Mario Bautista sends warning to Cory Sandhagen ahead of UFC 329 rematch: ‘I don’t think it’s a good idea for him’

Mario Bautista is excited to get the chance to right the wrong of his UFC debut.

Bautista stepped up on short notice in his debut back in January of 2019 against Cory Sandhagen, and he suffered a first-round submission loss. Since then, the two have both become title contenders, but since the loss, Bautista knew he and Sandhagen were bound to meet again.

“Yeah, we knew, kind of looking at the rankings and the way the bantameight division has shaken out. It kind of left only him and him available,” Bautista said on Just Scrap Radio on BJPENN.com. “International Fight Week, easy yes for sure. … It’s going to be a huge card with Conor being on it, his return, it brings more attention to the rest of the fighters on the card. …

“I know I’d see him again; I knew our paths would cross again eventually. I’ve said for years I want to get that Cory Sandhagen fight back, and now we are here. … I don’t look back at it or analyze it. We are completely different fighters, me especially. I was young back then, as far as being a pro, I’ve grown so much. It’s going to be a completely different fight this time.”

Once the UFC officially offered him the Sandhagen rematch, Bautista jumped at the chance to take it.

Although Bautista was submitted by Sandhagen seven years ago, he doesn’t think Sandhagen should try to grapple with him again. Instead, he believes that if Sandhagen tries to wrestle, the result will be flipped, and it will be Bautista getting a submission win.

Mario Bautista is expecting a high-paced fight at UFC 329

“I hope he does. If he does, I’m not letting go of him, and I don’t think it’s a good idea for him. He’s a smart fighter, and I don’t see him doing it. But I’m prepared if he does,” Bautista said.

Ultimately, Mario Bautista is expecting a difficult and high-paced fight. But, he’s confident he has improved much more since their first fight and will be able to get his hand raised.

“I think it will be super high-paced; it’s a three-round fight,” Bautista said. “He will be moving, doing what Cory does. I have to make it an MMA fight; I can’t be in a striking fight with him for all three rounds, that’s not good for him. I have to get things going right away.”

If Bautista gets his hand raised, he believes he could find himself in a No. 1 contender fight later this year.

“If I go out there and finish Cory, I’m in title contention, if not the No. 1 spot. It says a lot if you get a win over Sandhagen,” Bautista concluded.

Do you think Mario Bautista will beat Cory Sandhagen at UFC 329?