Petr Yan vs. Cory Sandhagen is one of the main card highlights for UFC 267 betting on October 30 from the Etihad Arena in Abu Dhabi.
This bout will be for the interim bantamweight title, with the winner moving on to face current champ Aljamain Sterling in a unification bout. UFC betting lines opened with Yan as a -220 favorite before sliding to -250, while Sandhagen is the underdog at +200.
Here are our best free Yan vs. Sandhagen picks and predictions for UFC 267 on Saturday, October 30.
Yan vs Sandhagen fight odds
Live odds courtesy of the Covers Line, an average comprised of odds from multiple sportsbooks.
Yan vs Sandhagen method of victory odds
| Method of Victory | Petr Yan | Cory Sandhagen |
|---|---|---|
| To win by KO/TKO | +220 | +600 |
| To win by Points | +150 | +450 |
| To win by Submission | +1,800 | +1,400 |
| Draw | +5,000 | +5,000 |
Odds courtesy of FanDuel Sportsbook as of October 24, 2021.
Yan vs Sandhagen pick
Click on each pick to jump to the full analysis.
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Yan vs Sandhagen betting preview
Petr Yan was originally scheduled to face Sterling in a rematch for the bantamweight title. Yan previously claimed the vacant 135-pound championship with a dominating performance against Jose Aldo but during his first title defense in March he lost it to Sterling via disqualification. Yan was in control of the fight at the time, walking down Sterling with strikes and also outwrestling him, but illegally kneed him when he was downed near the end of the fourth round.
Prior to that loss, the Russian had won 10 straight fights, including seven in a row since joining the UFC in 2018. The 28-year-old has some of the cleanest boxing in the promotion, with extremely polished footwork, crisp combos, and power in his hands.
Cory "The Sandman" Sandhagen is the No. 3-ranked bantamweight contender and is also coming off a loss under interesting circumstances — he lost by split decision to former champ T.J. Dillashaw in July, although 17 of 23 media outlets graded him as the winner.
Prior to that defeat, The Sandman had gone 9-1 in his previous 10 fights with the lone loss coming against Sterling. The 29-year-old is a long and athletic fighter that combines dynamic striking on his feet with dangerous ground and pound.
Yan vs Sandhagen tale of the tape
| Petr Yan | Cory Sandhagen | |
|---|---|---|
| 28 | Age | 29 |
| 5-foot-7 | Height | 5-foot-11 |
| 135 lbs | Weight | 136 lbs |
| 67 inches | Reach | 70 inches |
| 15-2-0 (7 KO) | Record | 14-3-0 (6 KO) |
Yan vs Sandhagen UFC prediction and betting pick
Sandhagen outright (+200)
Yan's pressure could pose problems for Sandhagen and his wrestling ability is another wrinkle to consider but the Sandman also has the tools to hurt Yan.
Sandhagen has a speed and reach advantage and can throw strikes from a variety of different angles. He also likes to attack the body and disrupt the timing of his opponents with jabs right up the middle, both options which could be available with Yan's high guard defense.
Another factor to keep in mind is that while Yan's striking is very accurate, he often doesn't throw too much right out of the gate and tends to be more methodical and patient in his approach. Sandhagen lands 6.32 significant strikes per minute and that high volume could win him some early rounds.
Although Yan is deservedly the favorite in this fight, this matchup is closer than the line suggests, which has us backing the underdog.
Sandhagen by KO/TKO (+600)
Yan has never been finished in his career and has only been knocked down once in eight UFC fights but this is worth a sprinkle at this price. Sandhagen has rare power for the weight class and six of his last nine wins have come by KO/TKO. That includes a pair of highlight-reel knockout victories against Marlon Moraes and Frankie Edgar within the last 12 months.
Keep in mind that Sterling actually had a 44-24 edge in significant strikes in the first two rounds against Yan and while he was hitting him with pitter-patter attacks that didn't do much, Sandhagen is capable of far more damage when he lands.
Yan actually ate two flying knees to the face from Sterling and if The Sandman does the same it might be off to Never Never Land for the former champ.
Fight to go the distance - No (-104)
Sandhagen isn't the only guy who can put opponents to sleep. Five of Yan's previous eight wins have come by KO/TKO and he seems to hit harder as the fight goes on. One of Yan's biggest strengths is his ability to fight under control and conserve his gas tank, enabling him to unload in the later stages.
If Sandhagen doesn't get an early finish, Yan could overwhelm him with strikes in the later rounds. Either way, with the striking ability and power of these two we don't see this bout lasting the full 25 minutes.
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