by his upbringing in Aurora, Colorado, and his early engagement in both academic pursuits and martial arts.
2.1. Childhood and Education
Born and raised in Aurora, Colorado, Cory Sandhagen attended Smoky Hill High School. During his time at Smoky Hill, he was a member of the basketball team, a sport he had actively played since his youth. Beyond his athletic endeavors in high school, Sandhagen pursued higher education, graduating from the University of Colorado Boulder with a degree in psychology. This academic background has influenced his holistic approach to both his fighting career and his personal life.
2.2. Early Martial Arts Training
Sandhagen began his martial arts journey as a child, initially focusing on taekwondo. However, due to restrictions on punching in his taekwondo instruction, he transitioned to boxing to further develop his striking skills. He then expanded his training into kickboxing, where he achieved considerable success, winning multiple titles from the World Kickboxing Association (WKA), including a prestigious WKA world title. His deep interest in combat sports began in childhood, ultimately leading him to transition into mixed martial arts. He also holds a brown belt in Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu.
3. Mixed Martial Arts Career
Cory Sandhagen's professional mixed martial arts journey began in 2015, marked by a progression through various organizations before his notable rise in the Ultimate Fighting Championship.
3.1. Early Career
Sandhagen commenced his professional career in 2015. His debut for Legacy Fighting Alliance (LFA) occurred on February 24, 2017, at LFA 5, where he faced Jamall Emmers and lost the bout via unanimous decision. Undeterred, he quickly rebounded. His next fight was on October 17, 2017, at LFA 24 against Luiz Antonio Lobo Gavinho, which he won by first-round TKO. Sandhagen's final appearance for Legacy Fighting Alliance took place on January 19, 2018, at LFA 31, where he defeated Jose Aguayo via first-round TKO.
3.2. Ultimate Fighting Championship (UFC)
Sandhagen made his debut in the Ultimate Fighting Championship in 2018, rapidly ascending through the ranks of the bantamweight division with a series of significant victories and competitive bouts.
3.2.1. 2018
Sandhagen made his highly anticipated UFC debut on January 27, 2018, at UFC on Fox: Jacaré vs. Brunson 2, facing Austin Arnett. He secured a victory via second-round TKO, making a strong initial impression in the promotion. His next bout was against Iuri Alcantara at UFC Fight Night: Gaethje vs. Vick on August 25, 2018. Despite navigating a challenging moment where Alcantara secured an Armbar submission attempt, Sandhagen demonstrated remarkable resilience and ultimately won the fight via second-round TKO through a barrage of punches. This compelling performance earned him the "Fight of the Night" award, highlighting his exciting fighting style.
3.2.2. 2019
In 2019, Sandhagen's career continued its upward trajectory. He was initially scheduled to face Thomas Almeida at UFC Fight Night: Cejudo vs. Dillashaw in January. However, the opponent was later changed to John Lineker, who then withdrew due to a rib injury. Sandhagen ultimately fought promotional newcomer Mario Bautista at the event on January 19, winning via first-round Armbar submission. The bout with Lineker was rescheduled and took place on April 27, 2019, at UFC Fight Night: Jacaré vs. Hermansson. In a closely contested fight, Sandhagen secured a split decision victory over the seasoned Lineker. He continued his winning streak by facing Raphael Assunção on August 17, 2019, at UFC 241, where he earned a unanimous decision victory, further solidifying his position in the bantamweight division.
3.2.3. 2020
The year 2020 presented both challenges and significant victories for Sandhagen. A scheduled bantamweight bout against Frankie Edgar on January 25, 2020, at UFC Fight Night 166 was canceled when Edgar was moved to another fight. Sandhagen then faced Aljamain Sterling on June 6, 2020, at UFC 250 in a bout confirmed by UFC President Dana White as a bantamweight title eliminator. Sandhagen suffered his first UFC loss in this fight, submitting to a rear-naked choke in the first round. He rebounded powerfully on October 11, 2020, headlining UFC Fight Night 179 against Marlon Moraes. Sandhagen delivered a stunning performance, winning the fight via second-round technical knockout after landing a spinning wheel kick followed by punches. This impressive victory earned him the "Performance of the Night" award.
3.2.4. 2021
2021 was a pivotal year for Sandhagen, featuring one of the most memorable knockouts in UFC history. On February 6, he faced Frankie Edgar at UFC Fight Night 184. Sandhagen secured a spectacular knockout victory with a flying knee just 28 seconds into the first round, a finish that became the second-fastest flying-knee knockout in UFC history. This performance earned him another "Performance of the Night" bonus. He was then scheduled to fight former UFC Bantamweight Champion T.J. Dillashaw on May 8, but the bout was postponed when Dillashaw suffered a cut in training. The highly anticipated matchup was rescheduled and headlined UFC on ESPN: Sandhagen vs. Dillashaw on July 24, 2021. Sandhagen lost the close fight via split decision, though 17 out of 23 media outlets scored the bout in his favor. Later that year, on October 30, Sandhagen stepped in as a late replacement for Aljamain Sterling to face Petr Yan for the Interim UFC Bantamweight Championship at UFC 267. Despite a high-level striking exchange, Sandhagen lost the bout via unanimous decision, but the fight was recognized with the "Fight of the Night" award.
3.2.5. 2022
In 2022, Sandhagen continued to face top competition. He fought Song Yadong on September 17, 2022, at UFC Fight Night 210. Sandhagen won the fight via technical knockout in the fourth round, after the ringside doctor stopped the fight due to a severe cut sustained by Yadong from an elbow strike.
3.2.6. 2023
Sandhagen's 2023 campaign showcased his strategic prowess and resilience. He was initially slated to face Marlon Vera on February 18, 2023, but the bout was rebooked for March 25 at UFC on ESPN 43. Sandhagen secured a split decision victory over Vera, a decision that was largely contested by media outlets, as all 24 scoring journalists saw the fight in Sandhagen's favor, indicating a clear dominant performance on his part. He was then scheduled for a high-profile matchup against Umar Nurmagomedov on August 5, 2023, at UFC on ESPN 50. However, Nurmagomedov withdrew due to a shoulder injury in mid-July and was replaced by Rob Font in a catchweight bout at 140 lb (140 lb). Sandhagen won the fight via unanimous decision, later revealing that he had torn his right triceps during the first round of the fight, undergoing surgery on August 23. This demonstrated his ability to adapt and secure victory even while facing significant injury.
3.2.7. 2024
Sandhagen's return to the octagon in 2024 saw him face Umar Nurmagomedov on August 3, 2024, at UFC on ABC: Sandhagen vs. Nurmagomedov. This fight was a bantamweight title eliminator. Sandhagen ultimately lost the fight by unanimous decision after a five-round contest.
3.2.8. 2025
Looking ahead, 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.
4. Personal Life and Other Activities
Beyond his professional mixed martial arts career, Cory Sandhagen maintains a committed personal life and engages in significant community-focused activities. He is married to Erica, whom he wed in September 2023.
Sandhagen is deeply involved in his community, extending his efforts beyond the competitive cage. He has worked part-time at a trauma center dedicated to supporting children who have experienced abuse and neglect, demonstrating a profound commitment to vulnerable populations. In addition to his direct work with children, Sandhagen also contributes to the martial arts community by teaching mixed martial arts classes as a coach at High Altitude Martial Arts in Aurora, Colorado. This multifaceted engagement reflects his dedication to personal growth and social contribution.
5. Championships and Achievements
Cory Sandhagen has accumulated numerous titles and accolades throughout his professional mixed martial arts career, reflecting his consistent excellence in the sport.
- Ultimate Fighting Championship (UFC)
- Fight of the Night (Two times): vs. Iuri Alcantara and Petr Yan
- Performance of the Night (Two times): vs. Marlon Moraes and Frankie Edgar
- Second fastest flying-knee finish in UFC history (0:28): vs. Frankie Edgar
- UFC Honors Awards
- 2021: President's Choice Fight of the Year Nominee (vs. Petr Yan)
- UFC.com Awards
- 2019: Ranked #6 Submission of the Year (vs. Mario Bautista)
- 2021: Ranked #4 Fight of the Year (vs. Petr Yan), Ranked #3 Knockout of the Year (vs. Frankie Edgar) & Ranked #9 Fight of the Year (vs. T.J. Dillashaw)
- Sparta Combat League
- SCL Featherweight Championship (One time; former)
- MMAjunkie.com
- 2021 February Knockout of the Month (vs. Frankie Edgar)
- 2021 July Fight of the Month (vs. TJ Dillashaw)
- Cageside Press
- 2021 Knockout of the Year (vs. Frankie Edgar)
- Combat Press
- 2021 Knockout of the Year (vs. Frankie Edgar)
- World Kickboxing Association (WKA)
- WKA World Title
- Martial Arts Ranking
- Brown belt in Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu
6. Mixed Martial Arts Record
| Res. | Record | Opponent | Method | Event | Date | Round | Time | Location | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Scheduled | Deiveson Figueiredo | UFC Fight Night 258 | May 3, 2025 | ||||||
| Loss | 17-5 | Umar Nurmagomedov | Decision (unanimous) | UFC on ABC: Sandhagen vs. Nurmagomedov | August 3, 2024 | 5 | 5:00 | Abu Dhabi, United Arab Emirates | UFC Bantamweight title eliminator. |
| Win | 17-4 | Rob Font | Decision (unanimous) | UFC on ESPN: Sandhagen vs. Font | August 5, 2023 | 5 | 5:00 | Nashville, Tennessee, United States | Catchweight (140 lb (140 lb)) bout. |
| Win | 16-4 | Marlon Vera | Decision (split) | UFC on ESPN: Vera vs. Sandhagen | March 25, 2023 | 5 | 5:00 | San Antonio, Texas, United States | |
| Win | 15-4 | Song Yadong | TKO (doctor stoppage) | UFC Fight Night: Sandhagen vs. Song | September 17, 2022 | 4 | 5:00 | Las Vegas, Nevada, United States | |
| Loss | 14-4 | Petr Yan | Decision (unanimous) | UFC 267 | October 30, 2021 | 5 | 5:00 | Abu Dhabi, United Arab Emirates | For the interim UFC Bantamweight Championship. Fight of the Night. |
| Loss | 14-3 | T.J. Dillashaw | Decision (split) | UFC on ESPN: Sandhagen vs. Dillashaw | July 24, 2021 | 5 | 5:00 | Las Vegas, Nevada, United States | |
| Win | 14-2 | Frankie Edgar | KO (flying knee) | UFC Fight Night: Overeem vs. Volkov | February 6, 2021 | 1 | 0:28 | Las Vegas, Nevada, United States | Performance of the Night. |
| Win | 13-2 | Marlon Moraes | TKO (spinning wheel kick and punches) | UFC Fight Night: Moraes vs. Sandhagen | October 10, 2020 | 2 | 1:03 | Abu Dhabi, United Arab Emirates | Performance of the Night. |
| Loss | 12-2 | Aljamain Sterling | Submission (rear-naked choke) | UFC 250 | June 6, 2020 | 1 | 1:28 | Las Vegas, Nevada, United States | UFC Bantamweight title eliminator. |
| Win | 12-1 | Raphael Assunção | Decision (unanimous) | UFC 241 | August 17, 2019 | 3 | 5:00 | Anaheim, California, United States | |
| Win | 11-1 | John Lineker | Decision (split) | UFC Fight Night: Jacaré vs. Hermansson | April 27, 2019 | 3 | 5:00 | Sunrise, Florida, United States | |
| Win | 10-1 | Mario Bautista | Submission (armbar) | UFC Fight Night: Cejudo vs. Dillashaw | January 19, 2019 | 1 | 3:31 | Brooklyn, New York, United States | |
| Win | 9-1 | Iuri Alcântara | TKO (punches) | UFC Fight Night: Gaethje vs. Vick | August 25, 2018 | 2 | 1:01 | Lincoln, Nebraska, United States | Return to Bantamweight. Fight of the Night. |
| Win | 8-1 | Austin Arnett | TKO (punches) | UFC on Fox: Jacaré vs. Brunson 2 | January 27, 2018 | 2 | 3:48 | Charlotte, North Carolina, United States | |
| Win | 7-1 | José Aguayo | TKO (knee and elbows) | LFA 31 | January 19, 2018 | 1 | 1:07 | Phoenix, Arizona, United States | |
| Win | 6-1 | Luiz Antônio Lobo Gavinho | TKO (punches) | LFA 24 | October 13, 2017 | 1 | 3:00 | Phoenix, Arizona, United States | |
| Loss | 5-1 | Jamall Emmers | Decision (unanimous) | LFA 5 | February 24, 2017 | 3 | 5:00 | Broomfield, Colorado, United States | |
| Win | 5-0 | Clay Wimer | Decision (unanimous) | RFA 43 | September 9, 2016 | 3 | 5:00 | Broomfield, Colorado, United States | |
| Win | 4-0 | Josh Huber | Decision (unanimous) | Sparta Combat League 50 | July 16, 2016 | 3 | 5:00 | Castle Rock, Colorado, United States | Won the SCL Featherweight Championship. |
| Win | 3-0 | Dalton Goddard | Submission (triangle choke) | Paramount MMA 2016 | May 15, 2016 | 1 | 3:38 | Denver, Colorado, United States | |
| Win | 2-0 | Andrew Tenneson | Decision (unanimous) | RFA 34 | January 15, 2016 | 3 | 5:00 | Broomfield, Colorado, United States | Featherweight debut. |
| Win | 1-0 | Bruce Sessman | Submission (rear-naked choke) | FTW: Prize Fighting Championship 9 | May 30, 2015 | 1 | 1:16 | Williston, North Dakota, United States | Bantamweight debut. |