- Cory Sandhagen is the #2 ranked bantamweight in the world.
- T.J. Dillashaw is a former bantamweight champion, coming back from a lengthy suspension.
- Sandhagen is a -200 favorite due to his reach advantage and Dillashaw’s suspension.
LAS VEGAS - Cory Sandhagen is set to face off against T.J. Dillashaw in the main event of the UFC Vegas 32.
Sandhagen is a rangy fighter with an excellent jab, and he’ll have a three inch reach advantage over Dillashaw on the feet. Dillashaw is a former UFC Bantamweight champion, making his return to the sport after a suspension for performance-enhancing drugs.
Dillashaw’s absence combined with Sandhagen’s reach advantage adds up to odds that favor Sandhagen significantly.
Cory Sandhagen vs. T.J. Dillashaw Odds
- Cory Sandhagen -200
- T.J. Dillashaw +160
Sandhagen’s prowess with his jab and his knees is well known by MMA bettors, and he’ll look to keep his distance and pick Dillashaw apart from range.
However, he’s not someone who can’t win by submission - in fact, 21% of his wins are from submissions.
Sandhagen is a dangerous, technical fighter, who deserves to be favored in this matchup over the former bantamweight champ. Dillashaw, for his part, hasn’t fought in two years, and it’s unclear what he’ll look like after serving his suspension for EPO, a performance enhancing drug that helps increase aerobic capacity - effectively boosting stamina.
The old T.J. Dillashaw was a well rounded fighter who could submit his opponents, win by knockout, and fight to dominant decision victories. This uncertainty is reflected in how the online sportsbooks have handicapped the fight itself.
T.J. Dillashaw vs. Cory Sandhagen - Method of Victory Odds
- Cory Sandhagen Wins By (Technical) Decision +330
- T.J. Dillashaw Wins By (Technical) Decision +500
- Cory Sandhagen Wins By KO, TKO Or DQ +125
- T.J. Dillashaw Wins By KO, TKO Or DQ +325
- Cory Sandhagen Wins By Submission +1200
- T.J. Dillashaw Wins By Submission +1000
- Draw Or Technical Draw +6600
Sandhagen’s reach advantage is the most obvious aspect of this fight and is likely a big reason why his odds to win by KO or TKO are so short. Similarly, his odds to win by decision also reflect his long ranged abilities - there’s a chance Sandhagen can just dance Dillashaw to death.
For Dillashaw, the most likely method of victory is via KO as well - the online sportsbooks seem to think he’ll need to close on Sandhagen and drag him into the deep water, so to speak.
Dillashaw by decision also makes some sense, as he’s defeated good fighters like John Lineker and Raphael Assunção by decision before. Notably, Sandhagen also defeated those two fighters by decision, although Dillashaw’s wins (especially over Lineker) were regarded as more dominant.
Online gambling fans should look to see how well Sandhagen is doing with his jab, and whether or not Dillashaw can close the distance on him.
Dillashaw is unlikely to be able to hang at range with Sandhagen, and how he responds to the jab could decide the fight.