Cory Sandhagen (image via UFC/YouTube)

By FCF Staff

Officially, Cory Sandhagen was returned to the loss column by T.J. Dillashaw at UFC Vegas 32. But, the bantamweight contender believes he did enough to be awarded the fight.

Sandhagen battled Dillashaw in the main event of Saturday’s card, which marked the first time since 2019 that the latter had fought. Sandhagen landed 128 significant strikes to Dillashaw’s 110, and bloodied the former champ.

Following the disappointing loss, Sandhagen outlined why he thought he won the contest (quotes via MMA Junkie).

“I know I had him hurt more times than me,” Sandhagen said. “I think I was landing the way cleaner shots. I was picking him apart. I guess I should’ve done more. That’s on me. … I told myself I was winning the fifth round. I thought that I did. I don’t know. What can you do? I thought I made really good adjustments as the fight was going on. What can you do? I guess I’ll learn from it. I’ll still be world champ. I’ll still do all the things I said I was going to do. I just have got to learn and get better, I guess.”

In addition, the 29-year-old made it clear he’s still more than confident in his abilities.

“I don’t want to be a little whiny baby,” Sandhagen said. “I’m going to take it. I’m going to get better from it. That’s what I’m going to do, and I’m still going to win a world championship hopefully still next year.”

Sandhagen (14-3) was coming off back-to-back, stopped wins over Marlon Moraes and Frankie Edgar.