The UFC’s International Fight Week event has added a pivotal bantamweight matchup.
Multiple people with knowledge of the promotion’s plans confirmed to MMA Fighting that recent title challenger Cory Sandhagen is set to face Mario Bautista in a rematch at UFC 329, which takes place July 11 in Las Vegas. MagicM first reported on Twitter.
Sandhagen submitted Bautista in their first meeting at UFC on ESPN+ 1 in January 2019, with Bautista stepping in on short notice to replace John Lineker. Sandhagen has
dropped two of three, and is 4-2 in his past six bouts, including a decision loss to then-champ Merab Dvalishvili at UFC 320 this past October. Prior to that, Sandhagen earned himself a championship opportunity in a lopsided stoppage win over Deiveson Figueiredo in the main event of UFC Des Moines in May 2025.
Since the debut loss to Sandhagen, Bautista has picked up victories in 11 of 13. After having his eight-fight win streak snapped by Umar Nurmagomedov at UFC 321 this past October, the 32-year-old stopped Vinicius Oliveira in the main event of February’s UFC Vegas 113 fight card.
Damon Martin contributed to this report.
