UFC Fight Night: Sandhagen Vs. Figueiredo – A Comprehensive Fight Breakdown

Rajiv Sharma

4 min read

Post on May 04, 2025

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Cory Sandhagen's Performance Analysis

Cory "The Sandman" Sandhagen, known for his dynamic striking and unorthodox approach, entered the Octagon with a reputation for exciting fights. Let's analyze his performance:

Sandhagen Striking and Footwork

Sandhagen's striking is a beautiful blend of precision and power, often incorporating elements of Capoeira into his fluid footwork. His ability to create angles and maintain distance was crucial throughout the fight.

• Effective Techniques: Sandhagen effectively used spinning back kicks and switch kicks to keep Moreno at bay and land significant strikes. His use of feints also created openings for powerful counters.
• Striking Combinations: Sandhagen showed a variety of effective combinations, often mixing up his attacks to keep Moreno guessing. However, his tendency to overcommit at times left him vulnerable to counters.

Sandhagen Grappling and Ground Game

While primarily known for his striking, Sandhagen's takedown defense and grappling proved to be solid.

• Takedown Defense: Sandhagen showcased excellent takedown defense, successfully preventing Moreno from taking the fight to the ground for extended periods.
• Grappling Exchanges: Although he didn't engage in extended grappling exchanges, Sandhagen showed competence when forced to defend against Moreno's takedown attempts.
• Submission Attempts: Sandhagen didn't attempt many submissions, focusing primarily on preventing takedowns and maintaining striking distance.

Brandon Moreno's Performance Analysis

Brandon "The Assassin Baby" Moreno, the former UFC Flyweight Champion, entered the fight with a dominant ground game and relentless pressure.

Moreno Striking and Clinch Work

Moreno's striking was effective in spurts, particularly his body shots which appeared to slow Sandhagen down. His clinch work was also notable.

• Body Shots: Moreno consistently targeted Sandhagen's body with hooks and uppercuts, noticeably impacting Sandhagen's movement in the later rounds.
• Clinch Control: Moreno used the clinch effectively to control the pace and land knees to the body, though he wasn't able to secure takedowns consistently from the clinch.

Moreno Ground Game and Submissions

Moreno's grappling and submission prowess were expected to be a key factor in the fight, yet he struggled to implement this effectively against Sandhagen's takedown defense.

• Takedown Attempts: Moreno attempted several takedowns but was consistently met with strong defense from Sandhagen.
• Ground Control: When he did secure short periods of ground control, he failed to capitalize fully, with Sandhagen expertly escaping.
• Submission Attempts: Despite his reputation, Moreno's submission attempts were few and far between, likely due to Sandhagen's excellent defensive grappling.

Key Moments and Turning Points

Several key moments shaped the fight's outcome.

• Round 2 Exchange: A fierce striking exchange in round two saw both fighters land significant blows. This marked a turning point, with Moreno seemingly gaining momentum after landing a powerful combination.
• Late Round Grappling Attempts: In the final rounds, Moreno’s increasing desperation for a takedown became more apparent.
• Sandhagen’s Counter Striking: Sandhagen's ability to land counters throughout the fight, especially while moving, consistently disrupted Moreno’s rhythm and negated many of his advances.

Fight Outcome and Implications

Moreno won the fight via unanimous decision, showcasing his resilience and adaptability. This victory significantly boosts his standing within the UFC Flyweight division, positioning him for another title shot. For Sandhagen, the loss, while disappointing, doesn't diminish his skills, and he remains a prominent contender in the Bantamweight division. Future matchups for Moreno may include a rematch with the current champion, while Sandhagen could face other top-ranked Bantamweights.

Conclusion

UFC Fight Night: Sandhagen vs. Figueiredo showcased a fascinating clash of styles. Moreno's relentless pressure and body shots proved effective, while Sandhagen's counter striking and exceptional takedown defense kept him competitive. This fight underscores the high level of competition within the UFC's flyweight and bantamweight divisions. We encourage you to share your thoughts on the fight in the comments below! Look out for our future articles covering other UFC fight breakdowns, Sandhagen fight analysis, and Moreno fight reviews.