Cory Sandhagen, Rob Font highlight UFC on ESPN 50 in Nashville at Bridgestone Arena
The UFC returns to Nashville for the first time in more than four years with a main event that has significant championship stakes attached.
Bantamweight contenders Cory Sandhagen and Rob Font meet in five-round fight at Bridgestone Arena. It would be stunning if the bout, which caps off the six-fight main card Saturday (8 p.m. CT, ESPN) at UFC on ESPN 50, is anything less than a thriller.
Sandhagen (16-4 MMA, 9-3 UFC) is among the most dangerous fighters in the 135-pound division. His highlight reel consists of knockout wins by flying knee, spinning kick and other diverse techniques. Font (20-6 MMA, 10-5 UFC) brings his own striking threat that largely revolves around crisp boxing.
The fight will take place at a contracted weight of 140 pounds since Font took the fight on just 17 days’ notice. The Boston-based fighter was scheduled to compete on a different card later this month, but instead replaced original headliner Umar Nurmagomedov, who suffered an injury in training. Despite the catchweight, the result still could have meaningful repercussions on the title picture at 135 pounds.
“I’m in tip-top shape – I’m in tip-top skill level,” Sandhagen told The Tennessean. “I’m centered. I’m Zen. I’m ready to go. I’m ready to get this win, and then stamp my letter of approval to get my title shot after this.”
Font, who is No. 8 in the latest USA TODAY Sports bantamweight rankings, has an opportunity to change his fortunes in a hurry against No. 5 Sandhagen. After back-to-back losses, he got back on track with a quick knockout win in April.
That positioned him to be the UFC's first call when a new opponent was needed for Sandhagen. If he gets the job done in an impressive manner, he suddenly might find himself at the forefront of the discussion to challenge for a UFC belt.
“It’s not easy to get him out of there,” Font said of Sandhagen. “Getting in there, knocking him out, getting that bonus, getting my hand raised and getting that title shot – that’s obviously the end goal.”
For Sandhagen, 31, Saturday will mark the fifth time he’ll be tasked with a UFC main event. He is the higher-ranked fighter and a more than 3-1 betting favorite. Not only does he want to win, but he wants to do so in resounding fashion.
“I think that I’m a more modern, well-engineered weapon than Rob,” Sandhagen said. “I think he’s definitely good at what he does, but I think overall skill set in MMA, I’m better. ... I would be very upset if I let myself lose to Rob.”
Font, 36, knows the odds are stacked against him. He’s the older fighter and at a preparation disadvantage, but said he doesn’t find it discouraging. He knows the UFC picked him for this role for a reason, and it has faith in his ability to deliver.
“The UFC knows what they have with me – that I’m going to bring the fight,” Font said. “I’m never going to quit on myself. I’m always going to bring it in the fight the whole time.”
This article originally appeared on Knoxville News Sentinel: Cory Sandhagen, Rob Font highlight UFC on ESPN 50 in Nashville
