Cory Sandhagen’s victory over Song Yadong at UFC Vegas 60 came via doctor’s stoppage. A series of crushing elbows to Yadong’s head opened a massive cut. The gash on Yadong’s eyebrow might have seemed like a huge target to some, but Sandhagen refused to change his gameplan for one simple reason: Yadong, he feels, is “kind of a freaky dude”.
Sandhagen discussed his reaction to the enormous facial wound at the post-fight press conference. “I honestly didn’t think about the cut. I could see the blood going into his mouth. He’s kind of a freaky dude. He’s smiling and enjoying it, getting the blood in his mouth. He’s kind of one of those guys.
Sandhagen: Song Yadong “Is Kind of a Freaky Dude”
I noticed that, but outside of that, it was stick to the game plan and make sure I don’t get my ass knocked out by him.”
Sandhagen has endured a tough time in his last couple of Octagon outings. First was a controversial decision loss to T.J. Dillashaw, which Sandhagen still feels he should have won. Then came an interim title shot, which he lost to Petr Yan. He took a year off and returned to winning ways against Song Yadong, but was none too pleased about how he secured the victory.
“Song is a hell of a fighter. I knew that he was going to be super tough. The guy hits really hard and he defended the takedowns really well. I think I was starting to figure him out as the fight was going on, so I was really looking forward to a fifth round.
I felt good, I felt fresh. I felt like my eyes were still working and my fifth round was going to be good, but I wanted to know that. That was kind of a bummer.
I didn’t win good enough,” Sandhagen said. “But that’s typically how I feel after every win. I TKO’d him so no [I’m not interested in a rematch], not really. I kind of want to fight up in the rankings now.”
Sandhagen, currently ranked fourth in the UFC’s bantamweight division, risked losing his spot to the no.10 ranked Yadong this weekend. Accordingly, he wants a piece of some higher-ranked competition.
“Chito [Vera] or Merab [Dvalishvili] are the obvious names. Both of them pose very different challenges. Two completely opposite fighters almost. I don’t really care. Give me one of them for Christmas.” What do you think is next for Cory Sandhagen? Let us know in the comments.