Thomas Almeida vs. Cory Sandhagen is the latest addition to UFC Brooklyn, which kicks off the ESPN era for the MMA powerhouse.
The UFC’s debut on ESPN+ in January has another addition. Just in time for the holidays (and in time to ensure neither party gets to eat much for them), Thomas Almeida and Cory Sandhagen have joined the UFC Brooklyn card. The inaugural show of the UFC’s new broadcast deal with ESPN, UFC Fight Night 143 (as it falls numerically) takes place at the Barclay’s Center in Brooklyn on January 19.
Almeida announced the bantamweight pairing on social media following MMA scribe Farrah Hannoun previously revealing the news. The Sao Paulo, Brazil native has been with the UFC since 2014, but is 1-3 in his last four, and has suffered two straight defeats. After bouncing back from a loss to Cody Garbrandt with a win over Albert Morales, Almeida has dropped fights to Jimmie Rivera and Rob Font most recently. However, he’ll have been out a full year by the time he steps in the octagon with Cory Sandhagen.
Sandhagen (9-1) is yet to face defeat in the UFC, having won both of his fights in the promotion thus far. The LFA veteran is on a four fight winning streak, and has bested Austin Arnett and Iuri Alcantara so far in his UFC tenure.
UFC on ESPN+ 1 / UFC Fight Night 143 is topped by a flyweight title fight between Henry Cejudo and 135lb champ T.J. Dillashaw, who is dropping weight in an attempt to capture a second title.
