T.J. Dillashaw returns to the Octagon and scores a big win over Cory Sandhagen at UFC Vegas 32, but he ends up sporting a deep, ugly-looking cut
In his first fight in two-and-a-half years, former UFC bantamweight champion T.J. Dillashaw put on a gutty and gritty performance en route to a tight split-decision victory over Cory Sandhagen in the main event of UFC Vegas 32.
The fight was highlight by a cut that opened up around Dillashaw’s eye, one that was re-opened more than once during the bout.
It appeared it could have ended the fight, but the fight was allowed to go on for a full five rounds…and thank goodness it did with how fun and competitive of a fight it ended up being.
See the deep cut that T.J. Dillashaw ended up suffering in his competitive, victorious battle with Cory Sandhagen at UFC Vegas 32
The two were quick to start, with Sandhagen clipping Dillashaw early before turning a flying knee attempt into a tight reverse triangle choke — calling back to Toby Imada’s choke of Jorge Masvidal — but Dillashaw was able to get out of it. Dillashaw got back into the round, however, with grappling control, getting away from Sandhagen’s submission attempts and scoring takedowns.
Dillashaw went in for a takedown early in round two, but Sandhagen defended well. As the second round went on, Sandhagen did a decent job of getting out of Dillashaw’s range and landing leg kicks.
Sandhagen eventually landed upstairs and dropped Dillashaw. Dillashaw was allowed to go on after a doctor checked on a cut that opened up under his eye, but Sandhagen continued to tag the former champion with combinations and a jumping knee.
Dillashaw attempted to clinch up with Sandhagen and cancel out his striking, in addition to landing leg kicks. But it didn’t last for the entire round, as at one point, Sandhagen got his fists going and re-opened the cut, leaving Dillashaw a bloody mess again.
The fourth round saw Dillashaw, again, try to nullify Sandhagen’s offense and get the better of him in grappling. But Sandhagen stayed patient and his strikes overwhelmed Dillashaw, landing some damaging blows, including a late spinning elbow.
After a close, and another highly competitive, final round, the fight went to the judges’ hands. All three scored the fight 48-47, with two giving the nod, and win, to Dillashaw.