Cory Sandhagen is ready for a shot at the UFC bantamweight world title. But to get there, he’d first have to go through former flyweight king Deiveson Figueiredo in the UFC Des Moines headliner on Saturday night.
Coming off a decisive loss to Umar Nurmagomedov in his last outing, ‘Sandman’ can get right back into the wide-open bantamweight title picture with a big win over Figueiredo, a fighter desperately seeking two-division glory after already navigating to the top of the 125-pound mountain in previous years.
Round 1
After spending half the round trading calf kicks and downloading information on one another, Sandhagen secures the first takedown of the fight, but it’s Figueiredo who’s looking to get offensive with a potential knee bar. Sandhagen defends and lands a couple of ground and pound shots. Figueiredo goes for a heel hook, but he’s put right back on the defensive after Sandhagen lights him up with a few more strikes on the mat.
Figueiredo is still clinging onto Sandhagen’s leg, but ‘Sandman’ finally breaks free with a minute to go and throws more shots on the ground. Sandhagen finishes the round, landing some thudding shots on the Brazilian.
Round 2
Sandhagen starts the round with some solid calf kicks. Figueiredo throws a right, but he’s just out of range. Sandhagen pumps a couple of jabs and goes back to the calf kicks. Figueiredo lands a nice right hand, but Sandhagen shrugs it off. Figueiredo turns the tables a couple of minutes in and scores a takedown of his own. Sandhagen immediately fishes for a heel hook, allowing him to reverse the position and get on top. Figueiredo brushes him off, and they get back to their feet.
It’s not long before Sandhagen puts Figueiredo on the mat once again. Sandhagen goes right back to lighting up Figueiredo on the mat, and Figueiredo appears to have no answer for being put on his back. Figueiredo again tries for a knee bar. Sandhagen tries for one of his own, and they get tangled up during a wild scramble. Figueiredo ends up on his back again, and Sandhagen fires off some ground strikes.
Figueiredo taps out, indicating that he injured his left knee during the scramble moments before.
Official Result: Cory Sandhagen def. Deiveson Figueiredo via TKO (injury) at 4:08 of Round 2.
Check Out Highlights From Cory Sandhagen vs. Deiveson Figueiredo at UFC Des Moines:
He wants the belt next 🏆@CorySandhagenX is looking at the winner of the #UFC316 main event for his next fight 👀
[ #UFCDesMoines ] pic.twitter.com/X57NofEK3V
— UFC (@ufc) May 4, 2025
CORY SANDHAGEN GETS THE SECOND ROUND FINISH AT #UFCDESMOINES 😤 pic.twitter.com/eWCPf6BmaP
— ESPN MMA (@espnmma) May 4, 2025
