Getty Images
Cory Sandhagen gave Marlon Vera greater than he may deal with in the primary occasion of UFC Fight Night in San Antonio. Sandhagen offered a puzzle that Vera merely could not clear up within the 25 minutes allotted to them within the Lone Star State.
Vera usually falls behind in early rounds whereas making assessments on one of the best ways to interrupt via his opponent’s defenses. Sandhagen blended head motion, lateral motion, feints, various strikes and takedown makes an attempt to forestall Vera from making clear reads. Sandhagen discovered a stunning quantity of success along with his wrestling within the first two rounds. It was a clever technique in opposition to a historically sluggish starter. The period of time each fighters spent on the toes within the early parts of the struggle stripped Vera of the chance to collect essential intel for the later rounds.
“That’s the way you beat Chito,” Sandhagen stated throughout his post-fight interview with UFC commentator Michael Bisping.
Vera was audibly and visibly irritated by Sandhagen’s elusiveness within the closing moments of Round 4. “Chito” unleashed a late flurry in Round 5, nevertheless it wasn’t sufficient to cease Sandhagen from successful a head-scratching break up resolution. One choose scored all 5 rounds in favor of Sandhagen, but one choose favored Vera three-to-two. An inexpensive 49-46 scorecard for Sandhagen averted travesty.
Sandhagen will doubtless usurp Vera’s No. 3 spot within the UFC’s bantamweight rankings. With UFC bantamweight champion Aljamain Sterling combating Henry Cejudo and Sean O’Malley ready within the wings, Sandhagen known as for a title eliminator in opposition to Merab Dvalishvili.
“I’d really feel so slimy if I requested for a title shot earlier than Merab. Merab is an absolute animal and I respect him a ton. I need that primary spot. I’ve a line that is somewhat embarrassing.” Sandhagen stated post-fight. “Merab, you are hungry. Well, I’ve received one thing so that you can eat and it do not style good!”
