Cory Sandhagen has stormed through the UFC’s bantamweight division with jaw-dropping knockouts, slick footwork, and a growing list of Performance-of-the-Night bonuses. Off-camera, he balances part-time work at a children’s trauma center, business ventures, and a happy marriage, all while negotiating UFC contracts that reflect his status as one of the sport’s top strikers.
This article covers his background, rise through regional promotions, UFC milestones, personal life, earnings, endorsements, and detailed fight stats.
Cory Sandhagen’s Biography
| Full Name | Cory James Sandhagen |
|---|---|
| Date of Birth | April 20, 1992 |
| Age | 33 |
| Education | University of Colorado Boulder |
| Nationality | American |
| Height | 5 ft 11 in (1.80 m) |
| Weight | 135 lb (61 kg) |
| Turned Pro | 2015 |
| Net Worth | $1 million |
| Salary/Career Earnings | Approx. $500,000/yr base; total fight earnings $666,300+ |
| Wife | Erica Sandhagen (née Ueda) |
| @corysandhagenmma | |
| @SandhagenMMA |
Early Career
Cory Sandhagen’s journey began in Aurora, Colorado, where he played basketball throughout middle and high school. While the court provided athletic foundation, martial arts truly captured his imagination. He started taekwondo as a child, honing discipline and explosive kicks.
Frustrated by limits on punching techniques, he transitioned to kickboxing, eventually earning a world title under the World Kickboxing Association. Those early striking credentials became his trademark in every cage he’d enter.
After a 3–1 amateur MMA stint featuring disciplined striking and courageous finishes, Sandhagen took the leap to professional mixed martial arts in May 2015. His debut came at FTW 9, where he applied a slick rear-naked choke in the first round.
That initial victory showcased more than just power; it hinted at adaptability and submission savvy. Sandhagen returned to FTW as a featherweight three more times, mixing triangle chokes and crisp stand-up to build momentum.
He signed with Legacy Fighting Alliance (LFA), one of North America’s top developmental promotions. Sandhagen rattled off two first-round TKOs and a unanimous decision before returning briefly to regional cards, where he claimed the Sparta Combat League featherweight crown.
His success in these early bouts earned him an invitation to UFC tryouts, and by early 2018, the Sandman secured a contract with the premier MMA organization. Each strike, each takedown defense, and each finish at this stage laid the groundwork for a UFC career defined by versatility and explosiveness.
Professional Career
Cory Sandhagen’s UFC debut arrived in January 2018 at UFC on Fox 27 against Austin Arnett. He delivered a second-round TKO that combined precise boxing combinations with sudden knees, electrifying the audience and earning a Performance of the Night bonus.
Four months later, he dropped to bantamweight and extinguished veteran Iuri Alcântara via TKO, further cementing his reputation as a dynamic striker capable of ending fights at any moment.
Sandhagen’s ascent continued with submission wins and decision victories over the likes of Mario Bautista, John Lineker, and Raphael Assunção. His growing resume highlighted diverse skills: flying knees, spinning kicks, wrestling defense, and submission escapes.
A pivotal moment came at UFC 250 in June 2020, when Aljamain Sterling caught him in a rear-naked choke less than two minutes into the fight. Though the loss exposed his grappling margin, it ignited a relentless drive for improvement.
He head-lined UFC Fight Night against Marlon Moraes and unleashed a spinning wheel kick for a TKO win. A few months later, he ended Frankie Edgar’s storied career with a 28-second flying-knee knockout, marking the second-fastest flying-knee finish in UFC history. Both performances garnered hefty bonuses and spotlighted Sandhagen as a top contender.
Wife
Cory Sandhagen he married longtime partner Erica Ueda on September 7, 2023, sharing the news on social media with joyful photos from their ceremony. Erica, a physiology graduate and former recovery specialist, offers emotional support and insights into injury prevention and recovery.
As of 2025, the couple has no children, but Sandhagen often credits childhood work at a pediatric trauma center for instilling compassion and perspective beyond the fight game.
Cory Sandhagen’s Net Worth Details
Cory Sandhagen’s net worth is estimated to be $1 million as of 2025.
Fight Purses
| Year | Event / Opponent | Total Earnings |
|---|---|---|
| 2018 | vs Iuri Alcântara | $77,500 |
| 2019 | vs Mario Bautista | $31,500 |
| 2019 | vs John Lineker | $70,000 |
| 2019 | vs Raphael Assunção | $158,000 |
| 2020 | vs Aljamain Sterling | $85,000 |
| 2020 | vs Marlon Moraes | $215,000 |
| 2021 | vs Frankie Edgar | $215,000 |
| 2021 | vs T. J. Dillashaw | $96,000 |
| 2021 | vs Petr Yan | $232,000 |
| 2022 | vs Song Yadong | $311,000 |
| 2023 | vs Marlon Vera | $320,000 |
Endorsements
Sandhagen’s growing profile has attracted partnerships with brands like Canna River, Slatemilk, Vegain (his own plant-based nutrition line), and Umbo (functional mushrooms). He also collaborates with MMA academies to offer striking tutorials via OnlyFans and social platforms. These endorsements, combined with performance bonuses, round out a diversified income that supports his training and family life.
MMA Career Statistics
| Statistic | Detail |
|---|---|
| Professional Record | 18–5–0 |
| Knockout Wins | 8 |
| Submission Wins | 3 |
| Decision Wins | 7 |
| Submission Losses | 1 |
| Decision Losses | 4 |
| Reach | 69½ in (177 cm) |
| Fighting Out Of | Aurora, Colorado |
| Team | Forge Fight Club |
| Rank in BJJ | Brown belt under Eliot Marshall |
| UFC Bantamweight Ranking | 2 |
FAQs
1. What is Cory Sandhagen’s net worth?
Cory Sandhagen’s net worth is estimated at around $1 million. His earnings stem from UFC purses, fight bonuses, sponsorship deals, and his own business ventures in sports nutrition and instructional content.
2. When did Sandhagen start his MMA career?
Sandhagen began training martial arts as a child with taekwondo, switched to kickboxing and competed as an amateur MMA fighter. He turned professional in May 2015 and made his UFC debut in January 2018.
3. What fighting style does Sandhagen use?
Sandhagen combines a kickboxing background with Brazilian jiu-jitsu skills, holding a brown belt under Eliot Marshall. His style emphasizes dynamic striking-flying knees, spinning kicks-and solid wrestling defense to control distance.
4. Who is Erica Sandhagen and what role does she play?
Cory’s wife and longtime partner, married in September 2023. As a physiology graduate and recovery specialist, she supports his training, helps manage recovery and provides emotional balance between camps and fights.
5. What are Cory Sandhagen’s notable UFC achievements?
Sandhagen has earned multiple bonuses: two Fight of the Night and three Performance of the Night awards. He holds the second-fastest flying-knee finish in UFC history and has head-lined several cards, marking him as one of the division’s top contenders.
