Cory Sandhagen

Cory Sandhagen (born April 20, 1992) is an American professional mixed martial artist.

He currently competes in the Bantamweight division in the Ultimate Fighting Championship (UFC).

A professional competitor since 2015, Sandhagen has also competed for Legacy Fighting Alliance.

As of February 20, 2024, he is #3 in the UFC bantamweight rankings.

Born and raised in Aurora, Colorado, Sandhagen attended Smoky Hill High School where he was on the basketball team – a sport he had been playing from his youth.

Sandhagen began martial arts training as a child, starting with taekwondo.

His instructors didn't allow punches, so Sandhagen switched to boxing.

In kickboxing, Sandhagen won multiple WKA titles including a WKA world title.

He then transitioned to mixed martial arts.

He had been a fan of the sport since his childhood.

Sandhagen graduated from the University of Colorado Boulder with a degree in psychology.

Sandhagen made his Legacy Fighting Alliance debut on February 24, 2017, at LFA 5 against Jamall Emmers, losing the bout via unanimous decision.

His next fight was on October 17, 2017, against Luiz Antonio Lobo Gavinho at LFA 24, which he won via first round TKO.

Sandhagen's final appearance for Legacy Fighting Alliance came on January 19, 2018, at LFA 31, defeating Jose Aguayo via first round TKO.

Sandhagen made his promotional debut at UFC on Fox: Jacaré vs. Brunson 2 on January 27, 2018, against Austin Arnett.

He won the fight via second-round TKO.

His next bout was at UFC Fight Night: Gaethje vs. Vick on August 25, 2018 Iuri Alcantara.

After a back-and-forth affair, he won the fight via second-round TKO.

This fight earned him the Fight of the Night award.

Sandhagen was scheduled to face Thomas Almeida at UFC Fight Night: Cejudo vs. Dillashaw.

However, it was later announced that Sandhagen would face John Lineker at the event instead.

On January 10, Lineker was forced to withdraw from the bout due to a rib injury.

He was replaced by promotional newcomer Mario Bautista.

He won the bout via first round submission.

The bout with Lineker was rescheduled and eventually took place on April 27, 2019, at UFC Fight Night: Jacaré vs. Hermansson.

Sandhagen won the fight via split decision.

Sandhagen faced Raphael Assunção on August 17, 2019, at UFC 241.

He won the bout by unanimous decision.

Sandhagen was scheduled to face Frankie Edgar in a bantamweight bout on January 25, 2020, at UFC Fight Night 166.

However, Edgar was removed from the fight in favor of a bout against Chan Sung Jung a month earlier at UFC Fight Night 165.

In turn, Sandhagen was removed from the card.

Sandhagen faced Aljamain Sterling on June 6, 2020, at UFC 250 in a bout that UFC president Dana White confirmed to be a bantamweight title eliminator.

He lost the bout via submission in the first round.

Sandhagen faced Marlon Moraes on October 11, 2020 at UFC Fight Night 179 in the main event.

Sandhagen won the fight via technical knockout in round two.

This win earned him the Performance of the Night award.

Sandhagen faced Frankie Edgar at UFC Fight Night 184 on February 6, 2021.

He won the fight via knockout by flying knee in the first round.

This win earned him the Performance of the Night award.

Sandhagen was scheduled to face T.J. Dillashaw on May 8, 2021, at UFC on ESPN 24.