UFC Nashville Results: Sandhagen smothers Font; Suarez finishes Andrade

When the UFC Nashville results rolled in, Cory Sandhagen solidified his position as one of the top contenders in the bantamweight division. Tatiana Suarez did the same in the strawweight division, continuing her undefeated climb towards the title.

UFC Nashville: Sandhagen vs. Font took place on Saturday at Bridgestone Arena in Nashville, Tenn.

Cory Sandhagen dominated Rob Font, smothering him for five rounds

Sandhagen entered the fight ranked No. 4 in the UFC bantamweight division, having won back-to-back bouts. He really needed a victory to put himself back in the title picture after having lost in his bid for the interim bantamweight belt to Petr Yan in 2021.

In a similar position, Font, ranked No. 7 in the division, rebounded from back-to-back losses with a win over Adrien Yanez in April of this year. Wanting to make a move on the title himself, Font badly needed an impressive victory over Sandhagen.

It would be Sandhagen that took control of the fight from bell to bell to route a very tough Font, who wouldn’t be put away.

Round one was a strong opening effort from Sandhagen, who scored on multiple takedown attempts, as he would throughout the fight.

Font managed his disadvantage well, returning the fight to the feet, where he outmatched Sandhagen with his crisp jab and punch combinations. But it wasn’t something he could maintain for any length of time throughout the bout.

As close as round one may have been, Sandhagen routed Font in round two. He scored a quick takedown and kept Font on his back throughout the round. Font defended well, so it was difficult for Sandhagen to do much damage, but he controlled position the entire round.

The third frame was a repeat of round two with Sandhagen putting Font back on the mat, controlling, but doing little damage, as he continued to wear on Font throughout the majority of the frame.

Font returned the fight to standing in the final 30 seconds of round three, but Sandhagen landed another switch knee to close out another dominant five minutes.

Wash. Rinse. Repeat.

Another quick Sandhagen takedown obviously frustrated Font, who couldn’t stop the takedowns, and couldn’t find a way to mount any effective offense. Try as Font might to regain his feet, Sandhagen was just too effective at maintaining control and smothering him.

“Sterling, O’Malley, I’ll see you guys in Boston. I got next. Who else can I ask for?” – Cory Sandhagen

Sandhagen completely controlled the entire fight from bell to bell, earning 50-45 nods from all three judges. But he knew it wasn’t the exciting fight that fans wanted.

“I wanted to put a more exciting fight on, but I’ve been dealing with a little bit of an elbow problem and I think I tore my triceps. I know, boo away,” he told the Nashville fans.

Sandhagen now turns his attention to the Aug. 19 title fight between UFC bantamweight champion Aljamain Sterling and challenger Sean O’Malley at UFC 292 in Boston.

“Sterling, O’Malley, I’ll see you guys in Boston. I got next. Who else can I ask for?”

Sights set on the title 🏆@CorySandhagen wants the #UFC292 winner after his performance at #UFCNashville! pic.twitter.com/tDvmAiNrCg

— UFC (@ufc) August 6, 2023

Tatiana Suarez continues strawweight climb, subs former champ Jessica Andrade

Tatiana Suarez entered her UFC Nashville bout with Jessica Andrade with a spotless 9-0 record. She did not leave the fight that way. Instead, she exited with a perfect 10-0 record with an impressive finish of the former strawweight champion.

Andrade started strong, but eventually was taken to the canvas by Suarez, who dominated position. Andrade eventually returned the fight to standing, but Suarez maintained head control, punishing Andrade with knees along the cage.

Round one closed with Andrade escaping and landing several punch combinations, but her success wouldn’t last.

In the second frame, Suarez dominated, taking Andrade to the canvas and immediately securing side control. Andrade again escaped to her feet, but Suarez returned her to the canvas, locked on a guillotine, and a short time later, the former champ was tapping out.

Not only did Suarez, who was ranked No. 10 in the strawweight division coming into the fight, earn her tenth victory, she was also awarded her jiu-jitsu black belt.

“I absolutely believe I have the tools to be a two-division champion.” – Tatiana Suarez

“I have an array of submissions. I fell in love with jiu-jitsu when I made the transition over to MMA,” she said after submitting Andrade.

“Today, I just wanted to show a well-rounded fighter. I’m not content with what happened here tonight … I want to be the world champion.”

And she’s not content solely with becoming a world champion. Suarez wants to claim gold in two divisions, fully believing she is more than capable.

“I absolutely believe I have the tools to be a two-division champion.”

STILL UNDEFEATED!!!!!!@TatianaUFC is a problem for everyone in the division 😳 #UFCNashville pic.twitter.com/rf7jFTKDr8

— UFC (@ufc) August 6, 2023

UFC Nashville: Sandhagen vs. Font full results

UFC Nashville Main Card Results

• Catchweight (140 lb): Cory Sandhagen def. Rob Font via unanimous decision (50-45, 50-45, 50-45)

• Women’s Strawweight: Tatiana Suarez def. Jessica Andrade via submission (guillotine choke) at 1:31, R2    

• Light Heavyweight: Dustin Jacoby def. Kennedy Nzechukwu via TKO (punches) at 1:22, R1    

• Featherweight: Diego Lopes def. Gavin Tucker via submission (armbar) at 1:38, R!  

• Light Heavyweight: Tanner Boser def. Aleksa Camur via unanimous decision (30–27, 30–27, 30–27)    

• Lightweight: Ľudovít Klein def. Ignacio Bahamondes via unanimous decision (30–27, 29–28, 29–28)

UFC Nashville Preliminary Card Results    

• Bantamweight: Kyler Phillips def. Raoni Barcelos via unanimous decision (30–27, 29–28, 29–28)

• Welterweight: Carlston Harris def. Jeremiah Wells via submission (Anaconda choke) at 1:50, R3

• Featherweight: Billy Quarantillo def.. Damon Jackson via unanimous decision (29-28, 29-28, 29-28)

• Catchweight (146.5 lb): Sean Woodson def. Dennis Buzukja via unanimous decision (30–27, 30–27, 30–27)   

• Flyweight: Cody Durden def. Jake Hadley via unanimous decision (30-27, 30-27, 30-27)   

• Flyweight: Assu Almabayev def. Ode’ Osborne via submission (rear-naked choke) at 3:11, R2