Cory Sandhagen
Active 2018–present · rated in 4 editions · peak overall 87.0
Scouting report
Striking angles, flying knees, and stance switching make Cory "The Sandman" Sandhagen a dangerous bantamweight striker. Born in Aurora, Colorado and training out of Elevation Fight Team in Denver, Sandhagen scored knockouts against Marlon Moraes and Frankie Edgar while showcasing wrestling against Rob Font. His striking is backed by a 92 Kickboxing rating, 89 Boxing, and an 87 Overall score.
Peak ratings
By edition
Sandhagen established himself as a contender across 2018 and 2019, stopping Iuri Alcantara, submitting Mario Bautista with an armbar, and outpointing top-ranked John Lineker and Raphael Assuncao at UFC 241 in Anaheim. His striking angles, flying knees, jab, and pace are reflected in an 88 Boxing and 92 Cardio rating across these bantamweight fights.
Following a submission loss to Aljamain Sterling, Sandhagen stopped Marlon Moraes with a spinning wheel kick and punches on Fight Island and Frankie Edgar with a flying knee in round one, before dropping a split decision to TJ Dillashaw and an interim title bout to Petr Yan. His striking variety and kick setups justify an 89 Boxing and 92 Kickboxing.
Sandhagen put together a three-fight winning streak across 2022 and 2023, stopping Song Yadong via doctor stoppage TKO, defeating Marlon Vera over five rounds in San Antonio, and outpointing Rob Font in Nashville at UFC on ESPN 50. His grappling threat, positional riding, and tactical acumen are reflected in a 90 Boxing and 91 Fight IQ.
Cory Sandhagen, the Colorado kickboxer who throws a flying knee
Cory Sandhagen grew up in Aurora, Colorado, started with taekwondo, and switched to kickboxing when his instructors would not allow punches. He won several WKA titles, including a world title, and graduated from the University of Colorado Boulder with a psychology degree. His 2021 knockout of Frankie Edgar took 28 seconds.
Sandhagen, one rating at a time
Boxing. High. He stopped Marlon Moraes in round two in 2020.
Kickboxing. Tied for his best. His kickboxing background shows up in the flying knee that finished Edgar in the first round.
Wrestling. Good enough. He beat Raphael Assuncao by decision in 2019.
BJJ. Real. He submitted Mario Bautista in the first round in 2019, and Aljamain Sterling submitted him in 2020.
Strength. His lowest number. His two losses to Aljamain Sterling and Merab Dvalishvili came against grapplers.
Durability. Solid. He tore his right triceps against Rob Font in round one in 2023 and still won the decision.
Cardio. Tied for his best. He fought Petr Yan for five rounds in 2021 and went the distance with Vera in 2023.
Fight IQ. High. He beat Marlon Vera by split decision even though one judge scored it for Vera.
Kickboxing and cardio tie at 92
The two numbers show why his fights stay competitive. Against Marlon Vera in 2023, he won a split decision that some media scorecards had as more lopsided. Against Petr Yan for the interim title, he took a loss in a fight that earned Fight of the Night. He can keep throwing kicks and knees for the full time.
Strength is where he ranks lowest
At 74, strength is his lowest rating. Aljamain Sterling submitted him in the first round in 2020, and Merab Dvalishvili beat him by decision in a title fight in 2025. Those two losses came against strong grapplers, which is the type of opponent that tests the rest of his game.
Keep exploring
Closest bantamweight profiles to Cory Sandhagen, measured by how near their peak attribute ratings sit across all eight categories.
- Renan Baraobest kickboxing 90 · weakest strength 76
- TJ Dillashawbest cardio 94 · weakest strength 76
- Sean O'Malleybest boxing 94 · weakest strength 74
- Kyler Phillipsbest cardio 88 · weakest strength 74
- Bantamweight division guide: how the whole division rates and who to draft from it.
- Grappling vs striking in the draft: a guide that fits Cory Sandhagen's strongest attribute, Kickboxing.
Draft Cory Sandhagen into your build
Cory Sandhagen enters the pool on any spin landing on bantamweight between 2018 and present. Spin, draft eight attributes, then simulate 25 fights.
Ratings shown are my own estimates, made with AI assistance and informed by how Cory Sandhagen is regarded by the MMA community. They are unofficial and do not constitute an assessment of Cory Sandhagen's real-world abilities. How the ratings are made. See the disclaimer below. Ratings and write-ups by Haaris A. Last reviewed 2026-09-30; spot an error? Tell us. Read our editorial standards.