Cory Sandhagen

[Wizzlebiz]

Spoken like a point fighter.

With some fighters, the strategy is to put pressure on the opponent, break them down, and wear them down.

That is how it happens "organically," with the type fighters I prefer.

Doesn't mean the pressure-fighter has to be stupid; it just means they know they're the better fighter, with the better chin and better punch, and their pace and pressure will break their "strategic, point-fighting" foe.

On the other hand, the reason why Vera lost to Sandhagen is he didn't put on any pressure. He walked around with a "high guard," and appeared more gun shy than determined.

Vera only put on meaningful pressers the last 10 seconds of the fight. Way too late by then.

I love Khabib as well.

But when standing and striking, hitting and not getting hit is an art. There is trying to force a ko on the feet but again unless you are Francis it's not wise. That's where picking your opponent apart on the feet until the ko comes organically comes into play.

Don't get me wrong. I like a rockem sockem fight as well but there is skill in being a good stand up fighter.

 

[GolovKing]

Cory is a frustrating, athletic guy.

He used to have a killer instinct.

After being fed a straight diet of hard-punching killers (Dillishaw, Yan, Vera), he is now gun-shy and looking to "touch" ... while avoiding contact.

Sickening ... and no longer a fan.

Nah he just knows when and when not to fight like that. Look up when he fought lineker he fought the same way. And against TJ it wasn't really his punching power that was keeping sandhagen at bay, it was TJ's wrestling and overall workrate

 

[Edward Henry Greb]

I love Khabib as well.

But when standing and striking, hitting and not getting hit is an art. There is trying to force a ko on the feet but again unless you are Francis it's not wise. That's where picking your opponent apart on the feet until the ko comes organically comes into play.

Don't get me wrong. I like a rockem sockem fight as well but there is skill in being a good stand up fighter.

A good pressure fighter does both: advances menacingly, firing hard shots, all the while slipping punches.

Considered Mike Tyson in his prime. Always moving his head, bobbing and weaving, giving angles — all the while relentlessly coming forward with the intent to hurt his foe. Always going for the KO.

Only if a person does not have a good chin, or a solid punch, do they have to "hang back and pick apart."

Another example: watch Julio Cesar Chavez in his prime. Classic boxer/puncher.

High guard, perfect stance, crouching when needed, coming forward, working off the jab, slipping/evading/blocking punches all the way — but always moving forward landing power shots of his own.

That's my style preference anyway: the breakdown artist.

Cheers.

 

[KillerIsBack V2]

He should have gotten that decision against Dillashaw in my opinion. I find it hilarious you're talking about a pro fighter's testicles shrinking. So hardcore. So edgy. So... Keyboard Warrior of you. Lol.

In all fairness, today’s fighter’s testies must be shrinking a lot slower.
Fighter’s wives should all pitch in for a big thank you note to USADA. Preferably in a nude album form.

 

[drbolony]

As a fight fan, I'm not looking for "wisdom," I'm looking for a killer who wants to finish.

That's my preference.

Your mileage may vary.

You can be a fan of whoever you want, I'll just add that fighters who aren't hitters only put themselves in bad positions if they try to trade with a hitter. It's basic fight IQ. Not everyone is Perriera who is perfectly comfortable eating shots to return his own, he has a gift, and he knows how to optimize it. Mobile guys optimize theirs.

A good pressure fighter does both: advances menacingly, firing hard shots, all the while slipping punches.

Considered Mike Tyson in his prime. Always moving his head, bobbing and weaving, giving angles — all the while relentlessly coming forward with the intent to hurt his foe. Always going for the KO.

Only if a person does not have a good chin, or a solid punch, do they have to "hang back and pick apart."

Another example: watch Julio Cesar Chavez in his prime. Classic boxer/puncher.

High guard, perfect stance, crouching when needed, coming forward, working off the jab, slipping/evading/blocking punches all the way — but always moving forward landing power shots of his own.

That's my style preference anyway: the breakdown artist.

Cheers.

The guys you're referencing are all power punchers, their styles maximize their gifts. Corey doesn't have that kind of power with his hands, only knees and spinning kicks.

I love Khabib as well.

But when standing and striking, hitting and not getting hit is an art. There is trying to force a ko on the feet but again unless you are Francis it's not wise. That's where picking your opponent apart on the feet until the ko comes organically comes into play.

Don't get me wrong. I like a rockem sockem fight as well but there is skill in being a good stand up fighter.

This. Power punchers have the liberty to stalk and breakdown because of their physical abilities. Fighters without power who try to adopt this style usually get beat up and have varied success: Diaz Bros, my boy Max, Bisping, ect.

 

[Question]

Sean is still a hard fight, but Merab on paper is a nightmare matchup for Cory.
Props to Cory for that callout, it's clear that he wants to show people that he's the best by doing that and Merab's last performance really showed how good he is by how he dominated Yan.

 

[Question]

As a fight fan, I'm not looking for "wisdom," I'm looking for a killer who wants to finish.

That's my preference.

Your mileage may vary.

So by that logic do you find a guy like Derrick Lewis more entertaining than Cory Sandhagen?
Not trying to shit on your preferences, I'm just curious.

 

[Edward Henry Greb]

You can be a fan of whoever you want, I'll just add that fighters who aren't hitters only put themselves in bad positions if they try to trade with a hitter. It's basic fight IQ. Not everyone is Perriera who is perfectly comfortable eating shots to return his own, he has a gift, and he knows how to optimize it. Mobile guys optimize theirs.


The guys you're referencing are all power punchers, their styles maximize their gifts. Corey doesn't have that kind of power with his hands, only knees and spinning kicks.


This. Power punchers have the liberty to stalk and breakdown because of their physical abilities. Fighters without power who try to adopt this style usually get best up and have varied success: Diaz Bros, my boy Max, Bisping, ect.

We agree on most everything.

I prefer power punchers who are hunters.

Cory Sandhagen is more athletic than the Diaz brothers and Holloway, but he doesn't have their chin or balls.

While I admire Sandhagen's athleticism, I find watching him an annoyance over time. Always switching stances, coming in, coming out, trying to be the will-o-the-wisp type of fighter, etc.

I would much rather see fighters like the Diaz brothers, and Holloway, stand their ground and throw down. They implement a volume attack as well, but they are more bad ass in their intentions. While they may not have devastating power, they can knock people out over time, with their sustained volume attack.

They don't move so much, or run so much, so they are not annoying to watch. They're exciting to watch, even if they don't have devastating power, because their bad intentions are pretty clear. Sometimes having a granite jaw is the perfect foil for the power puncher, and fighters like this can be heavier handed foes, through balls, durability, and volume-pressure.

 

[SakurabasEar]

He's solid, should be in the UFC. But I have a hard to time seeing him win against merab, outside of maybe a slight decision

 

[Edward Henry Greb]

So by that logic do you find a guy like Derrick Lewis more entertaining than Cory Sandhagen?
Not trying to shit on your preferences, I'm just curious.

No, because Lewis has no skill and no heart. He quits pretty easy.

He has big power, but is not athletic enough to enjoy watching, and he lacks any sort of stamina or willpower the moment things don't go his way.

He's basically there to collect a paycheck.

I've cited the kind of fighters I like above.