Sandhagen vs. Figueiredo: UFC Des Moines Main Event Showdown That Could Reshape the Bantamweight Division

Man, I’ve been covering fights for years, and I still get that little tingle of excitement when a matchup like this gets announced. This Saturday night, the UFC heads to America’s heartland with a bantamweight clash that honestly deserves way more hype than it’s getting.

Cory “The Sandman” Sandhagen squares off against former flyweight king Deiveson Figueiredo in what promises to be an absolute technical masterpiece in Des Moines, Iowa. This isn’t just another Fight Night main event – it’s a collision of two of the most skilled fighters on the roster that could completely shake up the 135-pound title picture.

The Sandman’s Road to Redemption

Let’s talk about Sandhagen first. The guy is an absolute puzzle for opponents – lanky, technical, and with a striking variety that makes game-planning against him feel like trying to solve a Rubik’s cube while blindfolded. Coming off back-to-back victories over Rob Font and Song Yadong, Sandhagen has rebuilt his momentum after falling short against Petr Yan in their interim title fight.

What makes Sandhagen so dangerous is how he weaponizes his 5’11” frame at bantamweight. The spinning attacks, the flying knees, the way he switches stances mid-combination – it’s like watching a violent ballet. Remember what he did to Frankie Edgar? That flying knee still gives me nightmares, and I wasn’t even the one who got hit with it.

Figgy Moves Up with Championship Ambitions

On the other side of the octagon, we’ve got Deiveson Figueiredo making his bantamweight debut, and don’t let that fool you – “Figgy” is no newcomer to high-stakes fights. The Brazilian has been in four world title fights against Brandon Moreno alone (that’s practically a mini-series at this point).

After dropping the flyweight strap to Moreno in their tetralogy, Figueiredo decided his body had enough of those brutal weight cuts to 125. Now at bantamweight, we’re potentially seeing a more powerful, more durable version of an already terrifying fighter.

The power in Figueiredo’s hands is legitimate, folks. When this guy connects, opponents don’t just get wobbled – they question their career choices. Combine that with his nasty guillotine choke, and you’ve got a fighter who’s dangerous everywhere.

Tale of the Tape: Contrasting Styles Set to Collide

What This Fight Means for the Bantamweight Division

I can’t overstate how important this fight is for both men. For Sandhagen, a win here would be three straight against elite competition. With champion Sean O’Malley likely facing Merab Dvalishvili next, Sandhagen could position himself perfectly for the winner of that bout.

For Figueiredo, imagine the statement it would make to jump up a weight class and immediately take out the #2 ranked bantamweight. That’s the kind of move that skips the line and puts you directly into title conversations.

The 135-pound division is arguably the UFC’s most talent-rich weight class right now. Every fight matters, and a spectacular performance on Saturday could be the difference between a title shot and another year grinding through contenders.

Paths to Victory: Breaking Down the Matchup

Sandhagen needs to fight long and tall. If he can establish his jab early and make Figueiredo chase him, that’s when the openings for those spinning backfists and flying knees will present themselves. His cardio advantage in a five-round fight could be massive, especially against a fighter making his debut at the weight.

Figueiredo’s blueprint is simpler but no less effective – close the distance, make this fight ugly, and don’t let Sandhagen establish his rhythm. If he can get inside and work his powerful hooks or initiate clinch exchanges, the size difference becomes less relevant. And on the ground? Figgy’s guillotine is one of the nastiest in the game.

The X-Factor: Figueiredo at Bantamweight

The biggest unknown heading into Saturday is how Figueiredo’s power and speed translate to 135 pounds. Will he be even more dangerous without the brutal weight cut? Or will the size and strength of natural bantamweights neutralize what made him so special at flyweight?

I’ve seen weight class jumps completely transform fighters’ careers. Think of former lightweight champ Charles Oliveira becoming a world-beater after moving up. Could we see the same from Figueiredo?

My Prediction

I’m going out on a limb here, but I see Sandhagen weathering some early storms from a dangerous Figueiredo before taking over in the championship rounds. The Sandman’s volume and cardio advantage will be the difference-maker in what should be an absolute firefight. Sandhagen by unanimous decision in a Fight of the Night contender.

But that’s the beauty of this sport – Figueiredo could just as easily prove me wrong with one of those cannon right hands. That’s why we watch, isn’t it?

How to Watch UFC Des Moines

Don’t miss this bantamweight showdown this Saturday night. The main card starts at 7 PM ET/4 PM PT on ESPN/ESPN+, with prelims beginning at 4 PM ET/1 PM PT.

Who are you picking in this one? Will Sandhagen continue his climb back to title contention, or does Figueiredo announce himself as an immediate threat at bantamweight? Let me know in the comments below!