Photo by Josh Hedges/Zuffa LLC via Getty Images
Marlon Moraes and Cory Sandhagen face off tonight (Sat. Oct. 10, 2020) in a main event Bantamweight clash from “Fight Island” inside Flash Forum on Yas Island in Abu Dhabi, United Arab Emirates. This main event carries serious title implications, as Moraes enters already ranked the division’s top contender. Another win could earn him a title shot, whereas Sandhagen was looking to return to the win column in style.
This was expected to be competitive. Instead, Sandhagen seemed to have his range and opponent’s timing almost immediately, drawing big swings out of his opponent and landing lots of low kicks and long jabs. He was in control moving into the second, when suddenly, Sandhagen flattened his foe with a spin kick.
Round One
Sandhagen lands the first low kick of the fight. One more from Sandhagen, who feints his way inside. Sandhagen landing well early with his low kicks, but Moraes chops him back with a heavy one. Moraes connects on a good right hand. Sandhagen sticks a left hook. Sandhagen finds a left hook to the body and lands a low kick. Moraes lands a big hook on the counter. Moraes lands a spinning backfist! Sandhagen scores with a jab then uppercut counter. Moraes checks a low kick. Moraes finds a home for a solid left hook. Sandhagen’s movement is on point four minutes into the round. Sandhagen rips a hard left body kick to the liver. Another one! Sandhagen lands a clean knee, eats a left hook counter. One more clean body kick from Sandhagen, though Moraes scores a takedown off it in the final few seconds of the round.
Round Two
The two immediately trade low kicks. Sandhagen scores with a solid front kick to the mid-section, nearly lands a follow up high kick. Sandhagen lands a wheel kick out of NOWHERE! Moraes falls to the mat with a roll, and this fight is OVER!
Result: Cory Sandhagen defeats Marlon Moraes via second-round knockout
For complete UFC Fight Island 5: “Moraes vs. Sandhagen” results and play-by-play, click HERE!