A perhaps No. 1 contender bout in the bantamweight division will be the headliner for this week’s UFC Fight Night. No. 2-ranked Cory Sandhagen welcomes unranked and former champion T.J. Dillashaw, who has been out of action for over two and a half years due to suspension.
UFC Fight Night: Sandhagen vs Dillashaw will take place at the UFC Apex Center with fans in Las Vegas, Nevada, on July 24. In the main event, Sandhagen vs Dillashaw odds have the former champ listed as the underdog and the No. 2-ranked Sandhagen as the favorite.
Since suffering his first UFC loss to now-champion Aljamain Sterling just over a year ago, Sandhagen has rattled off back-to-back knockout wins, including one over former lightweight champion Frankie Edgar.
The last time we saw the former bantamweight champion was way back on January 19, 2019, when he dropped to flyweight to challenge Henry Cejudo for his belt. Dillashaw used performance-enhancing drugs to cut the weight, tested positive and has been out ever since.
Sandhagen vs Dillashaw Odds
Online sportsbook [Sportsbook not available for your region] has the Sandhagen vs Dillashaw odds and it is Cory who is the -200 favorite while T.J. returns to action as a +160 underdog. These betting lines mean you would have to bet $200 to profit $100 with a Sandhagen victory, while a $100 bet on Dillashaw could profit you $160.
Taking a deeper look at the Sandhagen vs Dillashaw odds, our sports betting calculator tells us that Cory’s betting line of -200 represents an implied win probability of 66.67 percent and T.J.’s odds have an implied win probability of 37.17 percent.
The largest betting favorite on the card comes in the prelims in the women’s flyweight division with Sijara Eubanks (-360) favored over Elise Reed (+270). The tightest betting line comes in the Sportsbook bout of the night with Diana Belbita and Hannah Goldy listed as a pick’em with both women holding -110 odds.
Sandhagen vs Dillashaw Betting Odds & Fight Card
- Main Card
- Bantamweight – Cory Sandhagen (-200) vs T.J. Dillashaw (+160)
- Bantamweight – Kyler Phillips (-285) vs Raulian Paiva (+225)
- Featherweight – Darren Elkins (+125) vs Darrick Minner (-155)
- Women’s Flyweight – Miranda Maverick (-155) vs Maycee Barber (+130)
- Welterweight – Mickey Gall (+145) vs Jordan Williams (-180)
- Prelims
- Middleweight – Punahele Soriano (-115) vs Brendan Allen (-105)
- Middleweight – Nassourdine Imavov (+135) vs Ian Heinisch (-170)
- Bantamweight – Adrian Yanez (-225) vs Randy Costa (+175)
- Bantamweight – Julio Arce (-200) vs Andre Ewell (+160)
- Women’s Flyweight – Sijara Eubanks (-360) vs Elise Reed (+270)
- Women’s Strawweight – Diana Belbita (-110) vs Hannah Goldy (-110)
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- Date/Time: July 24, 4 p.m. ET
- Location: Las Vegas, Nevada
- Arena: UFC Apex
- Where to Watch: ESPN/ESPN+
Cory Sandhagen vs T.J. Dillashaw Odds & Prediction
| Fighter | Odds |
|---|---|
| Cory Sandhagen | -200 |
| T.J. Dillashaw | +160 |
A loss to Sterling last year was the first for Cory “Sandman” Sandhagen (-200) in the UFC and snapped a seven-fight winning streak; a win over Dillashaw could earn him a rematch with the champ. The two-time bantamweight champion, T.J. Dillashaw (+160), hopes a statement in his return could catapult him back into the title conversation and reclaim that which he used to own.
- Not only has Sandhagen won two fights in a row since he lost but both were knockout wins. His record stands at 14-2 and nine of those wins have been stoppages (six knockouts, three submissions).
- Sandman is a big bantamweight, standing five-foot-11 with a 70-inch reach. He is predominantly a striker, averaging 6.85 significant strikes per minute while absorbing only 3.89. He does add in 1.07 takedowns per 15 minutes but hasn’t scored one in his last four bouts.
- Since his loss, one of the changes he has made to make him more dangerous is his mindset, outlined in an appearance on the Joe Rogan Experience that is found below. Sandhagen typically has a calm demeanor, almost sleepy, but he now vows to hurt his foes.
- He switches stances fluidly, throwing plenty of feints looking for opportunities to land the finishing blow. He has a wide variety of strikes he likes to throw, from kicks to knees, spinning attacks and a snappy jab. Sandman has to watch the grappling, stuffing only 30 percent of attempts against.
- Sandhagen’s last three fights were Aljamain Sterling (loss – submission), Marlon Moraes (win – knockout) and Frankie Edgar (win – knockout).
- Despite cheating to cut weight and challenge for the flyweight belt, Dillashaw lost that fight. He holds a 16-4 record with two losses by knockout while 11 of his wins have been finishes (eight knockouts, three submissions).
- Dillashaw’s record is interesting because he has had four four-fight win streaks broken up with a loss, two in title fights. He is a well-rounded fighter, averaging 5.37 significant strikes per minute and absorbing 3.03 while also adding in 1.68 takedowns per 15 minutes.
- He has really good footwork that allows him to close distance effectively but also stay out of danger coming back his way. He uses a lot of feints to read his opponent’s movements before Sportsbook up on the attack.
- T.J. will be at a three-inch reach disadvantage and is five inches shorter, which could put him at a disadvantage on the feet but could also allow him to get in on the hips for a takedown more easily. He does his best work when he stands his ground, closes the distance and looks to counter.
- Dillashaw’s last three fights were Cody Garbrandt (win – knockout), Cody Garbrandt (win – knockout) and Henry Cejudo (loss – knockout).
Prediction: Cory Sandhagen (-200) via knockout
Kyler Phillips vs Raulian Paiva Odds & Prediction
| Fighter | Odds |
|---|---|
| Kyler Phillips | -285 |
| Raulian Paiva | +225 |
A winning streak will come to an end when these two top prospects battle it out to continue their rise in the rankings. Kyler “The Matrix” Phillips (-285) has won four in a row, including three straight in the UFC. Meanwhile, Raulian Paiva (+225) comes in on the heels of back-to-back wins after dropping his first two UFC bouts.
- Phillips has had the real UFC experience, competing in The Ultimate Fighter and Dana White’s Tuesday Night Contender Series. He sits at 9-1 with one decision loss while stopping six of his opponents (five knockouts, one submission).
- The Matrix is a highly skilled prospect who is able to compete wherever the fight goes. He averages 5.32 significant strikes per minute, absorbing 3.04, and he also averages 2.88 takedowns per 15 minutes.
- He is active on the feet, constantly bouncing around and always throwing combinations with good kicks as well. As solid as he is in striking, his grappling is equally impressive as he searches for submissions while using an active ground and pound.
- Phillips’s last three fights were Gabriel Silva (win – unanimous decision), Cameron Else (win – knockout) and Yadong Song (win – unanimous decision).
- Paiva had a tough start to his UFC career with consecutive losses following a 12-fight winning streak. He is 20-3 overall but has only seven finishes (four knockouts, three submissions).
- He has been outstruck in three of his five UFC appearances, including his fight on DWTNCS, averaging 4.46 significant strikes per minute and absorbing 4.89. He landed one takedown in his DWTNCS but has none in the actual promotion.
- Raulian has really fast hands, especially his right straight. He also mixes up his kicks effectively and his low kicks are plenty powerful. With his aggressive approach, he can get caught flat-footed if he’s pressured, which is likely the case against a larger man.
- Paiva’s last three fights were Rogerio Bontorin (loss – knockout, cut), Mark De La Rosa (win – knockout) and Zhalgas Zhumagulov (win – unanimous decision).
Prediction: Kyler Phillips (-285) via knockout
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Darren Elkins vs Darrick Minner Odds & Prediction
| Fighter | Odds |
|---|---|
| Darren Elkins | +125 |
| Darrick Minner | -155 |
We’re always in for a treat when Darren “The Damage” Elkins (+125) enters the Octagon because he brings the war every time. Similarly, Darrick Minner (-155) doesn’t shy away from a firefight and eyes his first three-fight winning streak in six years.
- A veteran of the cage, Elkins made his UFC debut in 2010 and this is his 24th walk to the Octagon. His record is 25-9 with 13 stoppage victories (eight knockouts, five submissions), while he has been finished four times (three knockouts, one submission).
- The Damage has been outstruck in six of his last seven bouts but was stopped only once over that span. The orthodox fighter lands 3.50 significant strikes per minute, absorbing 3.08, and he lands 2.70 takedowns per 15 minutes, including seven in his last outing.
- He has great conditioning and grinds his opponents out with grappling if he can get on the inside. On the feet, he continually marches forward throwing punches but anticipates strikes coming back, which he rarely avoids. His only submission loss came to Charles Oliveira in 2010.
- Elkins’s last three fights were Ryan Hall (loss – unanimous decision), Nate Landwehr (loss – unanimous decision) and Luiz Eduardo Garagorri (win – submission).
- After dropping his UFC debut, Minner has maybe found his footing with consecutive wins. He carries a 26-11 record with 23 stoppage wins (one knockout, 22 submissions) while 10 of his defeats have been finishes (two knockouts, eight submissions).
- In his last two wins, he outstruck his foes 60-15 while landing four takedowns. He moves well on his feet and has nice kicks while letting his hands fly when his opponents enter his range. Striking isn’t his area of expertise, though.
- Minner has very good grappling. He’s relentless in looking for a takedown and then weighs heavy on top, throwing a lot of ground and pound while searching for a submission.
- Minner’s last three fights were Grant Dawson (loss – submission), T.J. Laramie (win – submission) and Charles Rosa (win – unanimous decision).
Prediction: Darrick Minner (-155) via decision
Miranda Maverick vs Maycee Barber Odds & Prediction
| Fighter | Odds |
|---|---|
| Miranda Maverick | -155 |
| Maycee Barber | +130 |
Another fight with two rising prospects, this time on the women’s side. Miranda “Fear The” Maverick (-155) has rattled off five wins in a row, including two straight in the UFC. Maycee “The Future” Barber (+130) has lost back-to-back fights and is looking to get back to her winning ways.
- Maverick made her pro debut at just 18 years old in Invicta FC. Now 24, she sits at 9-2 (2-0 in the UFC) with both of her losses coming by decision. She has six stoppage wins (one knockout, five submissions).
- The southpaw has looked great in the Octagon, outstriking both opponents and averaging 6.00 significant strikes per minute while absorbing 2.85. She lands 2.25 takedowns per 15 minutes.
- She has great striking, closing the cage well and throwing good kicks and powerful punches. Miranda almost always throws combinations and she never hesitates when she’s in the pocket. She is also very big and on top, on the ground, she is extremely strong and suffocating.
- Maverick’s last three fights were Pearl Gonzalez (win – unanimous decision), Liana Jojua (win – knockout) and Gillian Robertson (win – unanimous decision).
- Barber was skyrocketing up the UFC rankings before a knee injury in her Roxanne Modafferi loss in January 2020. Her record now stands at 8-2 with two decision losses and seven stoppage wins (five knockouts, two submissions).
- The 23-year-old was hoping to break Jon Jones’ record of being the youngest-ever UFC champ but a couple of losses and a lengthy injury have derailed those hopes. A well-rounded mixed martial artist, she averages 5.21 significant strikes per minute, absorbing 3.00, and also averages 1.44 takedowns per 15 minutes.
- Maycee has a really good jab and she does a great job throwing combinations. Her forward pressure is constant as she looks to get her hands on her foes. She’s most dangerous when she opens up and is a little reckless.
- Barber’s last three fights were Gillian Robertson (win – knockout), Roxanne Modafferi (loss – unanimous decision) and Alexa Grasso (loss – unanimous decision).
Prediction: Maycee Barber (+130) via decision
Mickey Gall vs Jordan Williams Odds & Prediction
| Fighter | Odds |
|---|---|
| Mickey Gall | +145 |
| Jordan Williams | -180 |
The welterweights will open up the main card with two men looking to get back in the win column. Mickey Gall (+145) has been on a win-one, lose-one streak over his last five fights and is coming off a defeat a year ago. As for Jordan “Bomaye” Williams (-180), he earned his UFC contract with three Dana White’s Tuesday Night Contender Series appearances but dropped his debut.
- Gall gained a lot of attention in his third pro fight and second in the UFC when he beat CM Punk back in 2016. Gall now sports a 6-3 record with five submission wins and only one knockout loss.
- Mickey originally was just a grappler but his striking continues to evolve. He does earn 1.15 takedowns per 15 minutes while in the striking department he lands 2.55 significant strikes per minute and absorbs 3.65.
- He has good lateral movement and when striking has solid kicks, especially his body kick, and does a good job throwing straight punches. Gall did slow in his fight with Mike Perry, though that was a grueling fight.
- Gall’s last three fights were Diego Sanchez (loss – knockout), Salim Touahri (win – unanimous decision) and Mike Perry (loss – unanimous decision).
- Williams’s three appearances on the Contender Series resulted in a knockout win, a split-decision loss and a no contest. He holds a 9-4 record with one no contest and eight of his wins have come by stoppage (seven knockouts, one submission).
- Bomaye is an uptempo fighter, averaging 6.07 significant strikes per minute, though he also absorbs 5.77. He is quick and utilizes a lot of head fakes. His hand speed is impressive and I think that translates to deceptive power.
- When he strikes, at times he squares up to his foes like a boxer, which can lead to him getting knocked down if he’s knocked off balance. Additionally, he bites on feints and will often throw a strike out that opens areas to be countered.
- Williams’s last three fights were Ramazan Kuramagomedov (loss – split decision), Gregory Rodrigues (win – knockout) and Nassourdine Imavov (loss – unanimous decision).
Prediction: Mickey Gall (+145) via decision
UFC Fight Night: Sandhagen vs Dillashaw Best Bets
| Fighter | Odds |
|---|---|
| Bantamweight – Cory Sandhagen | -200 |
| Bantamweight – Kyler Phillips | -285 |
| Featherweight – Darrick Minner | -155 |
| Women’s Flyweight – Maycee Barber | +130 |
| Welterweight – Mickey Gall | +145 |
