Cory Sandhangen vs. Song Yadong

A Bantamweight Title eliminator contest at UFC Vegas 60

Hey Guys,

Let me just say I’m really looking forwards to top bantamweight talents Cory Sandhangen and Song Yadong in UFC Vegas 60.

Increasingly I find the faster smaller men and women of the UFC more entertaining, tactical and exciting matchups.

These are two of the elite strikers of their division where Bantamweight and Flyweight may be among the most competitive divisions now in the UFC.

The UFC have done a good job at promoting this match via YouTube Videos:

Sandhagen (14-4 MMA, 7-3 UFC) and Yadong (19-6-1 MMA, 8-1-1 UFC) both kept things professional during the staredown yet both are at pivot stages in their careers. Sandhagen has a couple of recent losses to elite competition and Yadong is young and talented but may not be ready for a step-up like this.

Interestingly they both have knockout power and for Bantamweights that’s not all too common.

Song Yadong Career Highlights

Rise of Song Yadong (2 years old video)

Sandhagen is just such a pure martial artist though, I love his movement and the angles he can create.

Sandhagen Career Highlights

He must be pretty motivated as well to end a two fight skid.

Cory has such a respect for the game and such a rational approach to Octagon tactics. His transitions, fluidity and versatility is just such a joy to watch. Meanwhile Song is a potential Superstar for Chinese MMA, and the UFC would likely prefer him to win as the younger more lucrative fighter in the long-term.

It appears as if Sandhagen is now a gatekeeper, though one of a very elite status to be sure.

We sometimes forget Song Yadong is only 24, so he’s in essence one of the pure best young fighters in the entire promotion. That he is essentially fighting someone in the top #5 at such a young age is insane.

His new moniker is the “Kung Fu Kid”. A bit weird to see him in sun glasses for the fighter staredown though.

Since both Cory Sandhangen and Song Yadong have high finishing percentages you got to imagine a stoppage is somewhat likely. The UFC has a bad habit of throwing its young fighters against “lions” a bit too young which we have seen over and over again. The quality of Song’s opponents up to this point has been not that great:

This is also the first time Song Yadong will go the full 5 rounds. But I think it’s a decent headliner on a rather weak card.

Current Bantamweight Rankings 2022

The reality is Jose Aldo, T.J and Font are likely well past their prime, so Yadong Song is actually for his age destined for a title shot certainly potentially sooner rather than later. It may even be his power is too much for Cory Sandhangen, but can he move well enough to actually hit him?

Why Sandhangen is Elite and Underrated

Cory has never been KO-ed and only seems to lose by a close decision. However he’s arguably in the prime of his career at 30 years old, that’s usually around the time an MMA fighter puts things together.

Sandhangen however should not have lost the bout vs. T.J, it really was a judges error. Split decision losses are really a toss up, for instance 17 out of 23 media outlets scored the bout as a win for Sandhangen. The other loss vs. Peter Yan, was a late last minute replacement fight against probably the best pure striker in the division. So in reality both of those losses were more a credit to him than significant setbacks in his career.

By going up against Yadong Song he’s actually doing the promotion yet another favor. It’s doubtful Yadong Song can finish Sandhangen given his defense, footwork, decent chin and control of range. But can Cory outpoint Yadong? It may come down to the championship rounds of rounds 4 and 5.

Cory ‘Sandman’ Sandhagen Highlights (1 Year Ago)

Also on the card highly touted Mexico Lightweight Daniel Zellhuber makes his promotional debut.

I’d actually prefer to see Sandhangen vs. Dominic Cruz and Song vs. Yan stylistically, but this fight should still be a lot of fun. I’m sure in time I’ll indeed get my wish there.

The Flyweights and Bantamweights are just so much fun, and both fighters are very different but effective strikers. Given Sandhangen’s experience I have to give him an edge, but for power I do give Song the edge.

What do you think?