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Bautista Beats Sandhagen at UFC 329, Injury Delays O'Malley Fight

7/14/2026

Summary

Bautista Defeats Sandhagen

Mario Bautista defeated Cory Sandhagen by unanimous decision (29-28) at UFC 329.
Bautista knocked Sandhagen down in round three, securing the winning scores.
Sandhagen said a first-round kneebar tore his hamstring, leaving his leg bruised, limping, and prompting an MRI this week.
The loss, his third in four fights, could postpone a scheduled bout with Sean O’Malley.

Summary

Sandhagen Setback

The UFC 329 main-card bout in Las Vegas was the long-awaited 2019 rematch, recalling Sandhagen’s first-round submission of Bautista.
After the decision, Sandhagen dropped to No. 5 and Bautista rose to No. 4 in the bantamweight rankings.
Analysts expect Sandhagen’s next fight to be against a top-15 opponent rather than an immediate top-five challenger.
A hamstring injury shown on Sandhagen’s Instagram could keep him out of training for weeks, postponing his comeback.

Summary

Bautista Injures Sandhagen

Bautista’s first-round knee-bar hyper-extended Sandhagen’s leg, causing a hamstring tear.
Medical experts say a moderate hamstring tear may need up to eight weeks.
They add a full rupture could require six months.
Sandhagen posted a graphic Instagram photo and said the tear locked out his movement, ruining his game plan.
The length of his recovery will determine whether he can meet Sean O’Malley later this year.

History

Historical Context

Ronda Rousey's 2015 knockout loss to Holly Holm at UFC 193—held before a record 56,214 fans—showed how a single upset can instantly reshape the women’s bantamweight hierarchy. That pattern repeats today as a hamstring injury forces a reshuffle, turning the UFC 329 Bautista-vs-Sandhagen rematch into a pivotal ranking battle and promoters must adjust future match-making calendars.

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Bautista Defeats Sandhagen

Mario Bautista defeated Cory Sandhagen by unanimous decision (29-28) at UFC 329.
Bautista knocked Sandhagen down in round three, securing the winning scores.
Sandhagen said a first-round kneebar tore his hamstring, leaving his leg bruised, limping, and prompting an MRI this week.
The loss, his third in four fights, could postpone a scheduled bout with Sean O’Malley.

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