Cory Sandhagen dominates Marlon Vera in split decision win

It's not easy to stand out in the UFC's absolutely stacked 135-pound bantamweight division, but Cory Sandhagen is finding a way to do just that.

Sandhagen (16-4) was brilliant over the course of a five-round split decision over Marlon «Chito» Vera (22-8-1) on Saturday, in the main event of UFC Fight Night in San Antonio. Two judges scored it convincingly for Sandhagen, via scores of 50-45 and 49-46. A third judge inexplicably scored it 48-47 in favor of Vera.

Despite the split result, there was virtually no question Sandhagen had won — dominantly. According to UFC Stats, he out-landed Vera in total strikes 193 to 71 and converted three takedowns. Vera's own coach, Jason Parillo, pleaded with his fighter to turn it up in the late rounds, acknowledging he was down on the scorecards.

"[The strategy was to] win the early rounds and then know he was going to come at me," Sandhagen said. «I knew that was going to happen. So, I took him down early and moved my ass around in [rounds] three, four and five. That's how you beat Chito. Chito is a good fighter.»

In addition to praising Vera, Sandhagen called for a No. 1 contender fight against Merab Dvalishvili (16-4), who is on a nine-fight win streak.

«I would feel so slimy if I asked for a title shot before Merab,» Sandhagen said. «Merab is an absolute animal. I respect him a ton. I want that No. 1 spot. Merab, you're hungry, I got something for you to eat and it don't taste good.»

Sandhagen, who fights out of Denver, executed his game plan to a tee against the always dangerous Vera. He took Vera down in the first and second rounds and racked up offense with elbows from top position. As Vera tried to grow more aggressive in the later rounds, he used feints, footwork and takedowns