By the Numbers: Cory Sandhagen vs. Raphael Assuncao

The ordering process for Ultimate Fighting Championship pay-per-views has changed: UFC 241 is only available on ESPN+ in the U.S.

After a four-fight winning streak, Raphael Assuncao was stopped in a rematch by Marlon Moraes, who went on to challenge Henry Cejudo for the Ultimate Fighting Championship bantamweight strap. His quest for the belt continues, but not without tough competition. At UFC 241, a new challenge comes in the form of 5’11 Elevation Fight Team representative Cory Sandhagen. Here are some numbers you might want to take note of before the two talented bantamweights collide on Aug. 17.

Age and overall experience

Assuncao, 37, is 10 years older than Sandhagen, who celebrated his 27th birthday on April 20. Assuncao, on the other hand, was born on July 19, 1982. He has been in the game since Jan. 23, 2004 when he knocked out Chris Clark at an event called ISCF: Friday Night Fight. He fought 14 times in different promotions before getting signed by World Extreme Cagefighting, and later, the UFC. After 33 professional fights, he now holds a record of 27-6.

Sandhagen didn’t make his professional debut until four years ago, specifically on May 30, 2015 when he choked out Bruce Sessman at an event called FTW: Prize Fighting Championship 9. That sparked a winning run that saw him win a regional title. He went on to fight at Legacy Fighting Alliance, and later, the UFC. His record stands at 11-1.

Octagon appearances and current ranking

Assuncao is a 14-fight UFC veteran who is currently No. 3 in the bantamweight rankings. The Ascension MMA representative debuted with a loss to Erik Koch on March 19, 2011 at UFC 128. But Assuncao has since been exceptional, beating the likes of Moraes, Aljamain Sterling and former bantamweight king, TJ Dillashaw. His UFC record is 11-3.

Sandhagen has appeared in the Octagon only four times. Before his recent split decision victory over John Lineker, he stopped the likes of Mario Bautista, Iuri Alcantara and Austin Arnett. That’s four in a row for the Aurora, Colorado, native, who is now at 9th in the bantamweight rankings.

Win streak

The loss to Moraes was Assuncao’s last fight. Rest assured, he will do everything in his power to get back in the win column at UFC 241. Meanwhile, Sandhagen is on a six-fighting winning streak. Prior to entering the UFC, he scored two consecutive wins at LFA, stopping Luiz Antonio Lobo Gavinho and Jose Aguayo.

Stoppage rate

Sandhagen owns four wins by KO or TKO and three by submission, making for a 63 percent finishing rate. His victims outside of the UFC and LFA are Sessman and Dalton Goddard. After stopping four opponents by KO or TKO and 10 by submission, Assuncao records a 52 percent stoppage rate. His last victim was Matthew Lopez, whom he knocked out at UFC Fight Night 120.

Losses by stoppage

Out of Assuncao’s six career losses, three have come via stoppage. He was submitted by Moraes and Urijah Faber and as previously stated, knocked out by Koch. As for Sandhagen, his lone defeat was a decision to Jamall Emmers.