Mario Bautista was reminded of his previous defeat to Cory Sandhagen after the UFC tagged him in a submission video highlighting the finish. The move caught Bautista off guard and drew attention to the earlier result in his career.
The UFC's social media team delivered an unexpected reminder to Mario Bautista on July 8, 2026, tagging him in a highlight video showcasing Cory Sandhagen's submission finish over the bantamweight contender from an earlier meeting between the two.
Bautista, 33, carries a 17-3 record and currently sits ranked tenth in the bantamweight division. Fighting out of MMA Lab, the switch-stance fighter has built a reputation as one of the more well-rounded competitors in the 135-pound weight class, averaging 5.3 significant strikes per minute with 48 percent accuracy and posting a solid 1.91 takedowns per 15 minutes. The Sandhagen loss represents one of only three defeats on his record.
Sandhagen, ranked third in the division at 34 years old, holds an 18-6 record and trains with Elevation Fight Team. The Colorado-based switch-stance fighter is known for his diverse offensive output, landing 4.86 significant strikes per minute at 45 percent accuracy while also mixing in takedowns at 1.15 per 15 minutes. The submission finish the UFC highlighted is a somewhat rare weapon for Sandhagen, who averages just 0.2 submission attempts per 15 minutes.
Why it matters
- The tag publicly reminds a top-ten contender of a loss to the division's third-ranked fighter, keeping the rivalry visible.
- A rematch between a ranked tenth and ranked third bantamweight would carry meaningful divisional implications for both men.
- The style matchup features two switch-stance strikers, though Bautista's higher takedown volume contrasts with Sandhagen's longer finishing highlight reel.
