UFC Fight Night Predictions: Cory Sandhagen Vs. Deiveson Figueiredo

Rajiv Sharma

5 min read

Post on May 05, 2025

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Cory Sandhagen's Strengths and Weaknesses

Striking Prowess: A Masterclass in Precision

Sandhagen's dynamic striking is his most significant asset. His skillset is a beautiful blend of speed, precision, and creativity.

• Exceptional speed and precision: Sandhagen’s strikes land with pinpoint accuracy, often catching opponents off guard.
• Devastating spinning attacks: His spinning back kicks and elbows are legendary, capable of ending fights instantly.
• Diverse striking arsenal: He utilizes a wide array of punches, kicks, and elbows, making him incredibly unpredictable.
• Effective use of range: Sandhagen expertly manages distance, keeping opponents at bay while picking them apart with jabs and kicks.

Sandhagen’s striking has been instrumental in victories against notable opponents like Frankie Edgar and Marlon Moraes, showcasing his ability to dismantle opponents with a variety of techniques. His precision and speed make him a constant threat, regardless of the opponent's defensive capabilities.

Weakness: The Ground Game Needs Refinement

While Sandhagen's striking is elite, his grappling defense is a potential area of vulnerability.

• Vulnerable to takedowns: Although improved, Sandhagen has historically shown susceptibility to takedowns from powerful wrestlers.
• Ground control struggles: Once taken down, Sandhagen has sometimes struggled to regain his guard and return to his striking game.

Specific instances, like his fights against Aljamain Sterling, highlight this weakness. Opponents who successfully took him down and controlled him on the mat were able to disrupt his rhythm and dictate the pace of the fight. Improving his ground game is crucial for Sandhagen's continued success at the highest level of MMA competition.

Deiveson Figueiredo's Strengths and Weaknesses

Power and Aggression: A Force to be Reckoned With

Figueiredo is renowned for his explosive power and relentless aggression. He’s a true finisher.

• Devastating knockout power: His punches possess incredible stopping power, capable of ending fights in an instant.
• Aggressive fighting style: He constantly pressures his opponents, forcing them into uncomfortable positions.
• High fight IQ: He's not just a brawler; he intelligently adapts his strategies during a fight.

His career is punctuated with highlight-reel knockouts, demonstrating his ability to quickly overwhelm his adversaries. He's a dangerous opponent for anyone.

Weakness: Cardio and Size Could be Deciding Factors

Despite his power, Figueiredo’s cardio and potential size disadvantage against Sandhagen represent significant challenges.

• Stamina concerns: In some later-round fights, Figueiredo's stamina has been a noticeable factor.
• Size disadvantage: Facing a longer, rangier opponent like Sandhagen presents challenges in closing the distance and effectively landing strikes.

Fights against Brandon Moreno exposed these vulnerabilities. Maintaining a high pace for longer rounds will be crucial against Sandhagen’s superior reach and elusiveness. The size difference might prevent Figueiredo from easily closing the distance and implementing his preferred aggressive fighting style.

Fight Strategy and Prediction

Sandhagen's Strategy: Control the Distance, Pick Him Apart

To secure victory, Sandhagen needs to utilize his superior striking abilities and speed to his advantage.

• Maintain distance: He should use his reach to keep Figueiredo at bay, preventing the Brazilian from closing the distance.
• Precise striking: Landing pinpoint strikes rather than engaging in prolonged exchanges will conserve his energy.
• Evasive maneuvers: Sandhagen should utilize movement and footwork to avoid takedowns and keep Figueiredo at a disadvantage.

By avoiding prolonged grappling exchanges, Sandhagen can exploit Figueiredo’s cardio limitations and showcase his exceptional striking skills.

Figueiredo's Strategy: Pressure and Takedowns are Key

For Figueiredo, success hinges on neutralizing Sandhagen's striking and dictating the pace of the fight.

• Close the distance: Overcoming the reach disadvantage is paramount; he needs to get inside to effectively land strikes.
• Secure takedowns: Figueiredo needs to exploit Sandhagen's weakness on the ground to control the fight.
• Clinch work: Using the clinch to tire Sandhagen and land short, powerful strikes is crucial.

Figueiredo will need to meticulously plan his attack, timing his takedown attempts and using his aggression to compensate for his size and potential stamina issues.

The Prediction: A Close Fight, But Sandhagen Takes It

This UFC Fight Night matchup is expected to be a closely fought contest. However, Sandhagen’s superior striking, reach advantage, and improved takedown defense give him a slight edge. While Figueiredo's power is always a threat, Sandhagen's ability to maintain distance and utilize his striking arsenal makes him the more likely victor. I predict Sandhagen wins via decision, showcasing his improved all-around game.

Conclusion

This UFC Fight Night main event promises excitement. Cory Sandhagen possesses a significant striking advantage, while Deiveson Figueiredo brings explosive power and aggressive pressure. However, Sandhagen's improved grappling defense and ability to manage distance make him the more likely winner. This fight highlights the complexities of MMA predictions and the importance of considering each fighter's individual strengths and weaknesses. My prediction remains a Sandhagen victory by decision, but the bout is sure to entertain.

Stay tuned for more UFC Fight Night predictions and analysis. Who do you think will win the Cory Sandhagen vs. Deiveson Figueiredo fight? Share your UFC Fight Night predictions in the comments below!