Cory Sandhagen: First-round torn tricep led to UFC Nashville strategy, requires surgery

Cory Sandhagen might wind up looking back at UFC on ESPN 50 as one of the most polarizing moments of his MMA career.

On one hand, Sandhagen (17-4 MMA, 10-3 UFC) picked up a crucial win in the bantamweight division with an utterly dominant unanimous decision against Rob Font (20-7 MMA, 10-6 UFC). The fight was a main event, and Sandhagen called for a title shot afterward. These all seem to be good things.

But Sandhagen’s 25-minute win, which was marked by nearly 20 minutes of control time and some of the paltriest combined striking numbers in UFC history, was derided by many critics, and UFC president Dana White reportedly walked out of the arena in the middle of the fight rather than stay for the end.

And if that wasn’t bad enough, now Sandhagen will have to put surgery and rehab next on his plate instead of thinking about the title, which champion Aljamain Sterling has on the line later this month against Sean O’Malley.

Sandhagen posted on Instagram on Monday to say he tore his tricep early in the fight, and that it led to his wrestling-heavy strategy.

“Fully torn tricep in Round 1 :/,” Sandhagen posted. “Wasn’t able to punch or elbow with that arm without pain and it feeling like shit. Did what I had to do to win that night. Surgery this week – back soon! PEACE – LOVE YOU”

Champ Sterling was critical of Sandhagen’s performance. So was former dual titleholder Henry Cejudo. And then there was the White thing.

It’s not yet known how long Sandhagen will be out to recover.

For more on the card, visit MMA Junkie’s event hub for UFC on ESPN 51.