UFC Fight Night: Sandhagen vs. Font

The official Tapology discussion thread for the event!

Am I trippin or was there not a media day for this card?

Bro, I really want to see Andrade pulling the upset on Saturday Night and I'm going to root for Jessica because despite his striking and grappling is more carried on her brute power and physical strength over technique, but everyone knows that whenever Andrade fights it's an entertaining fight Because the fight is almost 100% certain to end in a finish, Andrade's record for finishes (both KO and Subs) in every WMMA category speaks for itself. 

But in this matchup Suarez has all the tools to beat Andrade by ground and pound or with a kimura or americana. Jessica's only opportunity is caught Tatiana on feet early in the fight or maybe a submission attempt like a D'Arce Choke or Anaconda Choke after stuff a takedown.

I can’t wait for the MMA community to get tired of deepthroading every fighter with a “v” at the end of their name. These guys are like centers in the NBA — top heavy. The best of the best are INCREDIBLE but after that it tails off FAST into pure ass cheeks. Actually go watch the bottom of an ACA card and you’ll understand.

be careful or some Chechen might find your ip 🤣

Sad seeing Andrade being fed to these girls now. Really sad. 

@Glovetown  

I get what your saying, but no sorry I will have to disagree... Now if you want a top heavy group/nation of fighters, it would be the Irish MMA fighters, perhaps even British also... They are kind of.... Real trashy and dont have a lot of class/dignity... Waving their flags at every cheap chance they get.... And must have some funny ideas about how to train and build fitness/strength... But no I dont think Dagestani's/Chechens/Georgians/Circassians etc are top heavy at all... Since the war started I think there have been a good few less MMA events around Russia... But no... I have picked so many events, seen so many novice to high level Caucasian (Mountain Steppe Region) fighters, with great records, mixed records, most of them will fade into the history books of time, with a few standouts making the big time.... They look mean (but its not an act) and usually always in proper great shape, they understand how to train elite, but above all they are humble and have a lot of integrity and honor as people (the root of their greatness)... I dont think they are top heavy, I think they are bottom heavy to top heavy ha.... Gladiators is just who/what they are..... And real ones (not all but most/many)

And yeah I used to watch ACA when it was ACB, and Fight Nights Global, and saw a few Akhmat FC's before the merge, I am not sure what your talking about to be honest... I thought even their novice prelim fighters would proper smoke other region's novice fighters.... They are different breeds... Just my 2 cents

One of my favorites of them, probably favorite :

https://www.tapology.com/fightcenter/fighters/12561-magomed-shikshabekov-the-eagle

* Edited at 08.03.2023, 8:03 PM ET *

@WastelandWanderer 

I was mainly referring to this Asu kid. Who I’m super unimpressed by. But I don’t disagree. Most regional MMA is top heavy but in relation how they’re perceived in the MMA community, I think the discrepancy between reality and perceptions is super wide

@Glovetown  

Yeah I get ya.... I know they arent all invincible for sure.... But I think most of them are beasts in general ha... Made for the Cage. And not just in MMA, they have proper beast guys in MMA, boxing, Olympic wrestling, judo, pro kickboxing/Muay Thai, you name it.... Considering their tiny populations and territories, I think they punch way above their weights in pretty much all forms of combat sports, and probably will for a long time yet.... Straight Edge ****.....

* Edited at 08.03.2023, 8:21 PM ET *

Sandhagen vs. Font
Cory Sandhagen, DEC
49-44

Sandhagen vs. Font
Cory Sandhagen, SUB, R3
Sandhagen gonna get a submission here. They'll be striking and then Sandhagen will snatch something up. Font is very good but he's a one dimensional boxer and coming in on short notice to fight a guy that was training for Nurmagomedov. Cory is gonna do bad things to Font. This won't be close as the fight goes on.

Andrade vs. Suarez
Tatiana Suarez, SUB, R1
Takedown and sub for Suarez. Andrade is also done. Blanchfield did bad things to her, Suarez will do triple that. Andrade has power sure but her ground game is atrocious. Suarez is still a beast.

Jacoby vs. Nzechukwu
Kennedy Nzechukwu, SUB, R2
Kennedy will close the distance on a slow kickboxing Jacoby and sub him. Kennedy is on his way up. Jacoby may be done too.

Tucker vs. Lopes
Diego Lopes, SUB, R1
Easy club and sub for Lopes here. Tucker used to have skills but he's old and way slower than Lopes. He is also coming off a layoff due to being knocked out badly and has always fought injuries. I saw Lopes debut live vs Evloev and this guy is super good. Never good to judge a guy based on a loss but it was his debut to Movsar and almost had him out of there. Super impressive.

Boser vs. Camur
Aleksa Camur, TKO, R2
Camur will just spam takedowns and then get a ground and pound finish. Boser is legit done. Loser gets cut.

Bahamondes vs. Klein
Ignacio Bahamondes, DEC
Bahamondes will beat Klein up for 15 mins. Klein is gonna take a beating here. I think Klein is an ok fighter I don't see him ever cracking the top 30 but he is UFC caliber and is a fine test for young guys.

Barcelos vs. Phillips
Kyler Phillips, DEC
Barcelos is done. Phillips will stay to the outside and pick him apart. The only way Barcelos wins is if he can mix in his wrestling but we all know he won't do that.

Wells vs. Harris
Carlston Harris, TKO, R1
I was flipping back and forth on this pick but I'm taking Harris. I've always liked Harris it's too bad he's already 36 and they fed him to Shavkat cause this guy is skilled. Wells is decent but has barely any cardio and his striking is awful besides power shots. Carlston should beat him here.

Quarantillo vs. Jackson
Billy Quarantillo, TKO, R2
Ground and pound coming for Billy Q. Jackson has decent wrestling but he can be taken down and he's super slow with his movements and striking. He's gonna get knocked out here.

Hadley vs. Durden
Jake Hadley, SUB, R1
I like Hadley but this fight may end up being close. It'll be Hadley early or Durden by wrestling to a decision. I think Durden gets Hadley down and then Hadley reverses and subs him or he will sub Durden from his back. Rooting for Cody though.

Woodson vs. Buzukja
Dennis Buzukja, DEC
I'm actually gonna take the dog here in Buzukja. I was never high on Woodson and his takedown defense is ****. Dennis has fought **** competition on the regional scene and he's coming in on short notice but I think he's more skilled than Sean honestly. Woodson has a suspect cardio and chin.

Osbourne vs. Almabaev
Asu Almabaev, SUB, R1
I think Ode is gonna come out fast and then get club and subbed. I really like Ode and I think he's talented but the UFC is building up some more fighters with high potential coming in from the regional scene. I hope they keep Ode around for a while he's a decent fighter and is still decently young. Asu has fought good competition on the regional scene and unless he has UFC debut nerves, he gets this done. I'm rooting for Ode though.

@Amettxpc 

Agreed she has all the tools to win this fight. 
Currently this fight is basically a crossroads for both fighters. 
A loss here can see people either mentioning Jessica needs to retire or fighting lesser opponents. 

I also agree that Jessica is going to have to stop those takedown attempts and really damage her early on to get her respect Jessicas range and if the takedown attempt is worth it to close the distance on someone with nukes in their hands. 

* Edited at 08.04.2023, 7:42 AM ET *

Why all tha russians pull out?

Woodson vs. Buzukja
Sean Woodson, DEC
Both are plotty. Stand and jab. Dennis does not move his head. Punches harder but wears the jab damage. Has to ko or takedown to win.

Osbourne vs. Almabaev
Ode Osbourne, TKO, R2
Ode has the secret x button mapped to instant prone. He's not getting smothered. If he stuffs it Asu will get lit up.

@Draco22 

Mother said come home before maghrib

So we're supposed to have faith in Ode who deathgasses way too early in every fight? The last time around he got a full round's rest, took the full five minutes and was still completely shot in the 3rd, like he hadn't had a break at all.

Don't get me wrong there's a number where I buy him here but it is truly a gamble to play these kind of unreliable fighters, it really does nothing for your sleep to have money on them.

yeah and it's not some crazy number either, Ode is only +160 rn. don't see much value 

He’s fighting a chain wrestler too. Assu doesn’t even need to get him down early, just needs to grind him out early and he will death gas

Anyone got a link to video coverage of the weigh ins? I can't find it strangely enough yet MMA Junkie is posting a bunch of weigh-in results. Ceremonials is scheduled on the UFC YT page but I don't see the actual weigh in.

@gliese58i 

go to Marcel Dorff’s twitter, he posted a Facebook link 

Last tweet I see from him is from 2022. Maybe because I don't have a twitter account. Thanks anyway. Apparently my search-fu is not strong enough for what you'd think would be widely spread and available footage in the interest of transparency and maintaining a legitimate sport. /s