Cory Sandhagen Understands Boos, Defends Game Plan vs. Rob Font at UFC Nashville

[Kowboy On Sherdog]

UFC NEWS & FEATURES
Cory Sandhagen Understands Boos, Defends Game Plan vs. Rob Font at UFC Nashville
FacebookTwitterRedditWhatsApp

TRISTEN CRITCHFIELD AUG 6, 2023 COMMENTS
Things went exactly according to plan for Cory Sandhagen against Rob Font in the UFC on ESPN 50 main event.

Sandhagen relied on takedowns and suffocating top control to cruise to a five-round verdict in their 140-pound catchweight clash at Bridgestone Arena in Nashville on Saturday night. Those in attendance were not pleased with the performance, and while Sandhagen understands the angst, it was far more important for him to earn his third straight UFC victory.

“That was the game plan,” Sandhagen said at the post-fight press conference. “I thought that honestly he would have made some pretty good adjustments and stuff a couple of them later in the fight. Font doesn’t wrestle that good. He doesn’t have an immediate wrestler reaction. He doesn’t get up very well. The only way that he really gets up is on that underhook, and if I just shut that down, he’s not going to really get up.

“I know that there’s lots of boos and it’s not the most exciting win for the people in the crowd. But I [swept the scorecards against] the No. 7 guy in the world … I’m on my way to being one of the best mixed martial artists in the world. I want to be able to outwrestle the strikers and I want to be able to outstrike the wrestlers. That’s my path. That’s what I’m trying to do. I’m trying to be the best in the world, and I think I showed tonight that if you’re going to think that it’s just going to be a striking match, we’re wrestling.”

Sandhagen was originally slated to face the highly-touted Umar Nurmagomedov in the UFC Nashville headliner, but when Nurmagomedov withdrew, Font agreed to step in on short notice. In the aftermath, Sandhagen credited Font for stepping up while pointing out that it was a difficult matchup for him — even if the new opponent didn’t generate quite the excitement that a fight against Nurmagomedov might have.

“I think honestly, you can’t sleep on Font,” Sandhagen said. “No one knows how good Umar is. He’s played up like he’s a really phenomenal fighter. He’s definitely real good. So is everyone else in the 135 division, you know? I didn’t buy into the whole ‘Umar’s this next phenom’ thing, not because I don’t think that Umar is good, because I know he’s good. But you don’t know until you’re a little bit of a ways into this career.”



Continue Reading
https://www.sherdog.com/news/news/C...Game-Plan-vs-Rob-Font-at-UFC-Nashville-190685

 

[Only Here for Attachments]

 

[IloveTHIS]

TL;FS

"Fight sucked"

 

[Get To Da Choppa]

“I think honestly, you can’t sleep on Font,” Sandhagen said.

All the people watching were definitely sleeping by the 3rd round

 

[JustBleed69]

It was a smart decision by Sandhagen to play it safe with it being a short notice fight, however it was undeniably a terrible fight entertainment wise.

Hopefully this was just a one off for Cory and he doesn't go full Jon Fitch .

 

[Kowboy On Sherdog]

All the people watching were definitely sleeping by the 3rd round

 

[Barteh]

Based on the comments I've read today I'm glad I didn't watch the fight at all.

 

[CerebralKnievel]

I always start events 40-60 minutes after they've started - specifically, so I have some buffer room to fast forward snoozers like this fight.

 

[JustBreed]

More like Snory Fan-ragin', amirite?

 

[sdpdude9]

It’s kinda insane the amount of hate dude is getting for a single grappling heavy fight.

 

[Dreyga Hates You Sherbums]

It’s unfair to expect every single fight of his to be a barn burner. He’s given us plenty of wars and highlight reel KOs

He did what he had to win this time out. No shame in that

Fans should be more understanding

 

[Oscar Madison]

What about his injury excuse?

Sounds like he's gonna say whatever to make it seem OK --

but he did get the W, so hope he gets booked on the Prelims for Fight Night Boise...

 

[ChimRichalds]

 

[AmbassadorFright]

Underwhelming, unimpressive win over a mid level fighter who took the fight in very short notice. Feed him to Cejudo and be done with it

 

[b00tysweat]

50-45 the #7 guy in the world in late notice.
RESPECT

 

[Joshuaace]

Wins the fight with skills and fight IQ that he has developed since being in the UFC.....gets shit on by Guys sitting on the Couch.

 

[HuskySamoan]

Wins the fight with skills and fight IQ that he has developed since being in the UFC.....gets shit on by Guys sitting on the Couch.

It was boring af tho. Honestly pulled it up on my phone while I was out when I had some spare moments, it convenient sucked so much I just turned it off. Cory couldn't seem to or didn't want to pass half guard, he wasn't landing many strikes at all, he wasn't threatening submissions, there weren't many if any high impact takedowns, the only threats of submissions felt like they came from Font in the first unless I forgot a choke attempt by Cory. All the blame in my opinion should go to Font though, as the fighter losing, being controlled...it's his obligation to make something happen, not Cory's. That said, Cory should have tried to do a bit more, this win and the Chito win kinda set his brand, earning potential and likelihood of a title shot back whether we like it or not, the company put him in two main events and back to back times he stunk it up.

 

[Luckyme]

It’s unfair to expect every single fight of his to be a barn burner. He’s given us plenty of wars and highlight reel KOs

He did what he had to win this time out. No shame in that

Fans should be more understanding

Didn't he injure his tricep after the 1st round? If so, it would make sense why he kept resorting to wrestling.

Also, Font's TDD was terrible. Cory was taking him down at will and Font kept trying that same unsuccessful sweep. If the TDs are coming so easy, why risk it standing up with Font?

 

[NoSmilez]

I think it was really smart of him but the fight was a bit boring.

 

[Kowboy On Sherdog]

He just needed to Fill the Cage with Uppercuts