Hello, mixed martial artist fans! If you love following the MMA and admire world-class, Cory Sandhagen is a name you’ll recognize instantly. Cory Sandhagen is an American mixed martial artist and one of the most skilled bantamweights in the UFC, known for his high-volume striking, creativity, and toughness inside the octagon. As of 2025, he remains a top contender at 135 pounds with wins over several former champions and title challengers.
Cory Sandhagen’s Biography
| Details | Information |
| Full Name | Cory James Sandhagen |
| Nickname | “The Sandman” |
| Date of Birth | April 20, 1992 |
| Age | 33 years old |
| Nationality | American |
| Height | 5’11” (180 cm) |
| Weight (Fighting) | 135 lbs (61 kg) |
| Reach | 70″ (177.8 cm) |
| Birthplace | Aurora, Colorado, USA |
| Current Residence | Denver, Colorado, USA |
| College | University of Colorado Boulder |
| Degree | Bachelor’s in Psychology |
| Religion | Spiritual/Non-Traditional |
| Turned Professional | May 30, 2015 |
| Professional Record | 18 wins, 6 losses (18-6) |
| UFC Record | 11 wins, 5 losses in UFC |
| Current Net Worth | $1 million+ |
| Estimated Annual Salary | $500,000+ |
| Spouse | Erica Sandhagen |
| Relationship Status | Married |
| Children | N/A |
| Instagram Handle | @corysandhagenmma |
| Instagram Followers | 503,000+ |
| Fighting Division | Bantamweight |
| Stance | Switch |
| Fighting Style | Striking specialist with elite movement, boxing, kickboxing, Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu |
| Association | Elevation Fight Team (previously High Altitude Martial Arts) |
Early Career
Cory Sandhagen’s combat sports journey began at 17 when he picked up boxing gloves from Walmart instead of continuing with taekwondo, which didn’t allow punching. This simple decision sparked a trajectory that would eventually lead to UFC stardom. He immersed himself in High Altitude Martial Arts in Aurora, where coach Christian Allen became his mentor and primary influence. Beyond boxing, Sandhagen developed into an elite kickboxer, earning WKA (World Kickboxing Association) National and World Championship titles. He compiled an impressive amateur North American kickboxing record and maintained an undefeated kickboxing record before transitioning to MMA.
As an amateur MMA fighter, Sandhagen compiled a solid 4-1 record, developing the well-rounded skillset that would define his professional career. His amateur background in multiple martial arts—boxing, kickboxing, and Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu (eventually reaching brown belt level under Easton BJJ)—gave him exceptional fundamentals.
Professional Career
Cory Sandhagen made his professional MMA debut on May 30, 2015, at Prize FC 9, submitting Bruce Sessman with a rear-naked choke in just 1 minute and 16 seconds of round one. This explosive start set the tone for what would become a rapid rise through the regional MMA circuit. From 2015 to early 2018, he fought across multiple promotions including RFA (Regional Fighting Alliance), LFA (Legacy Fighting Alliance), SCL (Sparta Combat League), and Paramount MMA, compiling a 6-1 record at the regional level. During this period, he won the SCL Featherweight Championship and continued developing his striking while honing his wrestling and submission game.
Throughout his UFC career, Sandhagen has demonstrated elite striking precision, excellent footwork, and remarkable fight IQ. His losses to elite competition (Sterling, TJ Dillashaw, Petr Yan, Umar Nurmagomedov, and Merab Dvalishvili) have come against some of the division’s best. Yet his victories over quality opponents show his championship-level potential.
His evolution continued through 2023-2024 with dominant decision victories over Marlon Vera and Rob Font, establishing him as a consistent top contender. In May 2025, he delivered a dominant performance against former two-time flyweight champion Deiveson Figueiredo, winning via TKO due to knee injury, earning a Performance of the Night bonus and securing his first UFC title shot at UFC 320 against Merab Dvalishvili.
Wife
Cory Sandhagen is happily married to Erica Sandhagen, his longtime girlfriend turned wife. Their relationship began on October 17, 2018, when they officially started dating. The couple quickly became inseparable, sharing a passion for outdoor activities including hiking and trekking with their pet dog across scenic Colorado destinations. For years, they were frequently seen together on social media celebrating their relationship milestones.
Cory Sandhagen’s Net Worth Details
As of 2026, Cory Sandhagen’s estimated net worth stands at approximately $1 million to $1.5 million. This wealth has been accumulated through multiple revenue streams extending far beyond his UFC base salary. His disclosed UFC career earnings total approximately $666,300 from fight purses alone, though his recent title shot and endorsement deals have significantly increased his annual income.
income sources
- UFC Fight Earnings: Sandhagen earns substantial base salaries for UFC appearances. His guaranteed purse for the UFC 320 title fight against Merab Dvalishvili was approximately $500,000 to $1 million, with the possibility of earning significantly more through PPV points and performance bonuses. His biggest individual UFC payday came against Marlon Moraes at UFC Fight Night 179 in October 2020, where he earned $215,000 in total compensation (including $80,000 base, $80,000 win bonus, and $50,000 performance bonus).
- Sponsorship and Endorsement Deals: Sandhagen has lucrative partnerships with multiple brands. His sponsors include Venum (UFC official gear partner), DraftKings, Air National Guard, Canna River, Sheath, Drink MUDWTR, OnxLabs, and Pasture Provisions. These endorsement deals collectively bring in substantial annual income, estimated between $100,000 to $300,000 yearly.
- Business Ventures: Perhaps surprisingly, Sandhagen has become an entrepreneur. He co-owns and operates Vegain.ca, a plant-based nutrition company, and Getumbo, a functional mushroom company targeting athletes and fitness enthusiasts. These businesses provide ongoing passive income beyond his fighting career.
- Content Creation and OnlyFans: In a surprising development reported in May 2025, Sandhagen revealed he had earned over $2 million in a single month on OnlyFans, though the exact nature and frequency of this income stream remain somewhat unclear in public reporting. If accurate, this represents an enormous income source that significantly boosts his overall net worth.
- Social Media and Merchandise: With over 503,000 Instagram followers as of late 2025, Sandhagen leverages his social media presence for branded partnerships and merchandise sales, contributing additional revenue.
Fight Purses
| Event | Opponent | Result | Date | Base Salary | Win Bonus | Performance Bonus | Sponsorship | Total Payout |
| UFC 320 | Merab Dvalishvili | Loss (Unanimous Decision) | Oct 4, 2025 | $500,000+ | — | — | $32,000 (PGC) | $532,000+ |
| UFC on ESPN 67 | Deiveson Figueiredo | Win (TKO R2) | May 3, 2025 | $500,000 | — | $50,000 (POTN) | $11,000 | $561,000 |
| UFC on ABC 7 | Umar Nurmagomedov | Loss (Unanimous Decision) | Aug 3, 2024 | $200,000 | — | — | $8,000 | $208,000 |
| UFC on ESPN 50 | Rob Font | Win (Unanimous Decision) | Aug 5, 2023 | $150,000 | $150,000 | — | $7,000 | $307,000 |
| UFC on ESPN 43 | Marlon Vera | Win (Split Decision) | Mar 25, 2023 | $320,000 | $320,000 | — | $7,500 | $647,500 |
| UFC Fight Night 210 | Yadong Song | Win (TKO R4) | Sep 17, 2022 | $150,000 | $150,000 | $50,000 (POTN) | $11,000 | $361,000 |
| UFC 267 | Petr Yan | Loss (Unanimous Decision) | Oct 30, 2021 | $150,000 | — | $50,000 (FOTN) | $10,000 | $210,000 |
| UFC on ESPN 27 | T.J. Dillashaw | Loss (Split Decision) | Jul 24, 2021 | $90,000 | — | $6,000 | $6,000 | $102,000 |
| UFC Fight Night 184 | Frankie Edgar | Win (KO R1) | Feb 6, 2021 | $80,000 | $80,000 | $50,000 (POTN) | $5,000 | $215,000 |
| UFC Fight Night 179 | Marlon Moraes | Win (TKO R2) | Oct 10, 2020 | $80,000 | $80,000 | $50,000 (POTN) | $5,000 | $215,000 |
| UFC 250 | Aljamain Sterling | Loss (Submission R1) | Jun 6, 2020 | $80,000 | — | — | $5,000 | $85,000 |
| UFC 241 | Raphael Assunção | Win (Unanimous Decision) | Aug 17, 2019 | $77,000 | $77,000 | — | $4,000 | $158,000 |
| UFC Fight Night 150 | John Lineker | Win (Split Decision) | Apr 27, 2019 | $33,000 | $33,000 | — | $4,000 | $70,000 |
| UFC Fight Night 143 | Mario Bautista | Win (Submission R1) | Jan 19, 2019 | $14,000 | $14,000 | — | $3,500 | $31,500 |
| UFC Fight Night 135 | Iuri Alcântara | Win (TKO R2) | Aug 25, 2018 | $12,000 | $12,000 | $50,000 (FOTN) | $3,500 | $77,500 |
| UFC on Fox 27 | Austin Arnett | Win (TKO R2) | Jan 27, 2018 | $10,000 | $10,000 | — | $2,500 | $22,500 |
Endorsements
- Venum: Official UFC fighter gear and apparel partnership, providing fight kits and training equipment
- DraftKings: Sports betting and DFS partnership initiated in June 2025, leveraging his sports celebrity status
- Air National Guard: Military branch sponsorship highlighting American patriotism
- Canna River: CBD and cannabis wellness products, aligned with recovery and wellness lifestyle
- Sheath: Intimate wellness brand partnership
- Drink MUDWTR: Functional coffee alternative beverage brand
- OnxLabs: Sports science and training facility equipment partnership (he has been featured in their training content)
- Pasture Provisions: Premium meat and nutrition company partnership
- Vegain.ca: Co-owner and athlete endorser of his own plant-based nutrition company
- Getumbo: Co-owner of his functional mushroom company targeting athletic performance and recovery
Career Records
| Ranking | Opponent | Record (Before Fight) | Result | Method | Round/Time | Event | Date | Notes |
| 1 | Merab Dvalishvili | 16-4 | LOSS | Decision (Unanimous) | R5 5:00 | UFC 320 | Oct 4, 2025 | Title Fight |
| 2 | Deiveson Figueiredo | 17-5 | WIN | TKO (Injury) | R2 4:08 | UFC on ESPN 67 | May 3, 2025 | Former 2x Flyweight Champ |
| 3 | Umar Nurmagomedov | 17-4 | LOSS | Decision (Unanimous) | R5 5:00 | UFC on ABC 7 | Aug 3, 2024 | Title Eliminator |
| 4 | Rob Font | 17-4 | WIN | Decision (Unanimous) | R5 5:00 | UFC on ESPN 50 | Aug 5, 2023 | Catchweight Fight |
| 5 | Marlon Vera | 16-4 | WIN | Decision (Split) | R5 5:00 | UFC on ESPN 43 | Mar 25, 2023 | Quality Win |
| 6 | Yadong Song | 15-4 | WIN | TKO (Doctor Stoppage) | R4 5:00 | UFC Fight Night 210 | Sep 17, 2022 | Dominant Performance |
| 7 | Petr Yan | 14-4 | LOSS | Decision (Unanimous) | R5 5:00 | UFC 267 | Oct 30, 2021 | Interim Title Fight |
| 8 | T.J. Dillashaw | 14-3 | LOSS | Decision (Split) | R5 5:00 | UFC on ESPN 27 | Jul 24, 2021 | Former Champion |
| 9 | Frankie Edgar | 14-2 | WIN | KO (Flying Knee) | R1 0:28 | UFC Fight Night 184 | Feb 6, 2021 | Legendary Fighter/POTN |
| 10 | Marlon Moraes | 13-2 | WIN | TKO (Wheel Kick) | R2 1:03 | UFC Fight Night 179 | Oct 10, 2020 | Former Title Challenger/POTN |
| 11 | Aljamain Sterling | 12-2 | LOSS | Submission (RNC) | R1 1:28 | UFC 250 | Jun 6, 2020 | Title Eliminator |
| 12 | Raphael Assunção | 12-1 | WIN | Decision (Unanimous) | R3 5:00 | UFC 241 | Aug 17, 2019 | Quality Opponent |
| 13 | John Lineker | 11-1 | WIN | Decision (Split) | R3 5:00 | UFC Fight Night 150 | Apr 27, 2019 | Rising Contender |
| 14 | Mario Bautista | 10-1 | WIN | Submission (Armbar) | R1 3:31 | UFC Fight Night 143 | Jan 19, 2019 | Undefeated at Time |
FAQs
1. What is Cory Sandhagen’s fighting style, and what makes him unique in the bantamweight division?
Cory Sandhagen is a striking specialist who excels at distance management and footwork. His unique strength lies in his superior striking technique combined with underrated wrestling and submission skills. Standing 5’11” with a 70-inch reach, he leverages his height and reach advantage against shorter opponents. What truly sets him apart is his intelligent fight IQ—his ability to adapt gameplan mid-fight, his precision striking, and his uncanny ability to create angles. He moves in and out of striking distance with exceptional fluidity, controlling the pace of fights through position and timing rather than raw power. His boxing stance and kickboxing background give him unusual technical sophistication for an MMA fighter at bantamweight.
2. How much does Cory Sandhagen earn per UFC fight in 2025-2026?
Sandhagen’s fight earnings have escalated dramatically as his ranking improved. For his title shot at UFC 320 against Merab Dvalishvili, he received a guaranteed purse of approximately $500,000 to $1 million, plus additional sponsorship compensation worth $32,000 from the UFC’s Promotional Guidelines Compliance program. His previous fight against Deiveson Figueiredo in May 2025 guaranteed him $500,000 plus a $50,000 Performance of the Night bonus and sponsorship pay. His 2023 fight against Marlon Vera earned him $320,000 base salary plus win bonuses, totaling around $647,500. These figures exclude PPV revenue sharing that championship-level fighters receive, which could add hundreds of thousands more.
3. Is Cory Sandhagen married, and does he have any children?
Yes, Cory Sandhagen married his longtime girlfriend Erica Sandhagen on September 7, 2023. The couple dated for approximately five years before Cory proposed in Glacier National Park in 2021. They currently reside in Denver, Colorado. As of early 2026, they do not have any children together, though Cory has a strong affinity for working with children through his youth coaching and previous trauma center employment.
4. What is Cory Sandhagen’s educational background?
Sandhagen holds a Bachelor’s degree in Psychology from the University of Colorado Boulder (CU Boulder). This academic background has profoundly influenced his approach to fighting and self-improvement. He balanced college classes with intense training, often scheduling classes around his gym schedule at High Altitude Martial Arts. His psychology education has contributed to his analytical approach to fighting and his later work mentoring troubled youth at a trauma center.
5. How did Cory Sandhagen transition from basketball to MMA?
At age 17, while attending Smoky Hill High School in Aurora, Colorado, Sandhagen was a basketball player. However, he became fascinated by boxing and extreme fighting sports after watching them on television. When he discovered that his taekwondo training didn’t include punching, he made a pivotal decision: he bought boxing gloves from Walmart and walked into High Altitude Martial Arts in Aurora. There, coach Christian Allen recognized his potential and became his lifelong mentor. From boxing, Sandhagen expanded into kickboxing (where he won world championships), Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu (achieving brown belt status), and eventually MMA.
6. What was Cory Sandhagen’s biggest paycheck in UFC history?
His single largest disclosed UFC paycheck came on March 25, 2023, when he defeated Marlon Vera at UFC on ESPN 43 in San Antonio, Texas. That fight earned him a base salary of $320,000 plus win bonus bringing his total to approximately $647,500 when including smaller sponsorship fees. His title fight at UFC 320 potentially earned him $532,000+ in guaranteed money alone, potentially higher with PPV considerations.
7. What are Cory Sandhagen’s most impressive victories?
Three performances stand out: His flying knee knockout of legendary former lightweight champion Frankie Edgar in just 28 seconds at UFC Fight Night 184 in February 2021, earning him Performance of the Night honors. His devastating TKO over Marlon Moraes using a spinning wheel kick in October 2020, also earning POTN bonus. His dominant shutout performance against former two-time flyweight champion Deiveson Figueiredo at UFC on ESPN 67 in May 2025, earning him another POTN bonus and a title shot. These victories demonstrate his versatility and ability to defeat elite competition.
8. How has Cory Sandhagen’s net worth grown over his MMA career?
Sandhagen’s net worth has grown exponentially. In 2018 when he entered the UFC, his net worth was estimated at minimal levels as he was fighting for relatively small purses ($10,000-$14,000). By 2021, estimates placed his net worth around $500,000. By 2024, this had grown to approximately $1 million through consistent UFC earnings and endorsements. By 2026, his net worth likely exceeds $1 million significantly, with some estimates suggesting $1.5 million+, thanks to his title shot earnings, sponsorship deals, and business ventures like Vegain.ca and Getumbo.
9. What is Cory Sandhagen’s relationship with his gym and coaching team?
Sandhagen remains deeply connected to High Altitude Martial Arts in Aurora, Colorado, where he trained under coach Christian Allen for years. Allen served as his primary mentor and continues to influence his career. As his career progressed, he began working with Elevation Fight Team while maintaining his roots. For his recent fights, he’s worked with highly respected coaching minds including Carrington Banks and Trevor Wittman, who helped refine his approach ahead of his title shot. He’s also given back to his community by coaching the youth kickboxing program at High Altitude and mentoring young fighters.
10. What are Cory Sandhagen’s career goals beyond fighting, and what is his dream job?
Beyond his UFC career, Sandhagen has expressed multiple ambitions. Despite his psychology degree and experience working at a trauma center for children, his dream job might surprise fans: he’s openly stated he fantasizes about becoming a comic book writer. He has also shown entrepreneurial drive through his business ventures with Vegain.ca and Getumbo. He seems committed to establishing a life beyond fighting through education, mentoring, business development, and creative pursuits. His philosophy reflects his psychology background—understanding that fighters need identity and purpose beyond the octagon.