Cory Sandhagen has disclosed that a knee bar attempt by Mario Bautista in the first round of their fight likely tore his hamstring muscle, with an MRI scheduled this week to confirm the injury. Sandhagen explained that the damage caused his knee to lock up during certain movements, derailing his game plan for the remainder of the bout. He credited Bautista for a strong performance while acknowledging he won the second round before being taken down in the third.
Cory Sandhagen has revealed he likely suffered a torn hamstring during his bantamweight bout against Mario Bautista, with the injury stemming from a knee bar attempt in the opening round. Sandhagen disclosed that an MRI is scheduled this week to confirm the damage, which he says caused his knee to lock up during certain movements and effectively derailed his game plan for the rest of the fight.
Sandhagen, 34, enters the post-fight period holding an 18-7 record and ranked third in the bantamweight division. Fighting out of Denver's Elevation Fight Team, the switch-stance veteran has built his reputation on high-volume, technical striking, averaging 4.92 significant strikes per minute at 45 percent accuracy. He acknowledged that he took the second round before being taken down in the third, and offered credit to Bautista for a strong overall showing.
Bautista, also 33 and a fellow switch-stance fighter representing MMA Lab, improved to 18-3 with the performance. Ranked tenth in the division coming in, the American has quietly become one of bantamweight's more complete fighters, leading the division in grappling output with 2.49 takedowns per 15 minutes and averaging 1.1 submission attempts in the same span. His striking output is equally sharp, with 5.52 significant strikes per minute at 50 percent accuracy.
Why it matters
- A confirmed hamstring tear would likely sideline the third-ranked Sandhagen for an extended period, creating movement in a crowded bantamweight top five.
- Bautista's win over a top-three opponent significantly strengthens his case for a higher ranking and a marquee next assignment.
- The knee bar attempt that triggered the injury underscores Bautista's submission threat, an element opponents will need to account for going forward.
