MMA Event Preview: Sandhagen vs. Figueiredo Forecasts in UFC Fight Night
The main event at Wells Fargo Arena features two top bantamweights looking to bounce back from losses as Cory Sandhagen squares off against Deiveson Figueiredo.
Fourth-ranked Sandhagen (17-5) has earned himself a title shot with victories over Song Yadong, Marlon Vera, Rob Font, and a hard-fought decision loss to Umar Nurmagomedov. "The Sandman" boasts an impressive striking game with seven knockouts and three submissions.
Former flyweight champion Figueiredo (24-4-1) moved up to bantamweight in 2023 and collected wins over Rob Font, Cody Garbrandt, and Vera. Boasting a complete combat game with nine knockouts and nine submissions, Figueiredo will look to test Sandhagen's grappling.
While both men have fearsome finishing power, expect a high-tempo striking battle as Sandhagen utilizes his superior speed and reach advantage. As "Deus Da Guerra" starts to slow down with age, expect Sandhagen to pick up a decision victory.
Elsewhere on the card, undefeated wrestling sensation Bo Nickal takes on Reinier de Ridder in the co-main event. Known for his lightning-fast takedowns, Nickal seeks to prove himself against a formidable opponent in de Ridder.
De Ridder is a former middleweight and light heavyweight champion with 13 career submissions and is a dangerous grappler himself. Nickal will most likely opt to avoid takedowns against de Ridder but will still find a way to earn a decision win based on his movement and precision striking.
In the featured welterweight bout, Santiago Ponzinibbio and Daniel Rodriguez will trade blows in what should be an entertaining fight. Ultra-durable and with a high striking output, Rodriguez should get the better of the exchanges, earning himself a decision win.
Other notable bantamweight bouts include Montel Jackson facing Daniel Marcos and Cameron Smotherman squaring off against Serhiy Sidey. Jackson's wrestling base and size advantage should help him earn a decision victory over the undefeated Marcos, while Sidey's striking technicality will likely lead him to decision in his bout with Smotherman.
The main card also features the return of Jeremy Stephens to the Octagon as he takes on Mason Jones in a hard-hitting lightweight contest. Despite Stephens' long layoff from the UFC and questionable size for the division, Jones' striking will likely prevail as he picks up a KO victory.
- Cory Sandhagen, returning from a loss, will face Deiveson Figueiredo in a rugby-like clash of top bantamweights at Wells Fargo Arena.
- Given their fearsome finishing power, the main event is expected to be a high-scoring battle, with Sandhagen utilizing his superior speed and reach to outpoint Figueiredo.
- In the co-main event, undefeated wrestling sensation Bo Nickal will take on Reinier de Ridder, with Nickal's precision striking and movement expected to earn him a decision victory despite de Ridder's dangerous grappling.
- Santiago Ponzinibbio and Daniel Rodriguez are set to engage in an entertaining welterweight bout, with Rodriguez's high striking output giving him an edge in their exchanges, potentially leading to a KO victory.
- Montel Jackson, capitalizing on his wrestling base and size advantage, is predicted to earn a decision victory over the undefeated Daniel Marcos in a notable bantamweight bout.
