Mario Bautista got his long-awaited revenge on Saturday at UFC 329, as the 33-year-old bantamweight contender defeated Cory Sandhagen by unanimous decision, seven years after losing to him by armbar submission in Bautista's short-notice UFC debut.
During a dramatic three-rounder inside the T-Mobile Arena in Las Vegas, Bautista appeared to injure Sandhagen's knee, and though Sandhagen fought through the pain, he was ultimately powerless to prevent Bautista from rag-dolling him in a dominant third.
"I knew I could beat him," Bautista (18-3) said after collecting three scores of 29-28 from the judges. "I just needed to come prepared."
Sandhagen (18-7) had moments of magic though, dancing around the outside real estate of the Octagon in the first round, hitting a front kick and check left hand that hurt Bautista.
Bautista stamped his authority with a body lock and grappling exchanges, but when Sandhagen was afforded the luxury of striking, the one-time ****** le challenger showcased a diversity in his attack that included right hands to the body and uppercuts from close range. He switched stances and showed all-around fluidity in the transition between his strikes. His left hook to the jaw, for example, looked like a formidable weapon.