This past Saturday, in a highly anticipated matchup, fourth-ranked Cory Sandhagen faced off against fifth-ranked Deiveson Figueiredo at UFC Des Moines. This bout held significant implications for both fighters, as they aimed for a potential title shot in the bantamweight division. Sandhagen entered the octagon with a professional record of 17 wins and 5 losses while Figueiredo, the former UFC flyweight champion, boasted a record of 24 wins, 4 losses, and 1 draw.
Cory Sandhagen's journey toward a title shot faced a setback when he lost to Umar Nurmagomedov last August. Despite this loss, Sandhagen managed to remain in the top five of the bantamweight rankings, but was at risk of being seen as a gatekeeper for younger contenders. On the other hand, Deiveson Figueiredo, who captured the UFC flyweight title before moving up to bantamweight, was looking to cement his legacy by challenging for a second championship at 135 pounds. After dropping his title to Brandon Moreno in 2023, Figueiredo sought to bounce back from a recent loss to Petr Yan last November, building momentum with victories over notable opponents like Rob Font and Cody Garbrandt.
The match was set for the second round when an unfortunate injury changed the course of the battle. In the first round, Sandhagen immediately used his reach advantage, landing effective strikes before pushing Figueiredo against the fence. Figueiredo responded well, defending against Sandhagen's onslaught and attempting to grapple. However, a powerful uppercut from Sandhagen countered Figueiredo's takedown attempt, showcasing Sandhagen's striking prowess. Even after getting taken down, Sandhagen remained calm, delivering damaging elbows while defending against Figueiredo’s heel hook attempts.
As the second round commenced, Figueiredo struggled with Sandhagen's leg kicks, which continued to land with accuracy. Figueiredo’s strategy focused on taking Sandhagen to the ground, and he managed to execute another takedown. However, Sandhagen demonstrated skill by reversing the position and seizing a heel hook for leverage, enabling him to rise back to his feet. Sandhagen later secured a takedown of his own, asserting dominance with impactful strikes.
As both fighters engaged in a grappling exchange, Figueiredo suffered a knee injury that ultimately resulted in the fight being stopped. The referee called the match at 4:08 of Round 2, officially declaring Cory Sandhagen the winner via TKO due to injury. This victory is monumental for Sandhagen, potentially paving the way for his next title shot in the competitive bantamweight division.
The outcome of UFC Des Moines has significant implications for both fighters’ careers. For Cory Sandhagen, the victory reaffirms his position as a top contender and puts him back in the conversation for the bantamweight title. On the other hand, Deiveson Figueiredo faces uncertainty following the knee injury, raising questions about his future in the division.
Look out for Sandhagen as he prepares for a title shot. His performance against Figueiredo proves he is a fighter to watch in the UFC bantamweight landscape.
