UFC Fight Night: Sandhagen vs. Dillashaw betting odds, preview, and pick
July 19th, 2021
Cory Sandhagen faces T.J. Dillashaw in the main event of UFC Fight Night on Saturday, July 24. This crossroads clash is sure to deliver, and we have the betting odds and preview you need before both fighters enter the octagon.
Sandhagen is a physical freak
Sandhagen has served as the embodiment of Father Time for the long-toothed veterans of bantamweight for some time now, and he hopes to make Dillashaw his next conquest. In his last outing, Sandhagen leveled Frankie Edgar with a flying knee to make it two stoppages in a row since a first round submission loss to Aljamain Sterling at UFC 250.
"The Sandman" is one of bantamweight’s most aggressive strikers, and is a physical anomaly in the weight class. Standing at 5’11” and with the tendency to land some frightening kicks, Sandhagen is a sharp competitor who stands as one of the division’s best.
Cory Sandhagen vs. T.J. Dillashaw tale of the tape
| Cory Sandhagen | vs. | T.J. Dillashaw |
|---|
14-2 | Record | 16-4 |
29 | Age | 35 |
5'11" | Height | 5'6" |
70" | Reach | 68" |
4-1 | Last 5 Fights | 4-1 |
Dillashaw returning after two-year PED suspension
Dillashaw is making his UFC return after a two-year suspension for testing positive for banned substances, and even saw this fight delayed after suffering an injury during training. The last time we saw Dillashaw, the former two-time bantamweight champion was blasted out by Henry Cejudo in an ill-fated attempt to win the flyweight title.
At his peak, Dillashaw could bang with the best of them and could fall back on his excellent wrestling skills if needed. How the 35-year-old disgraced ex-champ will look after such a long layoff is anyone’s guess. From a style perspective, Dillashaw may have picked the worst possible matchup for himself.
Sandhagen will decimate a rusty Dillashaw
Fighters who are coming off of PED suspensions seldom look as good as they used to, and that's especially true for those who have been MIA for two years like Dillashaw. He’s going up against an opponent who can close the distance, hit hard, and dictate the pace of the bout.
Dillashaw’s best chance would be on the ground, but questions remain about his cardio and ability to take a shot from a big hitter like Sandhagen.
While credit is due to Dillashaw for taking a tough fight in his return bout, a combination of ring rust and Sandhagen’s physical attributes all but ensure a short night. Expect Sandhagen to dominate, and to drop and stop Dillashaw by fight’s end.
UFC Fight Night pick: Sandhagen
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