In a bantamweight bout in Saturday’s main event, Cory Sandhagen and TJ Dillashaw meet at UFC on ESPN 27 at the UFC’s APEX Facility in Las Vegas. Below, we analyze the UFC on ESPN 27 Sandhagen vs. Dillashaw odds and lines, with picks and predictions.
The prelims start at 4 p.m. ET on ESPN/ESPN+, with the main card starting at 7 p.m. ET.
Sandhagen bounced back from a first-round submission loss to Aljamain Sterling at UFC 250, with a pair of KO/TKO victories against Marlon Moraes and Frankie Edgar. He needed just 28 seconds to dispose of Edgar last time out. Since arriving at the UFC level, he has seven wins in eight fights, including a 4-0 mark via KO/TKO and 1-1 record in submissions.
Dillashaw was dropped in 32 seconds in a title fight against Henry Cejudo last time out. To make matters worse, Dillashaw used a banned substance to prepare for that fight, and he was suspended for two years by the U.S. Anti-Doping Agency. That fight against Cejudo was for the flyweight belt, and he voluntarily gave up his bantamweight title rather than being stripped.
Dillashaw wanted a title shot in his return, but the UFC offered up a top-five opponent in the main event instead.
UFC on ESPN 27: Sandhagen vs. Dillashaw: Odds and lines
Odds via BetMGM; access USA TODAY Sports’ betting odds for a full list. Lines last updated at 1:35 p.m. ET.
- Fight result (2-way line): Sandhagen -225 (bet $225 to win $100) | Dillashaw +175 (bet $100 to win $175)
- Over/Under: 2.5 rounds (Over +100 | Under -120)
- Will the fight go the distance? (Yes +240 | No -300)
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UFC on ESPN 27 Sandhagen vs. Dillashaw: Odds, lines, predictions and picks
Records: Sandhagen 14-2-0 | Dillashaw 17-4-0
Fight result (2-way line or money line)
Sandhagen looks to welcome back Dillashaw with a loss. He stands 5 inches taller than the challenger and has a three-inch reach advantage. In addition, he is in a rhythm, blowing past top-notch talent like Edgar and Moraes in recent fights.
Dillashaw might have some rust, and it remains to be seen how hungry he is after such a long layoff. We just don’t know what we’re getting from the disgraced former champ.
As such, playing SANDHAGEN BY KO/TKO, DQ OR SUBMISSION (+125) at plus-money is a much better play. Hopefully, he is able to grab the finish.
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Over/Under (O/U)
We’ll get an early idea of Dillashaw’s cardio and fight, and I am thinking there is going to be quite a bit of rust. He is stepping back into the octagon in a high-profile event after a 30-month layoff.
UNDER 3.5 ROUNDS (-165) is the most reasonable estimate for this fight. While Dillashaw might take it slow while feeling out Sandhagen and himself in the early going, he isn’t likely to go all the way. It would be a major upset if Dillashaw were able to go long into the night after such a long hiatus.
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