The Ultimate Fighting Championship (UFC) will present an intriguing event on Saturday, May 3: UFC Fight Night: Sandhagen vs. Figueiredo/UFC on ESPN+ 114/UFC on ESPN 67.
That said, most still refer to it as UFC Des Moines as it is happening in Iowa’s capital. Actually, this will be the UFC’s first hosting of an event in the Hawkeye State in 25 years. So, it’s only right that we dive into the main event festivities—Cory Sandhagen vs. Deiveson Figueiredo—with our complete preview!
🚨UFC Sandhagen vs. Figueiredo poster dropped #UFCDesMoines pic.twitter.com/Mn1R50uAOm
— Dovy🔌 (@DovySimuMMA) April 5, 2025
UFC Des Moines Event Information
- Date & Time: Saturday, May 3, 2025 – 07:00 p.m. ET
- Location: Wells Fargo Arena, Des Moines, Iowa, USA
- How to Watch: UFC Fight Pass & ESPN+
- Main Event Bout: Cory Sandhagen vs. Deiveson Figueiredo
Co-Main Event Bout: Reinier de Ridder vs. Bo Nickal
Cory “Sandman” Sandhagen
Cory “The Sandman” Sandhagen couldn’t live up to his moniker in the Abu Dhabi desert last time out, as the formidable Umar Nurmagomedov put him through the ringer and diminished the American’s chance at competing for the title.
Sandhagen, however, outside of the Umar clash, has run through three top-ranked 135-lb challengers (at the time) in Yadong Song, Rob Font, and Marlon Vera, and despite losing three of his thirteen UFC fights to date, he remains as one of the most elite competitors in the bantamweight division.
Though he isn’t next in line for the gold on the official bantamweight rankings, you have to admire Sandhagen’s willingness to fight a risky opponent, and a dominant victory over Figgy at UFC Des Moines could undoubtedly position him firmly to fight the winner of Merab Dvalishvili or Sean O’Malley for the 135lb gold.
Cory Sandhagen says Deiveson Figueiredo is subbed to his OnlyFans 😭
“He likes when I insult him… some guys get off on that.
Every once in a while he asks to see my butthole. Every man has his price, and mine is $60.”
🎥 YT / Cory Sandhagen #UFC #MMApic.twitter.com/0dq1s4gkeg
— Championship Rounds (@ChampRDS) April 7, 2025
Deivison “Deus da Guerra” Figueiredo
How happy are you that we no longer have to watch Brandon Moreno and Figgy go at it in the flyweight division? Until he retired, it seemed like the Mexican flyweight star would be Figueiredo’s lone rival. Though the trilogy fight for 125lb gold between those two was exciting, seeing Figgy fight against new blood up a level has been a breath of fresh air thus far.
Is Figueiredo now really at home in bantamweight?
The Brazilian gives up a lot of height, but we know the 125-cut was never simple. Should we base his 135-lb ceiling on current outcomes? Destroying Rob Font, Cody Garbrandt, and Marlon Vera dominantly would imply that the bantamweight category has a new challenger. However, Figgy’s most recent appearance versus Petr Yan was also proof that a well-rounded opponent can handle the task at hand.
Aged 37, time isn’t on Figueiredo’s side, but if anyone can defy the odds, this former two-time 125lb champion can!
Deiveson Figueiredo working on his head movement ahead of the Cory Sandhagen fight
🎥 @Daico_Deiveson #UFC #MMA pic.twitter.com/HRwy40WZyr
— Championship Rounds (@ChampRDS) April 17, 2025
Sandhagen vs. Figueiredo: The Tale of The Tape
| Fighter | Country | Age | Pro Record (Win/Loss) | KO/Submission | Height | Reach | Gym | Win/Loss (Last 5) |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Cory Sandhagen | USA | 33 | 17-5-0 | 5 KOs, 6 Submissions | 5’11” | 70.0” | Elevation Fight Team | L/W/W/W/L |
| Deiveson Figueiredo | Brazil | 37 | 24-4-1 | 5 KOs, 7 Submissions | 5’5” | 68.0” | Team Figueiredo | L/W/W/W/L |
UFC Des Moines: Sandhagen vs. Figueiredo Betting Odds
At the time of writing, moneyline prices side with Sandhagen at a whooping -400. The comeback on Figueiredo sits at +285, with some Missouri sports betting apps offering as high as +360.
- Sandhagen to win [-400]
- Figueiredo to win [+285]
Sandhagen vs. Figueiredo: Skillset Breakdown
Should we expect a striking masterclass from Sandhagen?
Why then is Cory Sandhagen a major betting favorite at UFC Des Moines? Well, given that he is significantly bigger, more seasoned at 135lbs, and perhaps one of the cleanest strikers in the division!
On the other hand, Sandhagen is no wrestling dunce; we’ve watched him aggressively battle Font, although this isn’t good proof when compared to Figgy, as the Brazilian’s chain-wrestling and scrambling abilities might be an issue.
Most MMA fans are already aware of Sandhagen’s striking skills. Certainly, after five rounds, he would surely outstrike Figgy, given the lengthier frame and far more high-level experience. Unfortunately for him, the takedowns will probably come early and frequently, and it is not simple to see beyond the Brazilian’s prospect of triumph this weekend.
A quick guide to Cory Sandhagen’s switch hitting pic.twitter.com/8Qeou49oMM
— Ted (@tedbratby) August 2, 2024
The well-rounded skill set of Figgy
Whether standing, on the ground, in the pocket, or at range… Deiveson Figueiredo has a multi-sided skill set that has seen him win battles in all domains of mixed martial arts. When you search for an illustration of a fighter that can do it all, the Brazilian really can, and that’s why he has been so dominating during his UFC career thus far.
How far can Figueiredo go in bantamweight? That’s something we’re still thinking about. We do, however, know what brought him to the championship level as a flyweight: sheer power, great grappling, and respectable endurance. Looking for flaws in Figgy’s game makes it difficult to identify one thing, but at 37 years old, it’s debatable whether his skill set can surpass the top-five-ranked in the division.
He can also vary the leg kicks to make it engaging; blistering power in his hands could keep Sandhagen wary. That said, while grappling might be his best route to win, does he even have the stamina to carry out five rounds? Sandhagen has never been finished within the distance; he’s the much larger fighter, and arguably the much more talented man on the feet!
Finalização do Deiveson Figueiredo 🔥
Começamos bem 🇧🇷🇧🇷🇧🇷 pic.twitter.com/ECQRoSjOO2
— alice 🦩 (@lilicomentx) April 13, 2024
Sandhagen vs. Figueiredo Trends
- Figueiredo is a former x2 flyweight champion
- Figueiredo has won 3 of his 4 bouts at bantamweight
- Sandhagen has never lost by KO/TKO in 14 UFC appearances
- Sandhagen has gone the distance in 5 of his last 6 UFC bouts
- Figueiredo has gone the distance in 3 of his last 4 UFC bouts
Sandhagen vs. Figueiredo Prediction
The wrestling slightly sides with Figgy, and so does the grappling. Kickboxing and distance striking with a combination of strikes, including kicks, go to Sandhagen. We might also have to give Sandhagen the stamina and cardio edge, while both men have durability that will likely see this one go the distance.
If both guys have one obvious quality, it would be durability. Sandhagen has never been knocked out, while Figgy’s lone KO/TKO loss came via a doctor’s stoppage.
Two technically savvy fighters with reasonable toughness and strong fight IQ will probably bring this bout to the judges’ scorecards. Indeed, while both are hazardous finishers in their own way, they are just as skilled in defensive awareness within the octagon.
As I don’t believe Figueiredo has the cardio at 37 years old to out-grapple Sandhagen for five rounds, I do expect the favorite to win on the scorecards. That said, the current odds aren’t worth the risk, and if there’s one guarantee, it’s that this fight will need the judges to declare a winner.
My Best Bet: Fight Goes the Distance ( Lean on Sandhagen by Split Decision)
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