The UFC APEX facility in Las Vegas will host the promotion for a second straight weekend, as UFC on ESPN 27 is set for Saturday night. Cory Sandhagen will meet former two-time UFC Bantamweight champ T.J. Dillashaw for the headliner. Dillashaw returns to the Octagon for the first time since getting a two-year ban for his positive EPO test. Macy Chiasson and Aspen Ladd will clash in a women’s bantamweight tilt for the co-main event.
We have the full fight card for you, as well as UFC betting thoughts about some of the key matchups.
UFC on ESPN 27: Sandhagen vs Dillashaw Preview
Main Card (ESPN / ESPN+)
Cory Sandhagen vs T.J. Dillashaw (Bantamweight)
Aspen Ladd vs Macy Chiasson (Women’s Bantamweight)
Kyler Phillips vs Raulian Paiva (Bantamweight)
Darren Elkins vs Darrick Minner (Featherweight)
Miranda Maverick vs Maycee Barber (Women’s Flyweight)
Mickey Gall vs Jordan Williams (Welterweight)
Preliminary Card (ESPN / ESPN+)
Punahele Soriano vs Brendan Allen (Middleweight)
Nassourdine Imavov vs Ian Heinisch (Middleweight)
Randy Costa vs Adrian Yanez (Bantamweight)
Julio Arce vs Andre Ewell (Bantamweight)
Sijara Eubanks vs Elise Reed (Women’s Flyweight)
Diana Belbita vs Hannah Goldy (Women’s Flyweight)
Cory Sandhagen vs T.J. Dillashaw gives us Dillashaw’s first fight after that two-year ban. Dillashaw comes in without a tune-up bout against one of the top fighters in the division. Sandhagen has delivered finishes in his last two fights, stopping both Marlon Moraes and onetime lightweight champ Frankie Edgar in dramatic fashion.
The here will liwinnerkely get a title shot. Dillashaw lost his last fight, getting stopped by Henry Cejudo.
In Dillashaw’s lengthy absence, the likes of Rob Font, Aljamain Sterling and Petr Yan have joined Sandhagen as the elite of the bantamweight division in UFC, and Dillashaw is looking for his chance to join them. He brings fluidity, grace and movement to the fight, and so he is a dangerous opponent on multiple fronts. He has the footwork to play defense and apply pressure, and he has the sort of knockout power that can make opponents pay. In July 2014, we saw this when he delivered a TKO win over Renan Barao in upset fashion, taking the bantamweight belt.
Sandhagen is also fluid but has zan awkward style. Sandhagen is primarily a striker, but he has also done well when the fight heads to the ground. He lost to Aljamain Sterling via submission in June 2020. His height and reach are outliers for bantamweights, and with the two consecutive finishes he has delivered, he looks ready for the title shot that would come after this win. Sandhagen has the stamina to win if this goes the full five rounds, but he could also finish things earlier.
Final Prediction:
Sandhagen wins via decision
Aspen Ladd vs Macy Chiasson is a very competitive match. Both of these fighters are terrific strikers, although Ladd has enough power — she has six knockouts on her resume already. Chiasson has a height and a reach advantage of three inches apiece, but if Ladd can figure out Chiasson’s timing and slide in to take advantage, she could deliver the finish. However, if Chiasson can maintain the jab and keep Ladd away, then Ladd could suffer.
It would not surprise me to see the fight take on both of these dynamics at different times. Chiasson will use her jab and calf kicks to fend off Ladd. However, Ladd will land enough stunners and do enough damage to make this an interesting story on the cards.
If Chiasson can win, this would shake up the women’s bantamweight rankings. She would not earn a shot right away but would draw a top-five fighter next time. Ladd is still young within her MMA trajectory and will keep on improving. She is just 26 years old and has not entered the Octagon since December 2019. Chiasson has the technique to get this done, but Ladd’s power should turn the tide and give her the points.
Final Prediction:
Ladd wins via decision
UFC Betting Odds
Love betting on the UFC fights? | Xbet Sportsbook offers up to date UFC lines
