Sport
UFC Vegas 60: Sandhagen seeking to bounce back
After a thrilling main event last weekend, the action returns to the octagon for what should be a middleweight war followed by a bantamweight brawl for the main event.
The action goes down at the UFC APEX, Las Vegas, Nevada, with the main card starting at midnight for UK fight fans.
We preview the best of the action below.
Cory Sandhagen v Yadong Song: Song to further Sandhagen’s woes?
Cory Sandhagen is one of the best in the 135-pound division, currently fourth in the rankings despite coming off back-to-back decision losses to T.J. Dillashaw and Petr Yan. They were closely contested fights, but Sandhagen didn’t do enough to win the judges’ favour, leaving his record standing at 14-4.
“The Sandman” Sandhagen heads into this bout the favourite despite those losses, at 4/9. The Colorado native has a large advantage in landing significant strikes, landing 6.42 per minute compared to his opponent’s 4.92 according to UFC statistics.
Sandhagen trains with Elevation Fight Team where he has developed his dangerous skills. The majority of his recent wins have come by way of knockout or technical knockout, with six of his last nine wins ending by this method. His odds of adding another win by knockout or technical knockout are priced at 4/1.
Yadong Song also has a decorated record, with a record of 8-1-1 since joining the UFC and an overall record of 19-6. This will mark Song’s first UFC main event and he will be aiming to impress now he’s been given this opportunity to display his skills over five rounds.
Song enters the octagon the underdog at 7/4 despite his three-fight win streak over formidable opponents and his excellent record in the UFC. His last two bouts didn’t see the judges’ scorecards, with Song ending one by knockout and the other by technical knockout. It’s 4/1 about Song ending the fight by knockout this time.
This main event will be an entertaining battle of wills, with both fighters possessing that all important fight ending power. However, the odds of the bout going the distance are 4/6.
Check out all the latest betting offers at William Hill
Chidi Njokuani v Gregory Rodrigues: Knockout specialists go toe-to-toe
Chidi Njokuani is a martial arts veteran with 29 fights under his belt, but his performance has only improved in recent years, with four back-to-back wins which were all by stoppage. His record now stands at 22-7, with 14 knockouts.
“Chidi Bang Bang” Njokuani will head into this middleweight fight the bookies joint favourite at 10/11. He originates from Texas but fights out of Las Vegas, Nevada, where he trains with One Kick’s Gym. He will try and utilise his five-inch reach advantage to control the distance, and it could give him the upper hand in boxing exchanges.
Gregory Rodrigues bounced back into the win column following his last fight out, where he achieved a first-round knockout. The Brazilian has won 11 of his last 13 fights which leaves his record at an impressive 12-4.
“Robocop” Rodrigues heads into this bout the joint favourite at 10/11, which reflects just how close this match up will be, with both men possessing incredible finishing power. Most of his wins have come by knockout or technical knockout and he is 5/2 to finish this bout by that method.
As mentioned above, both of these fighters possess immense power, and the odds don’t suggest that this fiery match-up will go the distance at 4/9, with the odds of the bout going to the judges’ scorecards being 13/8.
