T.J. Dillashaw eked out a split-decision victory over Corey Sandhagen in the main event of UFC on ESPN 27 at the Apex in Las Vegas.
All things considered, it was an impressive performance for Dillashaw (17-4-0), who had not fought in over two years and took on the No. 2 contender in Sandhagen (14-3-0). Utilizing his impeccable footwork, there was not a lot of rust evident early.
Sandhagen came close to locking in an inverse triangle, and then opened up Dillashaw in the second round. After a doctor checked in on Dillashaw, the fight resumed with T.J. attacking the legs and using the clinch.
Sandman going for another flying knee finish! 😳
[ #UFCVegas32 | We're LIVE on @ESPN & @ESPNPlus ] pic.twitter.com/QkpY0CUFte
— UFC (@ufc) July 25, 2021
Sandhagen’s tendency to move backwards may have cost the octagon control that the fight came down to.
The judges scored it 47-48, 48-47, and 48-47.
The win puts Dillashaw into the title shot conversation and snaps the two fight win streak of Sandhagen.
This one 𝘿𝙀𝙇𝙄𝙑𝙀𝙍𝙀𝘿 🍿
💰 @KyMatrix and @RaulianPaivaMMA are walking away with an extra 50k tonight at #UFCVegas32!
[ B2YB @ToyoTires ] pic.twitter.com/yD3Eu6E67Y
— UFC (@ufc) July 25, 2021
Raulian Paivia and Kyler Phillips earned Fight of the Night while Darren Elkins and Adrian Yanez earned performances of the night. Each fighter earned a $50,000 USD bonus.
Incredible performances from these two 👏
💵 @YanezMMA and @DarrenElkinsMMA earn your POTN! #UFCVegas32 pic.twitter.com/IbBBGoAOME
— UFC (@ufc) July 25, 2021
Kenai Andrews checks in with his thoughts on the main card.
In case you missed the prelims:
DIANA BELBITA DEF. HANNAH GOLDY VIA UD (30-27, 30-27, 30-27)
SIJARA EUBANKS DEF. ELISE REED VIA TKO (PUNCHES) R1 3:49
JULIO ARCE DEF. ANDRE EWELL VIA TKO (PUNCHES) R2 3:45
MICKEY GALL DEF. JORDAN WILLIAMS VIA SUBMISSION (RNC) R1 2:57
NASSOURDINE IMAVOV DEF. IAN HEINISCH VIA TKO (PUNCHES) R2 3:09
BRENDAN ALLEN DEF. PUNAHELE SORIANIO VIA UD (30-27, 30-27, 29-28)
MAIN CARD
ADRIAN YANEZ VS. RANDY COSTA
THERE IT IS 🗣
👊 @YanezMMA is the real deal. #UFCVegas32 pic.twitter.com/KWgjgoIBrG
— UFC (@ufc) July 24, 2021
WINNER: ADRIAN YANEZ VIA TKO (PUNCHES) R2 2:11
ANDREWS PREDICTION: ADRIAN YANEZ VIA TKO
Andrews: Wow! Yanez is an animal.
#13 MIRANDA MAVERICK VS. #14 MAYCEE BARBER
The future is still bright for @MayceeBarber ⭐️
[ #UFCVegas32 | LIVE on @ESPN & @ESPNPlus ] pic.twitter.com/gTUV9hi4pE
— UFC (@ufc) July 25, 2021
WINNER MAYCEE BARBER VIA SD (28-29, 29-28, 29-28)
ANDREWS PREDICTION: MIRANDA MAVERICK VIA UD
Andrews: Maverick won that fight.
DARREN ELKINS VS. DARRICK MINNER
𝑻𝑯𝑬 𝑫𝑨𝑴𝑨𝑮𝑬 does it again! 😤 #UFCVegas32 pic.twitter.com/YayQyATi3w
— UFC (@ufc) July 25, 2021
WINNER: DARREN ELKINS VIA TKO (PUNCHES) R2 3:48
ANDREWS PREDICTION: DARRICK MINNER VIA UD
Andrews: Wow! Elkins is 37 but still has enough for this.
#14 KYLER PHILLIPS VS. #12 RAULIAN PAIVA
Shifting momentum 😱
[ #UFCVegas32 | LIVE on @ESPN & @ESPNPlus ] pic.twitter.com/0Vr2AtolzP
— UFC (@ufc) July 25, 2021
WINNER: RAULIAN PAIVIA VIA MD (29-28, 29-28, 28-28)
ANDREWS PREDICTION: KYLER PHILLIPS VIA UD
Andrews: Good win and good fight.
MAIN EVENT
#2 COREY SANDHAGEN VS. T.J. DILLASHAW
SHEESH, this main event continues to deliver 💥 #UFCVegas32 pic.twitter.com/v4TJDW3yrh
— UFC (@ufc) July 25, 2021
WINNER: T.J. DILLASHAW VIA SD (47-48, 48-47, 48-47)
ANDREWS PREDICTION: COREY SANDHAGEN VIA UD
Andrews: You have to give Dillashaw credit as he looked pretty good for a long layoff. Corey did well but was backing up too much in the fight.
The UFC’s next event is UFC on ESPN 28 in Las Vegas. Middleweight Uriah Hall takes on Sean Strickland in the main event.
