Cory Sandhagen is tired of just being “one of the best.”
Aljamain Sterling, T.J. Dillashaw, Petr Yan, Umar Nurmagomedov – these are the four fighters who defeated Sandhagen in the UFC, and notably, all went on to challenge for the bantamweight title in their very next fight. While Sandhagen is undeniably one of the elite bantamweights globally, he hasn`t yet secured that coveted title shot.
This situation puts significant pressure on him as he prepares for the main event at UFC Des Moines on Saturday, facing former two-time flyweight champion Deiveson Figueiredo. Figueiredo has shown he belongs at 135 pounds, winning his first three fights in the division before a loss to Yan. Despite Sandhagen`s significant size advantage, Figueiredo remains a formidable opponent, and a loss here would be a major setback for Sandhagen`s title aspirations.
Event Details
What: UFC Des Moines
Where: Wells Fargo Arena in Des Moines, Iowa
When: Saturday, May 3. Preliminary card starts at 7 p.m. ET, followed by the main card at 10 p.m. ET.
Main Card Predictions
Cory Sandhagen vs. Deiveson Figueiredo
Cory Sandhagen`s journey towards a title shot continues, and I`m picking “The Sandman” to get the win here. He holds significant advantages over Deiveson Figueiredo. Sandhagen is much bigger, capable of handling Figueiredo in striking exchanges, and possesses the takedown defense needed to neutralize Figueiredo if he attempts to grapple.
However, Sandhagen isn`t without potential concerns. Figueiredo`s power has carried up to the bantamweight division, and he has the ability to be the first person to knock Sandhagen out, though it`s unlikely. Figueiredo is also a more well-rounded fighter, as demonstrated in his complex series of fights with Brandon Moreno.
Sandhagen is favored for good reasons, extending beyond his elite striking. He could even initiate wrestling exchanges, using his size to take Figueiredo down and control him on the ground. There`s a straightforward path to victory for Sandhagen if he sticks to the plan.
Prediction: Sandhagen by decision.
Reinier de Ridder vs. Bo Nickal
This matchup is intriguing and could go in various directions. I was initially interested in this fight when it was announced, and after reviewing it, I`m even more so. Bo Nickal passed the “Paul Craig test” in his last fight, a significant step up, but the performance wasn`t entirely convincing and raised questions about his development path. Reinier de Ridder, a former two-division ONE champion, is Nickal`s eighth opponent and a potentially tricky challenge.
Nickal is among the top athletes in the sport right now, giving him an edge over most middleweights. This includes de Ridder, who is a skilled grappler and smart fighter. Nickal, a three-time national wrestling champion, should be able to take de Ridder down at will. The question is, why doesn`t he prioritize this? Perhaps he should focus on separating his wrestling from his striking.
Engaging in grappling with the submission-focused de Ridder might seem risky, but for Nickal to build momentum, it would be beneficial to see him utilize the skill he excels at more than almost anyone else. Mixing in striking is fine, but a stronger emphasis on wrestling in this fight would be welcome.
I`m prepared for any outcome: a slow-paced middleweight grind, a dominant performance from Nickal, or de Ridder outsmarting Nickal to secure a submission. Regardless, it`s a fascinating fight to watch.
Prediction: Nickal
Santiago Ponzinibbio vs. Daniel Rodriguez
This feels like smart matchmaking for fighters of their age. Both Santiago Ponzinibbio and Daniel Rodriguez turned 38 recently, and it`s good to see them matched against each other rather than being used as tests for younger contenders. They`ve put in significant work and deserve respectful matchups.
Conveniently, both fighters prefer to stand and strike, making this a perfect stylistic clash. They share similar kickboxing approaches, which should result in a competitive, technical three-round battle. Following a thrilling fight between Randy Brown and Nicolas Dalby last week, Ponzinibbio and Rodriguez could deliver a similarly exciting contest, albeit likely without a dramatic finish.
While it`s a harsh assessment, in my view, Rodriguez has declined slightly more in recent years, despite having significantly fewer professional fights than Ponzinibbio. Neither fighter is known for an extremely high-paced style, but Ponzinibbio`s more diverse attack has seemed to age better.
Prediction: Ponzinibbio by decision.
Montel Jackson vs. Daniel Marcos
One has to wonder where Montel Jackson would be if he competed more often than once a year. “Quik” is riding a five-fight win streak, a remarkable achievement in the bantamweight division (behind only Mario Bautista and Merab Dvalishvili), yet his inactivity makes it less recognized. He`s making his 2025 debut after fighting only once in 2024, 2023, and 2022. Despite this, he`s a very good fighter.
Given the fast pace of the bantamweight division, it wouldn`t be surprising if a fighter with less UFC experience, such as Daniel Marcos, were to overtake him in the rankings. Marcos is an exceptional striker with significant power, capable of ending the fight quickly if Jackson makes a mistake. Fortunately for Jackson, he has advantages in size and speed, plus experience against higher-level opposition.
Marcos remains undefeated, but he has faced difficult moments in recent fights and managed to survive. He won`t be as fortunate against Jackson, who is likely to find Marcos` chin and secure a finish in the first or second round.
Prediction: Jackson
Cameron Smotherman vs. Serhiy Sidey
While I appreciate the bantamweight division, I questioned the placement of this fight on the main card given the relative lack of name recognition for Cameron Smotherman and Serhiy Sidey.
Wouldn`t former women`s bantamweight champion Miesha Tate`s fight against Yana Santos be more suitable for the main broadcast? Or ranked strawweights Marina Rodriguez and Gillian Robertson? Even a mandatory heavyweight clash between Thomas Petersen and Don`Tale Mayes, a fight that might not promise excitement but fulfills the need for big men in the cage, could be considered.
Nonetheless, these promising fighters have the opportunity to prove me wrong with a “Fight of the Night” performance, which is likely what the UFC is hoping for. Smotherman possesses solid boxing skills, and although his overall game needs refinement, his fan-friendly striking style should keep him relevant at 135 pounds. Sidey, on the other hand, tends to use his grappling defensively and will likely be willing to stand and trade with Smotherman.
Smotherman has shown inconsistency, but I believe in his potential, and I think his best performance can win the stand-up battle. I`m picking him to pull off a minor upset.
Prediction: Smotherman
Jeremy Stephens vs. Mason Jones
While Smotherman and Sidey could potentially steal the show, let`s be realistic: Jeremy Stephens vs. Mason Jones is the top candidate for Fight of the Night. Stephens, a native of Des Moines, couldn`t pass up the chance to fight in his hometown despite finding success in bare-knuckle boxing. UFC leadership granted him a prime spot on the card and paired him with a willing opponent in Mason Jones, who is also returning to the UFC after a successful 4-0 run with Cage Warriors.
If your lasting memory of Jones`s initial UFC stint is his thrilling debut against Mike Davis, you`ll be pleased to know his approach hasn`t changed. While he possesses technical skills, Jones ultimately wants to engage in a slugfest, and he is guaranteed to meet Stephens in the center of the octagon and trade heavy shots.
I`d love to see this fight go the full distance, as these two would undoubtedly deliver a brutal three-round war. However, I actually favor Stephens to defy the odds here with a vintage knockout. The energy of fighting in Iowa should re-energize “Lil` Heathen” and propel him to victory in what could be his final appearance in the UFC.
Prediction: Stephens
Preliminary Predictions
- Yana Santos def. Miesha Tate
- Azamat Bekoev def. Ryan Loder
- Marina Rodriguez def. Gillian Robertson
- Gaston Bolanos def. Quang Le
- Thomas Petersen def. Don’Tale Mayes
- Ivana Petrovic def. Juliana Miller
