Mario Bautista knows exactly what happened the first time he faced Cory Sandhagen, but he doesn’t believe that result will have much bearing on what unfolds at UFC 329.
Bautista reflected on how both fighters have evolved since their first meeting, the lessons he’s learned throughout his UFC career, and the journey from installing auto glass in the Arizona heat to competing in one of the biggest fights of his life.
“I view it as a fight that did happen, but we both have grown from that time. We’re completely different fighters. At the end of the day it is a rematch,” Bautista told reporters including Cageside Press on Wednesday.
“We’re completely different so I’m excited for it.”
Although it’s been years since they first shared the cage, Bautista doesn’t believe Sandhagen has dramatically changed as a fighter. Instead, he sees the biggest difference in the experience Sandhagen has gained competing in big fights.
“I don’t think he’s changed too much actually. I think he’s always been a striker. He’s always going to be a striker, but if he’s grown in any way it’s just in these big moments. The title shot opportunities, the big names, I think that’s how he’s grown,” he said.
Bautista’s life looks nothing like it did when he first entered the UFC. The bantamweight contender reflected on how far he’s come, both inside and outside the cage, since balancing a full-time job with chasing his dream.
“At the time I was working pretty much full-time as an auto glass installer working out in Phoenix during the summers. I was in debt. I was completely different,” he told Cageside Press.
“I wasn’t training as much as I do now, but I’m completely different now. Now I do this full-time. I’ve been doing this full-time for seven years. I’ve had big opportunities, big fights, it’s completely different,” he said.
Bautista believes experience has been one of the biggest differences between the fighter he is today and the one who debuted in the UFC. After weathering both setbacks and big moments inside the octagon, he says he’s far more comfortable on the sport’s biggest stage.
“Just dealing with these high-pressure moments, these big fights, I’ve gone through a few now. When you’re 6-0 and you get tossed in to the UFC like that, it’s a lot to take in,” he said.
“I kind of look back, that’s a lot for a young fighter. Now I’ve gone through so much.”
Watch the entire media day scrum with Mario Bautista above. He faces Cory Sandhagen at UFC 329 on Saturday night.
