MMA Preview – Petr Yan vs Cory Sandhagen at UFC 267
PETR YAN VS CORY SANDHAGEN FACTS
When is UFC 267? Saturday 30th October, 2021 - 17:00 start (UK)
Where is UFC 267? Etihad Arena, Yas Island, Abu Dhabi, (UAE)
Where can I get tickets for UFC 267? Click here to buy tickets for UFC 267
What channel is UFC 267 on? BT Sport 2
Where can I stream UFC 267? BT Sport subscribers can stream the fight online via the BT Sport website
For viewers in the United States, the event will be shown live on ESPN+ and you can sign up for access as part of a Disney Bundle here!
PETR YAN VS CORY SANDHAGEN LOWDOWN
The people’s champ, Petr Yan (15-2) finally gets his chance to win back his bantamweight title. He only has himself to blame, gifting it to Aljamain Sterling back in March. He weathered the early storm and began putting beating on his fatiguing foe in the fourth round before mindlessly throwing a knee while he was grounded to get disqualified. Sterling milked it but there was no doubting the contact and severity of the foul. It snapped his 10-fight win streak and now has a new opponent to make amends.
That opponent presents another incredibly tough challenge in the form of Cory Sandhagen (14-3). He is actually coming off a loss, but it was a split decision that could have easily gone his way. He welcomed the former king of the division, TJ Dillashaw and was close to submitting him but had to settle in tearing the ligaments in his knee. That loss and epic war was only three months ago and came after his two showstopping knockouts over Marlon Moraes and Frankie Edgar. They were in response to getting submitted my Aljamain Sterling and he would love nothing more than to avenge that loss as the champion.
PETR YAN VS CORY SANDHAGEN PREDICTION
This is one of the most anticipated title fights of the year and it does not even involve the champion. Sterling is out recovering from neck surgery, but nobody seems disappointed that this has become an interim title fight.
The more you delve into this match-up, the more fascinating it gets. Yan is arguably the best striker in the division with exceptional takedown defence and has employed his own takedowns in his last six fights. Sandhagen does not have the power of Yan, but he has a full arsenal of strikes and will boast three inches in reach and four in height.
This fight will be decided on who can control the range. Sandhagen’s length and movement will give Yan more problems than he has faced before. Aldo is the best striker he has fought but he did not have to worry about getting hit from outside his range and flying knees from across the octagon.
In range, Yan is a different beast with immaculate Muay Thai and boxing. He has the speed and power advantage, but unless he can shepherd Sandhagen in his firing range and clinch, he will be constantly chasing him while getting clipped with a variety of strikes. Yan has solid boxing defence, but Sandhagen attacks the whole body with all eight limbs making it impossible not to get hit.
Sandhagen can win this with volume alone, but Yan has the power and composure to win the fight in any round. We may also see Yan attempt to shoot in for a few takedowns to bank some points on the scorecards, but he will have to worry about Sandhagen’s knee and jiu-jitsu if they hit the deck.
We backed Yan’s experience, power and cardio against Sterling and it will be crucial here. Sandhagen has a colossal gas tank himself so he will not outwork him, but his experience and power should enable him to close the distance and inflict more damage. It may take a couple rounds to find his flow and will not come without adversity, but we are leaning towards the Russian earning the belt for the second time.
Prediction: Yan via Decision - CLICK HERE FOR PARIMATCH'S WELCOME OFFER (BET £5, GET £30 IN BONUSES!)
Value Bet: Sandhagen to win
