Bantamweight

Cory Sandhagen

UFC 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, 90 Boxing, and an 87 Overall score.

Peak ratings

Boxing89
Kickboxing92
Wrestling82
BJJ85
Strength74
Durability86
Cardio92
Fight IQ90

By edition

2018–2019Overall 85
Boxing88
Kickboxing91
Wrestling80
BJJ84
Strength74
Durability85
Cardio92
Fight IQ88

Sandhagen established himself as a contender across 2018 and 2019, submitting Iuri Alcantara in a comeback bout, knocking out Mario Bautista, 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.

2020–2022Overall 87
Boxing89
Kickboxing92
Wrestling82
BJJ85
Strength74
Durability86
Cardio92
Fight IQ90

Following a submission loss to Aljamain Sterling, Sandhagen knocked out Marlon Moraes via spinning wheel kick on Fight Island and Frankie Edgar with a flying knee in 28 seconds, 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.

2023–2024Overall 87
Boxing90
Kickboxing92
Wrestling84
BJJ86
Strength75
Durability86
Cardio93
Fight IQ91

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 outwrestling Rob Font in Nashville at UFC on ESPN 50. His grappling threat, positional riding, and tactical acumen are reflected in an 90 Boxing and 91 Fight IQ.

2025–presentOverall 87
Boxing90
Kickboxing92
Wrestling84
BJJ86
Strength75
Durability86
Cardio93
Fight IQ91

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 our own, built from independent research and from how Cory Sandhagen is regarded by the MMA community, with the EA Sports UFC games used only as a starting baseline for the scale. They are unofficial and do not constitute an assessment of Cory Sandhagen's real-world abilities. See the disclaimer below.