Sandhagen’s Masterclass: Breaking Down the Dominant TKO Victory Over Figueiredo at UFC Des Moines

If you weren’t watching UFC Des Moines last night, you missed one hell of a main event. Cory “The Sandman” Sandhagen put on an absolute clinic against former flyweight champ Deiveson Figueiredo, ending the night with not just a win, but a statement victory that has serious title implications.

I’ve covered hundreds of fights in my career, but watching Sandhagen methodically dismantle Figueiredo was something special – a chess match that turned into an execution.

The Breakdown: How Sandhagen Dominated From Start to Finish

From the opening bell, Sandhagen’s gameplan was crystal clear: utilize his significant height and reach advantage to keep Figueiredo at distance. Standing at 5’11” against Figueiredo’s 5’5″, Sandhagen’s physical advantages were obvious, but it was how he leveraged them that impressed me most.

The Colorado native established his jab early, creating a no-man’s-land that Figueiredo struggled to navigate. When the Brazilian tried to close distance, Sandhagen would either pivot away or surprise him with a well-timed takedown – something we’ve seen evolve significantly in his game.

By the third round, Figueiredo’s face told the story – marked up and increasingly desperate. The former flyweight champion, making just his second appearance at bantamweight, seemed out of answers against Sandhagen’s length and technical superiority.

The Finish: Savage Ground and Pound Seals the Deal

While many expected a five-round decision given Sandhagen’s methodical approach, “The Sandman” had other plans. In the fourth round, after securing yet another perfectly timed takedown, Sandhagen unleashed a barrage of ground strikes that left referee Keith Peterson no choice but to step in.

The official result: TKO victory for Sandhagen at 4:23 of the fourth round.

What made this finish particularly impressive was the calculated nature of it. This wasn’t wild swinging – it was precision striking from dominant position, the kind of finish that showcases complete MMA skills.

By The Numbers: Sandhagen’s Statistical Dominance

What’s Next for Sandhagen? Title Shot Looms Large

With this victory, Sandhagen improves to 17-4 and positions himself firmly in the bantamweight title conversation. He’s now won three straight against elite competition (Figueiredo, Rob Font, and Marlon Vera), and his only recent losses have come against former champions Petr Yan and Aljamain Sterling.

During his post-fight interview, Sandhagen made his intentions clear: “I want the winner of O’Malley vs. Merab. I’ve been in this division too long, beating too many guys not to get my shot.”

It’s hard to argue with his logic. While O’Malley vs. Dvalishvili will determine the immediate title picture, Sandhagen has certainly earned his place as the next challenger in line.

What This Loss Means for Figueiredo

For Deiveson Figueiredo (22-3-1), this defeat raises serious questions about his future at bantamweight. After a successful debut against Rob Font, many believed the former flyweight king could make a serious run at 135 pounds. However, the size and skill differential against Sandhagen appeared significant.

At 36 years old, Figueiredo now finds himself at a crossroads – return to flyweight where the cut is brutal but the size difference less pronounced, or recalibrate his approach to bantamweight competition.

Beyond the Main Event: Des Moines Delivers

While Sandhagen vs. Figueiredo rightfully stole the headlines, UFC Des Moines delivered several other noteworthy performances:

• Andrei Arlovski retired after a tough loss to Martin Buday, ending a legendary 25-year career
• Joaquin Buckley continued his impressive run with a dominant victory over Nursulton Ruziboev
• Julian Marquez thrilled his hometown crowd with an emotional comeback win

But make no mistake – this night belonged to Cory Sandhagen, who not only won but showcased the kind of complete, dominant performance that turns contenders into champions.

Did Sandhagen Just Become the Bantamweight Division’s Boogeyman?

With elite striking, increasingly dominant wrestling, and cardio for days, Sandhagen presents a nightmare matchup for anyone in the division. His ability to maintain distance, mix techniques, and now finish fights positions him as perhaps the most well-rounded threat to the title.

While O’Malley brings the star power and Merab brings the wrestling pedigree, Sandhagen might just be the man neither wants to face. His performance against Figueiredo wasn’t just a win – it was a warning to the entire division.

What did you think of Sandhagen’s performance? Is he the next bantamweight champion waiting in the wings? Drop your thoughts in the comments below or hit me up on Twitter.

Source: UFC Fight Night: Sandhagen vs. Figueiredo official broadcast and post-fight interviews