Deiveson Figueiredo Vs. Cory Sandhagen: UFC Des Moines Main Event Set For May 3rd

Kenji Nakamura

5 min read

Post on May 04, 2025

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Deiveson Figueiredo: The Former Flyweight Champion's Transition

Deiveson Figueiredo, a former UFC flyweight champion, steps up in weight to face Sandhagen. This presents both opportunities and challenges for the Brazilian powerhouse.

Figueiredo's Strengths:

• Explosive Power and Devastating Knockout Ability: Figueiredo possesses incredible knockout power, capable of ending fights with a single, well-placed strike. His explosive punches are a constant threat.
• Exceptional Grappling Skills and Submission Threat: Beyond his striking, Figueiredo is a highly skilled grappler with a dangerous submission game. He's adept at taking opponents down and securing submissions.
• Proven Championship Experience and Resilience: His reign as flyweight champion showcases his resilience and ability to perform under pressure. He's been in the biggest fights and has the experience to handle the pressure of a main event.

Figueiredo's Weaknesses:

• Potential Vulnerability to Takedowns Against Stronger Wrestlers: While a skilled grappler himself, Figueiredo's takedown defense might be tested against a wrestler like Sandhagen.
• Size Disadvantage Against Larger Bantamweights: Moving up to bantamweight puts him at a size disadvantage against naturally larger opponents. This could impact his power and grappling effectiveness.
• Recent Loss and Need to Regain Momentum: A recent loss has added pressure, emphasizing his need for a strong performance to regain momentum in his career.

Figueiredo's Road to Des Moines:

Figueiredo's recent fights have been a mix of successes and setbacks. His previous fight showcased his power but also highlighted vulnerabilities that Sandhagen may exploit. He needs a decisive victory to reassert himself as a top contender in the UFC.

Cory Sandhagen: The Bantamweight Contender's Challenge

Cory Sandhagen, a top-ranked bantamweight contender, presents a significant challenge for Figueiredo. His diverse skillset and fighting style make him a dangerous opponent for anyone.

Sandhagen's Strengths:

• Elite Striking and Exceptional Speed: Sandhagen's striking is his biggest asset. His speed, precision, and diverse arsenal make him a difficult opponent to hit and even harder to predict.
• Diverse Striking Arsenal with Effective Kicks and Elbows: He's not just a boxer; Sandhagen effectively utilizes kicks and elbows, adding layers to his attacks and keeping opponents guessing.
• Excellent Cardio and Fight IQ: His stamina is exceptional, allowing him to maintain a high pace throughout the fight. His fight IQ is equally impressive; he's adept at adapting his strategy mid-fight.

Sandhagen's Weaknesses:

• Potential Vulnerability to Aggressive Wrestlers: While his striking is elite, Sandhagen's takedown defense might be tested against a strong wrestler.
• Experience at a Higher Weight Class Than Usual: Fighting at bantamweight is his usual weight class; this is something to be considered in this matchup.

Sandhagen's Path to the Main Event:

Sandhagen's career has been marked by impressive wins and close battles against top contenders. His recent performances have solidified his position as a top contender, making this main event a significant step towards a title shot.

Analyzing the Matchup: Figueiredo vs. Sandhagen

Style Matchup:

This fight is a fascinating stylistic clash. Figueiredo's power and grappling will be pitted against Sandhagen's speed and striking precision. The key will likely be Figueiredo's ability to manage Sandhagen's range and avoid getting caught in a striking exchange. Sandhagen, in turn, needs to avoid being taken down and submitted.

Key Factors to Victory:

• Figueiredo's Takedown Defense: How well Figueiredo defends takedowns will be crucial. If he can keep the fight standing, his power striking becomes a much greater threat.
• Sandhagen's Striking Accuracy: Sandhagen needs to land his strikes consistently to keep Figueiredo at bay and avoid his power.
• Cardio and Fight Pace: The pace of the fight will also be a key factor, influencing both fighter's ability to execute their game plans.

Prediction:

This fight is extremely close to call. Both fighters possess significant advantages and weaknesses. While Figueiredo possesses incredible power, Sandhagen's speed and diverse striking arsenal give him a distinct advantage. The prediction is for Cory Sandhagen to win by decision. His superior speed, cardio, and striking accuracy are likely to edge out Figueiredo over the course of three or five rounds.

The UFC Des Moines Card: Beyond the Main Event (Optional)

While the Figueiredo vs. Sandhagen fight is the main event, the UFC Des Moines card features other exciting matchups, including [mention other notable fights and fighters with relevant keywords].

Conclusion

The UFC Des Moines main event featuring Deiveson Figueiredo and Cory Sandhagen promises to be a thrilling clash of styles. Figueiredo's devastating power and grappling expertise will be challenged by Sandhagen's elite striking and exceptional speed. While a knockout victory is always possible, the prediction points to a decision victory for Sandhagen. Don't miss the electrifying main event at UFC Des Moines on May 3rd! Tune in to witness this highly anticipated Deiveson Figueiredo vs. Cory Sandhagen fight and find out who will emerge victorious. Further research on Deiveson Figueiredo and Cory Sandhagen fight statistics and highlights will enhance your viewing experience!