Cory Sandhagen vs Deiveson Figueriedo: Predictions, Analysis, and Breakdown

Cory Sandhagen and Deiveson Figueriedo are set to face off at UFC Fight Night. Their bout is the 12th fight out of 12 on the Main Card. This is a Bantamweight division match, meaning both fighters will compete at 135 lbs (61.2 kg).

Both fighters have the same record in the last five matches, three wins and two losses. Here’s a quick breakdown—and who could be the smarter bet?

Fighters’ Profiles and Strength

Cory Sandhagen – LWWWL

Cory Sandhagen is a 33-year-old American fighter with a professional record of 17 wins and 5 losses. He’s known for his powerful kicks and explosive combinations, which allow him to finish fights quickly. One memorable moment was at UFC Fight Night: Sandhagen vs. Song in September 2022, where he defeated Yadong Song by doctor stoppage.

Sandhagen has built a reputation as a dangerous striker. He can end a fight with creative combos and devastating kicks. His most impressive victory came when he knocked out former champion Frankie Edgar with a flying knee in the first round. However, his worst loss came against reigning champion Aljamain Sterling, who submitted him in the first round.

Despite his striking skills, Sandhagen has struggled with grappling. Some of his opponents have been able to exploit this weakness.

Deiveson Figueriedo – LWWWL

Deiveson Figueiredo has a professional record of 24 wins, 4 losses, and 1 draw. His nickname is “Deus da Guerra,” and he is part of Team Figueiredo. Currently, he is on a losing streak. His most recent fight was on November 23, 2024, at UFC Fight Night, where he lost to Petr Yan by unanimous decision. Before that, he faced Marlon Vera at UFC Fight Night and won by unanimous decision.

In the global MMA rankings, Figueiredo holds several impressive positions. He’s ranked the 50th Greatest MMA Fighter of All Time, 6th among current bantamweights, and 87th in the current Best P4P MMA Fighters. He was also named the 2nd MMA Fighter of the Year in 2020 and the 9th MMA Fighter of the Year in 2022.

SHOP: The Kickboxer Collection

What time is the fight?

The fight kicks off live on Saturday 05.03.2025 at 07:00 PM ET

Location: Wells Fargo Arena, Des Moines, Iowa, United States

How Can I Watch It?

If you’re interested, you can watch it on ESPN+ Pay-per-view.

Statistical Matchup

CATEGORY	CORY SANDHANGEN	DEIVERSON FIGURIEDO
AGE	33	37
HEIGHT	5’11”	5’5″
REACH	70.0″	68.0″
PRO RECORD	17-5-0	24-4-1
FIGHTING OUT OF	Aurora, Colorado	Belem, Para, Brazil

Final Prediction

I’m excited for this fight because Sandhagen showed in his last match that he can shut down Umar’s grappling. Not many top contenders keep evolving fight after fight, but Sandhagen does. He’s dangerous everywhere—his fight IQ and technique are insane.

He’s more about dance and style than raw fighting. Against Umar, he could’ve won if he had more volume and urgency. I do worry about that. Still, his grappling defense is improving a lot. Since his submission loss to Aljo, Sandhagen has made huge strides. He gets up well from the ground, but he always gives his back when he does! Plus, he doesn’t throw enough significant strikes. He also fails to use his range in most of his fights. Even though he’s tall, he often fights in boxing range or clinches, not in kickboxing range, where he could shine more.

Figgy, on the other hand, has insane power. Coming up to bantamweight and dropping Chito Vera, who has a great chin, is impressive. Figgy is considered a “God of War” in the UFC. The way he dominated Benavidez was wild. Hearing Joe scream at the end of that fight was frightening. Figgy brings a powerful, unstoppable presence to the flyweight division. He’s not an easy night for anyone.

At +350 odds, Figgy might seem like he’s being disrespected. After all, he looked better against Yan than Sandhagen did against Umar. However, Figgy isn’t the same fighter he was three years ago. In fact, no fighter is. But for Figgy, it’s been a decline. He does still have a real chance in this fight. If he has a solid game plan, pushes the pace, and makes Sandhagen respect his power, I think Figgy could win. He’s no joke.

That said, Sandhagen is strong enough defensively, both in wrestling and on his feet, to avoid Figgy’s danger. With his height and reach advantage, he can poke and prod Figgy for five rounds. I’ll pick Sandhagen to win, but it could be a close fight.

TOTAL OVER 3.5 ROUNDS

CORY SANDHAGEN TO WIN BY DECISION OR TECHNICAL DECISION

FIGHT TO GO THE DISTANCE (YES)