TLDR
- Cory Sandhagen and Mario Bautista will rematch at UFC 329 on Saturday, July 11 at T-Mobile Arena in Las Vegas
- Sandhagen won their first meeting seven years ago by submission when Bautista took the fight on short notice
- Bautista has won nine of his last 10 fights and enters as a +110 underdog despite his recent success
- Sandhagen lost his last fight to Merab Dvalishvili, surrendering 20 takedowns in the title bout
- Bautista’s improved wrestling and athleticism could pose problems for Sandhagen’s takedown defense
Sources: sports.yahoo.com | mmamania.com
Cory Sandhagen and Mario Bautista will settle their unfinished business this Saturday at UFC 329 in Las Vegas. The bantamweight contenders face off at T-Mobile Arena on July 11, seven years after their first meeting.
Sandhagen won that initial fight by submission back in 2019 when Bautista accepted the bout on short notice during his UFC debut. Both fighters have evolved considerably since then, setting up an intriguing rematch between top contenders.
Bautista enters the fight at +110 odds despite his impressive recent run. He has won nine of his last 10 fights, with his only loss coming in a competitive battle against Umar Nurmagomedov.
Sandhagen is listed as a -140 favorite but comes off a difficult loss to Merab Dvalishvili in his title shot last October. He surrendered 20 takedowns in that championship fight, exposing a weakness in his takedown defense that Bautista may look to exploit.
💥 #UFC329 updated card: John Garza steps in on short notice to face Farid Basharat in place of Ethyn Ewing pic.twitter.com/0kioysglOT
— 3KFighting (@3KFighting) July 7, 2026
Bautista’s Path to Victory
The 33-year-old Bautista has quietly developed into one of the division’s most complete fighters. He lands 5.30 strikes per minute at 48% accuracy while averaging 1.91 takedowns per 15 minutes.
Bautista’s improved wrestling gives him multiple paths to win rounds. His ability to mix striking with takedowns could create problems for Sandhagen, who struggled with Dvalishvili’s similar approach.
The underdog stands 5-foot-9 with a 69-inch reach, giving up two inches in height and one inch in reach to Sandhagen. Despite the physical disadvantage, Bautista’s athleticism and pressure fighting style could help him close the distance.
Many experts believe Bautista’s best chance comes from pushing forward with combinations and moving into the clinch. This approach would allow him to use his wrestling while limiting Sandhagen’s range advantage.
Sandhagen’s Strengths
Sandhagen brings an 18-6 record into the fight with eight wins by knockout and five by submission. The 34-year-old has faced elite competition for years, testing himself against the division’s best fighters.
His height and reach advantage at 5-foot-11 with a 70-inch reach should help him control distance. Sandhagen’s jab and counter-punching ability have served him well throughout his career.
The fighter from Team Alpha Male has also developed his wrestling considerably since their first meeting. He can now threaten takedowns of his own and scramble effectively when opponents shoot.
Sandhagen started strong against Dvalishvili in his title fight, finding his range early and denying initial takedown attempts. He only faltered when nearly knocked out in the second round, from which he never fully recovered.
The betting odds favor a decision finish, with both fighters known more for technique than finishing power. The over/under is set at 2.5 rounds with heavy juice on the over at -270.
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Bautista by decision sits at +185 while Sandhagen by decision is listed at +185 as well. Knockout odds heavily favor Sandhagen at +380 compared to Bautista’s +1200.
The rematch takes place during International Fight Week in Las Vegas, with both fighters looking to move closer to a title shot. Sandhagen holds a 5-5 record in his last 10 fights while Bautista is 9-1 over the same stretch.
