In the main event of UFC Vegas 32, we saw one of the most highly anticipated main events of the year. Former bantamweight champion TJ Dillashaw (16-4) returned after a two-year suspension and took on top contender Cory Sandhagen (14-2).
Just a few years ago, TJ Dillashaw was on top of the world. He was the undisputed UFC bantamweight champion with aspirations of becoming a two-division champion. He decided to drop to flyweight to try and realize that dream.
However, to assist with dropping weight and not losing energy, Dillashaw took EPO. EPO is a strong performance enhancer and the UFC informed him of the positive test after he lost to Cejudo in January of 2019. Dillashaw was then suspended for two years.
Upon his return, Dillashaw wanted to take on the best that the division had to offer and it didn’t get better than Cory Sandhagen. Since making his debut with the UFC, Sandhagen has gone an impressive 7-1.
The lone loss came against the current champion Aljamain Sterling. However, since that loss he’s bounced back with back-to-back knockouts over Marlon Moraes and Frankie Edgar.
UFC Vegas 32 Recap
Round 1
The UFC Vegas 32 main event kicked off with a touch of the gloves. Dillashaw immediately pushed forward with pressure as Sandhagen circled on the outside. Leg kick for Sandhagen starts the striking.
Body kick lands for Dillashaw. Dillashaw pushes forward with a combination. Nice right straight lands for Sandhagen. Sandhagen throws a flying knee that lands and Sandhagen gets Dillashaw in an inverted triangle choke.
It’s deep, but Dillashaw survives. The former UFC champion lands a few good shots and Sandhagen works his way up to his feet along the fence. Dillashaw holds the clinch while kneeing the thighs of Sandhagen.
Both men exchange big shots as they separate. Low kick for Sandhagen lands. Beautiful left hook lands for Dillashaw. Another good low kick from Sandhagen. Dillashaw lands two straight hands and he gets a body lock.
Sandhagen tries to roll, but Dillashaw ends up on top. Dillashaw is looking to land shots as Sandhagen attacks submissions. Big right lands for Dillashaw. Sandhagen attacks a leg and Dillashaw lands big shots as the round closes. Great round, and I lean 1-0 to the former UFC champion.
Round 2
The first round at UFC Vegas 32 was insanely close and incredibly competitive. They touch gloves to start the second round. Sandhagen starts the striking with a couple of nice jabs. Dillashaw pushes forward and shoots for a takedown.
The two clinch along the fence and Dillashaw is heavy on the pressure. Sandhagen separates and Dillashaw lands a big body kick on the break. Dillashaw’s leg might be compromised from the leg attacks in the first round.
Huge 1-2 lands for Sandhagen and Dillashaw shakes it off. Nice left hook lands for Dillashaw. Both exchange jabs and Dillashaw keeps pushing forward. Sandhagen drops Dillashaw with a big left hook.
Dillashaw shoots for a takedown. The two separate and Sandhagen seems to have found his range here in the second round. Dillashaw is busted open and Sandhagen is really taking control here.
Big flying knee for Sandhagen and he lands another combination after. Dillashaw tries to land a combination, but he’s out of range. Sandhagen continues to land, but Dillashaw gets to the clinch and gets a brief takedown. The round ends and it was a big round at UFC Vegas 32 for Sandhagen.
Round 3
Entering the third round here at UFC Vegas 32 and I think it’s even after two. They touch gloves and Dillashaw pushes forward with a left hand. Big combination lands for Dillashaw.
Nice straight shot lands for Sandhagen. However, Dillashaw looks much better here in the third. Both men exchange body kicks. Dillashaw pushes forward and gets the clinch along the fence.
Sandhagen defending well as Dillashaw tries to drag him to the ground. Good knees to the thighs from Dillashaw. Nice elbow from Sandhagen and they break. Huge right hand lands for Cory Sandhagen.
However, Dillashaw keeps pushing forward and he lands a nice combination. Another big right lands for Sandhagen. Heavy calf kick from Dillashaw buckles Sandhagen briefly.
Sandhagen tries a spinning kick, but Dillashaw catches him and takes him down. Dillashaw briefly gets the back, but Sandhagen gets back up. Both men exchange big shots, but Dillashaw lands the better of the combination.
The UFC Vegas 32 main event is advertised so far. Sandhagen tries for his own takedown, but Dillashaw defends perfectly. The round closes with Dillashaw controlling the clinch. I have it 2-1 Dillashaw here at UFC Vegas 32.
Round 4
Entering the fourth round at UFC Vegas 32Â and this is really anybody’s fight. Dillashaw pushes forward and lands the first shots of the round. Big leg kicks from Dillashaw. Dillashaw seems to have really found his second wind here.
Huge kicks from Dillashaw and Sandhagen seems to be slowing a bit here. Dillashaw times an entry perfectly and gets a clinch on Sandhagen. Heavy pressure from the former champion here.
Sandhagen is able to break and Dillashaw lands another leg kick off the break. Sandhagen starts pressing forward and trying to work off his jab. Big left hook lands for Cory Sandhagen. Here comes The Sandman here in the fourth round.
Nice left hook for Dillashaw finds it’s home. Huge body shot for Sandhagen and Dillashaw forces another clinch. Dillashaw gets a brief takedown and immediately Sandhagen pops to his feet.
Sandhagen spins and the two men break. A couple of nice jabs land for Cory Sandhagen and Dillashaw gets another clinch while looking for a takedown. Sandhagen breaks again and they strike to end the round. Good round for both men, but I lean Sandhagen here at UFC Vegas 32.
Round 5
Entering the final round here at UFC Vegas 32 and I think it’s all even. Both touch gloves and here we go. Dillashaw goes right to work on the legs. Lots of pressure here from TJ Dillashaw to start the final frame.
Sandhagen lands a good shot, but Dillashaw counters with a big combination of his own. These two are trading here in the fifth. Beautiful 1-2 lands for the former champion. Sandhagen lands a good shot of his own.
Dillashaw times Sandhagen beautifully and he briefly lands a takedown. However, Sandhagen gets right back up. Dillashaw again gets deep on a takedown attempt, but can’t get him down.
Nice jabs from Sandhagen and Dillashaw counters with his own shots. Right hands land for Dillashaw and Sandhagen circles on the outside. Both exchange big shots. Huge hook to the body from Sandhagen.
Another takedown attempt from Dillashaw and he presses Sandhagen against the fence. Sandhagen breaks, but Dillashaw lands nicely on the break. Beautiful straight lands for Sandhagen.
Big left hand for Dillashaw and he chains that into a takedown attempt. Again, he can’t get him down. Big leg kick from Dillashaw and a big body shot from Sandhagen. These two are going back and forth here at UFC Vegas 32.
Dillashaw pushes forward with big shots. These two swing to the finish and what a fight! I lean TJ Dillashaw in the final round, but this fight could literally go to either man.
TJ Dillashaw def. Cory Sandhagen by Split Decision (48-47, 47-48, 48-47)