Cory Sandhagen takes on former training partner TJ Dillashaw in a five-round fight at UFC Vegas 32. Dillashaw is coming off a TKO loss against Henry Cejudo in his failed attempt to become a two-weight champion. Cory Sandhagen and TJ Dillashaw trained together during their time with Team Alpha Male.
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However, he hasn’t lost a single fight in the UFC’s bantamweight division ever since his split decision loss to Dominick Cruz. Meanwhile, Cory Sandhagen is coming off back-to-back “Highlight Reel” stoppage wins over former champion Marlon Moraes and Frankie Edgar.
Also Read: TJ Dillashaw Losses: Has Dillashaw Ever Been Knocked Out in His MMA Career?
Cory Sandhagen has never engaged in trash-talking ahead of his fights. However, that’s wasn’t the case this time around after Sandhagen called Dillashaw a “hostile person.”
“Cory’s a great athlete. When I even trained with him, he would come in, I think he was a basketball player before he started becoming the mixed martial arts, right. He was one of those guys, I was impressed with I’m with all the scramble, he’s got great footwork, great distance control. The thing I have seen the best is maybe his confidence.”
“Maybe believe in himself a little bit more. But he is still the same fighter, still the same guy, and I believe that I can come out there and put a beating on him. So I am excited for this Saturday.”
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The Sandman even called out “cheater” TJ Dillashaw for his previously positive drug test for EPO. Meanwhile, Dillashaw has stated that not much has improved in Sandhagen’s game since he last sparred with him and believes that he will finish the bantamweight contender this weekend.
TJ Dillashaw and Cory Sandhagen sparring session
While there’s no outright rivalry between both the fighters, it’s definitely a fight that brings both the former training partners together inside the Octagon. Needless to say, both the fighters are well aware of each other’s fighting style considering they have trained together.
Earlier, Cody Garbrandt had claimed that Cory Sandhagen dominated TJ Dillashaw in the training session, cementing how tough a fighter Sandhagen is inside the cage. Dillashaw shared his thoughts on the same in conversation with Brendan Shaub. Here’s what he had to say.
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“When he came to Alpha Male when I trained for Barao fight, that might have had the worst camp of my life for the Barao fight, ended up having the best fight. I brought Cory out from Colorado to train with me because I knew he was a good striker. Duane knew he was a good striker, brought him out because I needed to push me.”
“Talk about practice all the s*** you want man, all matters when you get out there and prove. Who’s the meaner motherf**** is gonna get the win, you know.”
