Sandhagen is now ranked #3 in the UFC Bantamweight division after dominating Marlon Vera for five rounds as the main event for UFC San Antonio. This leaves Sandhagen in a very strong title shot position. A position he has been looking forward to for quite some time.
The split decision win comes with some controversy; the majority of the UFC fighters and fans would arguably agree that Sandhagen won every single round. Judge Joel Ojeda scored the final three rounds in favor of Vera causing shock around the world. Judging mixed martial arts will never be a perfect science but this particular judging call united the MMA critics, athletes, and fans unanimously. This questionable decision did not stop Sandhagen from getting his hand raised and one step closer to that championship belt.
Cory Sandhagen trains in Denver, Colorado with Elevation Fight Team. He also teaches at High Altitude Martial Arts. Fight fans around the world are itching to come train under Cory, however, he only teaches youth Kickboxing and MMA to pros on the HAMA fight team.Teaching youth Kickboxing is a true passion for Sandhagen and he has a unique ability to really connect with these children.
Coach Cory’s journey to the top of the UFC started right here at the original High Altitude Martial Arts, in Aurora Colorado. He started from the ground up and after years of hard work and dedication he is still climbing to the top, and is closer than ever. UFC stardom has not changed him one bit. He teaches our advanced youth kickboxing class a few days a week and once said, “I don’t know if any of these will ever be in my corner, but I know I’ll be in theirs for sure.” He has proven that time and time again. You can catch Coach Cory at a local Muay Thai event or Kickboxing smoker cornering his students. How cool is that?
During his last camp while preparing for Vera, he said the UFC needed a good guy. I think we can all agree we’d like to see more good guys in the cage as a good role-model for our youth. Sandhagen isn’t keen on trash talking before a fight, he does his talking in the cage displaying his skill and craft, and that is usually more than words could ever say. His kickboxing students admire him as a fighter but even more so as a person. High Altitude Martial Arts is proud of have Cory as part of their family.
What’s next for Coach Cory? He cleverly called out Merab Dvalishvili who ate it up. He said “Merab, you’re hungry, I got something for you to eat and it don’t taste good” The cameras zoomed into Merab’s reaction and it was gold. He’s ready. Sandhagen is ready. We are ready. The stage could possibly be set for the next bantamweight title shot contender fight. What are your thoughts? Was Merab a smart callout for Coach Cory? What will his next steps be after he dominates that fight? Who would you like to see him in the cage with next?
