UFC 329 live blog: Cory Sandhagen vs. Mario Bautista 2

Mario Bautista def. Cory Sandhagen via unanimous decision (29-28 x3)

Bautista earned a dominant unanimous decision over Sandhagen in their rematch at UFC 329, settling their seven-year grudge with the judges scoring all three rounds 29-28 in his favor. Sandhagen, ranked No. 5 at bantamweight, competed for the title in his most recent outing but was outworked by then-champion Merab Dvalishvili and now faces the climb back up the contender ladder. Bautista, ranked No. 6, sought redemption after Sandhagen submitted him on short notice back in 2019.

Bautista's game plan centered on leg damage and aggression. In round one, he scored a knockdown early and spent the latter half hunting a kneebar submission that left Sandhagen visibly limping to his corner. Sandhagen's mobility in round two was compromised by the leg damage, though he landed an elbow in the clinch that opened a cut over Bautista's right eye and managed to land more significant strikes despite being slowed. By round three, Bautista's left hook floored Sandhagen early, and though Sandhagen tried to survive the onslaught with leg attacks, Bautista's wrestling and relentless pressure secured the final round and the fight.