Cory Sandhagen tags Marlon Vera during their bantamweight bout in the main event of UFC Fight Night in San Antonio, Texas. Photo from UFC Twitter
Cory Sandhagen was dominant in a curious split-decision victory over Marlon Vera in their bantamweight main event on Saturday at UFC Fight Night in San Antonio, Texas.
Sandhagen landed 187 total strikes to Vera’s 73 in taking two of the cards, 50-45 and 49-46. One judge gave the fight to Vera, 48-47.
Sandhagen landed 128 signature strikes to 58 for Vera and also had three takedowns.
“[The strategy was to] win the early rounds and then know he was going to come at me,” Sandhagen said.
“I knew that was going to happen. So, I took him down early and moved my ass around in [Rounds] 3, 4 and 5. That’s how you beat Chito. Chito is a good fighter.”