Cory Sandhagen remains vocal about his disappointment with Marlon "Chito" Vera's performance against Sean O'Malley at UFC 299. Despite Vera's history of defeating O'Malley in 2020, his recent showing was lackluster, prompting harsh criticism from Sandhagen. Sandhagen, who dominated Vera earlier this year, felt Vera's failure to adapt and improve from their bout warranted his pointed remarks. Vera, in turn, responded defensively, highlighting the tension between the two fighters. Sandhagen admits his criticism was fueled by frustration over Vera's title opportunity and subsequent performance against a similar fighter to himself.

By the Numbers
  • Vera lost to O'Malley via a lopsided decision at UFC 299.
  • Sandhagen dominated Vera in a five-round decision in March 2023.
State of Play
  • Sandhagen was critical of Vera's lack of improvement and strategy adaptation.
  • Vera's defensive reaction highlights internal tensions within the UFC bantamweight division.
What's Next

Sandhagen returns to the octagon on August 3 for a pivotal matchup against Umar Nurmagomedov at UFC Abu Dhabi, signaling another significant challenge in his career.

Bottom Line

The ongoing tension between Sandhagen and Vera underscores the high stakes and personal rivalries in the UFC bantamweight division, emphasizing the importance of continuous improvement and strategic evolution in the sport.