UFC Vegas 32 Results: TJ Dillashaw Wins Razor-Close Decision Over Cory Sandhagen

By
Dan Doherty
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Cory Sandhagen and TJ Dillashaw, UFC Vegas 32
Cory Sandhagen and T.J. Dillashaw, UFC Vegas 32 Credit: Alex Behunin/Cageside Press

TJ Dillashaw returned in a big way in the main event of UFC Vegas 32, winning a competitive split decision over Cory Sandhagen.

Cory Sandhagen and TJ Dillashaw battled for the next shot at the bantamweight title in the main event of UFC Vegas 32. Sandhagen has recovered from a loss in his last number-one contender bout (which was against current champion Aljamain Sterling) with two huge knockout victories over Marlon Moraes and Frankie Edgar. Dillashaw is returning from a two-year layoff following a failed drug test. He has won four straight bantamweight fights, but his last bout was a loss for the flyweight title against Henry Cejudo.

Dillashaw started the fight with a body kick, then was hit by a right hand. Sandhagen then flew in with a knee that Dillashaw turned into a takedown, but Sandhagen had an inverted triangle to limit any offense on the ground from Dillashaw. The former champion got out and scrambled to his feet. There was a brief clinch battle followed by a right hand from Sandhagen. Dillashaw shot for a takedown that Sandhagen immediately rolled out of. Sandhagen tried the same roll on the next takedown effort, but it failed and Dillashaw took top position. Sandhagen countered with a leg lock attempt and got a reaction out of Dillashaw before the end of the round, as the former champion walked gingerly back to his corner.

Dillashaw immediately shot for a takedown in the second round and Sandhagen fought it off. After a bit of feeling out on the feet, Sandhagen knocked Dillashaw down with a left hand at the end of a lengthy combination. Dillashaw popped back up and ate a huge right hand. The action slowed and a cut above the eye of Dillashaw was checked by the doctor. Dillashaw slowed things down the rest of the way with clinches against the cage.

Sandhagen landed a combination early and Dillashaw clinched up again. Sandhagen separated and landed a slick combo. A right hand down the pipe connected for Sandhagen and that punch was wide open for him afterwards. Combinations were landing with ease for Sandhagen as the right hand was finding the mark every time. Dillashaw rallied with a combination and a takedown attempt after a whiffed wheel kick for Sandhagen. Dillashaw landed a big combination at the end of the round and Sandhagen answered with a right hand at the buzzer.

Dillashaw started the fourth round aggressively, winning the striking exchanges. Dillashaw then utilized a takedown attempt as Sandhagen tried to answer. Sandhagen separated and landed a combination and Dillashaw went right back to the takedown. Dillashaw stayed on Sandhagen throughout the round, not giving him any space to work. Sandhagen had some room at the end of the round, nailing Dillashaw with a spinning backfist at the buzzer.

Dillashaw went kick-heavy with his approach in the final round. A minute and 20 seconds of striking exchanges went by before Dillashaw went for a takedown, getting Sandhagen down briefly. Sandhagen opened the cut of Dillashaw with a big combination and Dillashaw was able to answer. Sandhagen’s success on the feet was adding up so Dillashaw shot for a takedown. Sandhagen got free and both men swung for the fences to close out a competitive five-round main event.

TJ Dillashaw def. Cory Sandhagen by Split Decision (48-47 x2, 47-48)

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