Rob Font and Cory Sandhagen each needed new opponents, and they’ve found one in each other.
In addition to Sandhagen’s original opponent Umar Nurmagomedov withdrawing from the Aug. 5 main event in Nashville, Font’s original UFC 292 opponent, Song Yadong, is out of their matchup Aug. 19 in Boston for undisclosed reasons.
With UFC on ESPN 50, the Aug. 5 card in Nashville, needing a new headliner, Font has stepped up and will fight Sandhagen weeks earlier than he initially expected to compete. The bout will be contested at a contracted weight of 140 pounds.
Two people with knowledge of the matchup confirmed the booking to MMA Junkie but asked to remain anonymous as the promotion has yet to make an official announcement. ESPN first reported the news Thursday.
Font (20-6 MMA, 10-5 UFC) looks to turn a solo win into a two-fight streak. At UFC 287, Font knocked out Adrian Yanez. The win snapped a two-fight skid that included decision losses to Marlon Vera and Jose Aldo.
Sandhagen (16-4 MMA, 9-3 UFC) has won back-to-back fights following two consecutive failed title bids. Since championship losses to T.J. Dillashaw and Petr Yan, Sandhagen has defeated Yadong and Marlon Vera.
With the change, the UFC on ESPN 50 lineup includes:
- Cory Sandhagen vs. Rob Font
- Jessica Andrade vs. Tatiana Suarez
- Said Nurmagomedov vs. Kyler Phillips
- Ion Cutelaba vs. Ovince Saint Preux
- Ignacio Bahamondes vs. Ludovit Klein
- Damon Jackson vs. Billy Quarantillo
- Dustin Jacoby vs. Kennedy Nzechukwu
- Asu Almabaev vs. Ode Osbourne
- Cody Durden vs. Jake Hadley
- Jesse Butler vs. Sean Woodson
- Diego Lopes vs. Gavin Tucker
- Tanner Boser vs. Aleksa Camur
- Carlston Harris vs. Jeremiah Wells
For more on the card, visit MMA Junkie’s event hub for UFC on ESPN 50.
Rob Font steps into UFC Nashville main event vs. Cory Sandhagen after Umar Nurmagomedov’s withdrawal