Mario Bautista expects 'completely different fight' against Cory Sandhagen at UFC 329

Mario
Bautista has a chance to settle the score with Cory
Sandhagen and recently revealed how the upcoming rematch will
contrast with their first bout.

Bautista suffered the first loss of his professional career in his

Ultimate Fighting Championship debut against Sandhagen seven
years ago. He expects a “completely different fight” when they
collide at
UFC 329 on Saturday, July 11 at T-Mobile Arena in Las
Vegas.

Mario Bautista stresses key factor going into Cory Sandhagen
rematch

Bautista lost to Sandhagen via a first-round armbar submission in
their first meeting back in 2019. “I feel from that point to this
point, we’ve grown so much, both of us,” Bautista said during UFC
329 media day. “I have gone through so much… So, I expect a
completely different fight this time.”

Bautista believes experience is the biggest difference between the
two meetings.

“Experience, as far as like, fighting big names,” he answered when
asked about the rematch. Highlighting his stellar win streak
between 2022 and 2025, the 33-year-old added, “I went on an
eight-fight win streak… Fought big names like Jose Aldo,
Patchy
Mix.”

Sandhagen is coming off a failed championship bid against Merab
Dvalishvili in October of last year. Meanwhile, Bautista
successfully bounced back from his loss to Umar
Nurmagomedov by defeating Vinicius
Oliveira this past February.

“We’ve grown so much, both of
us.”

Mario
Bautista (@Bautista_mma)
is excited to get another crack at Cory
Sandhagen more than seven years after their first matchup.

How To Watch #UFC329
➡️: https://t.co/8hweKmNBEY

Fight by Fight Preview ➡️: https://t.co/lvHfeifk9cpic.twitter.com/Vkuddu1RiE— UFC News
(@UFCNews)
July 8, 2026

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