Career Averages - Cory Sandhagen
Career Averages - Deiveson Figueiredo
Cory Sandhagen
Deiveson Figueiredo
Cory Sandhagen - Fight History
AJ picks Sandhagen by decision in a competitive three-round affair, noting Bautista is tough but Sandhagen is too much. He wishes it were five rounds.
AJ picks Cory Sandhagen to win a decision in a competitive fight with Mario Bautista. He mentions Sandhagen by decision at plus 180 as a prop, indicating he sees it as a likely outcome but not a finish.
AJ picks Cory Sandhagen by decision, highlighting his elite long-range striking, footwork, and improved wrestling. He believes Sandhagen's precision and ability to create space will neutralize Bautista's pressure and clinch game. He expects a hard-fought three-round fight with Sandhagen doing more damage and avoiding takedowns.
AJ picks Cory Sandhagen to win a decision, citing his crafty striking, dynamic weapons, and superior submission grappling. He believes Sandhagen's footwork and distance management will give Bautista trouble, and that Bautista's volume-based style won't be enough to outwork Sandhagen. AJ also notes that Sandhagen has fought better competition and has a clear edge in the grappling exchanges.
AJ thinks Sandhagen most likely wins by decision, noting that Sandhagen decision at +190 makes sense. He acknowledges the possibility of a submission again but leans toward a decision win. He mentions the fight is expected to go over 2.5 rounds and that the distance is likely.
AJ leans toward Cory Sandhagen, believing his getup game is superior and that he won't be on his back long. He thinks Sandhagen will mix it up striking and take two out of three rounds. AJ also mentions the fight going over 2.5 rounds.
Angelo thinks Mario has improved more than Cory over the years, becoming the cleaner boxer and better wrestler. He notes Cory's awkwardness could trouble Mario but believes Mario's scrambles and overall evolution give him the edge. He placed a quarter unit on Mario at +125.
Angelo picks Mario Bautista because he believes Bautista is the better overall wrestler with incredible scrambles, and has leveled up significantly since their first fight. He notes that Sandhagen's losses are to wrestlers and Bautista is the better wrestler. He thinks Bautista will wrestle and control the fight, and that Sandhagen's striking advantage may not be enough.
Big Brady passes on this fight entirely. He acknowledges Bautista as a live dog but lacks confidence to bet, expecting a close decision that could go to the judges. He does not make a pick.
Big Brady does not have a clear pick for this fight. He calls it a close, high-level bantamweight fight that he doesn't plan to bet on. He notes Sandhagen has better volume and tools on the feet, while Bautista has more power and can win minutes in the clinch and on the mat. He expects a split decision and sees value on Bautista at plus money, but is not committing.
Big Brady picks Mario Bautista to win by split decision. He acknowledges Sandhagen's striking advantage but notes Bautista's improved grappling and Sandhagen's poor takedown defense. He thinks Bautista can mix in takedowns and control the fight. He calls it an extremely close fight and doesn't have a strong read.
Cody picks Cory Sandhagen, highlighting his superior striking, scrambling ability, and takedown defense. He notes Sandhagen's success against elite wrestlers like Umar Nurmagomedov and Moraes, and believes Bautista's wrestling is not at that level. He expects Sandhagen to edge out a decision.
Daniel Levi picks Mario Bautista to upset Cory Sandhagen, citing Sandhagen's tendency to choke in big fights and his recent title fight loss. He notes that Bautista is hungry, coming off a career-best performance, and has a competitive history with Sandhagen. Levi expects a close fight that could go either way, but leans toward the underdog.
Jacob picks Cory Sandhagen because he believes the fight will be mostly striking and Sandhagen rarely loses striking matches. He notes that Sandhagen is more active and lands more strikes, and that Bautista's wrestling may not be enough to overcome Sandhagen's movement and volume. He thinks Sandhagen will outpoint Bautista to a decision win.
Lucrative James picks Mario Bautista via decision, citing Bautista's improved boxing, cage control, and career trajectory. He sees it as a 50/50 fight but favors Bautista as the underdog due to Sandhagen's recent chin issues and Bautista's superior training environment at MMA Lab. He notes Sandhagen's slight edge in kicks and submissions but believes Bautista's advantages in close rounds will be decisive.
The host believes Bautista's improvements in physicality, defensive grappling, and clinch work will allow him to make the fight ugly and grind out a decision win. He thinks Bautista can replicate the style he used against Aldo to neutralize Sandhagen's unorthodox striking.
The host acknowledges Sandhagen won the first meeting via first-round armbar in 2019, but expects Bautista's improvements and physical confidence to help him muzzle Sandhagen, push him against the cage, and edge out a decision.
Paul picks Sandhagen but is torn, acknowledging both fighters have improved. He sees Sandhagen's volume as the key but respects Bautista's growth. He prefers to watch live and possibly bet in-play.
The MMA Guru picks Mario Bautista to win. He is frustrated with Cory Sandhagen, calling him a nerd and stating he is done with him. He believes Bautista will mix in grappling and be the aggressor, which will sway judges. He notes that Sandhagen often lets fights get away from him when the opponent is the lead.
Totals
| Fighter | KD | Sig. Str. | Sig. Str. % | Total Str. | TD | TD % | Sub. Att | Rev. | Ctrl |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Merab Dvalishvili | 0 | 114 of 265 | 43% | 243 of 399 | 20 of 37 | 54% | 0 | 0 | 10:02 |
| Cory Sandhagen | 0 | 80 of 184 | 43% | 149 of 257 | 0 of 0 | --- | 0 | 0 | 0:00 |
Per Round
| Rd | Fighter | KD | Sig. Str. | Sig. Str. % | Total Str. | TD | TD % | Sub. Att | Rev. | Ctrl |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Merab Dvalishvili | 0 | 11 of 46 | 23% | 32 of 67 | 1 of 4 | 25% | 0 | 0 | 0:52 |
| Cory Sandhagen | 0 | 27 of 53 | 50% | 58 of 85 | 0 of 0 | --- | 0 | 0 | 0:00 | |
| 2 | Merab Dvalishvili | 0 | 33 of 49 | 67% | 73 of 92 | 8 of 13 | 61% | 0 | 0 | 3:43 |
| Cory Sandhagen | 0 | 2 of 9 | 22% | 23 of 32 | 0 of 0 | --- | 0 | 0 | 0:00 | |
| 3 | Merab Dvalishvili | 0 | 15 of 48 | 31% | 46 of 80 | 3 of 8 | 37% | 0 | 0 | 1:57 |
| Cory Sandhagen | 0 | 14 of 35 | 40% | 24 of 45 | 0 of 0 | --- | 0 | 0 | 0:00 | |
| 4 | Merab Dvalishvili | 0 | 21 of 56 | 37% | 31 of 66 | 2 of 4 | 50% | 0 | 0 | 1:26 |
| Cory Sandhagen | 0 | 19 of 43 | 44% | 21 of 46 | 0 of 0 | --- | 0 | 0 | 0:00 | |
| 5 | Merab Dvalishvili | 0 | 34 of 66 | 51% | 61 of 94 | 6 of 8 | 75% | 0 | 0 | 2:04 |
| Cory Sandhagen | 0 | 18 of 44 | 40% | 23 of 49 | 0 of 0 | --- | 0 | 0 | 0:00 |
Significant Strikes
| Fighter | Sig. Str. | Sig. Str. % | Head | Body | Leg | Distance | Clinch | Ground |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Merab Dvalishvili | 114 of 265 | 43% | 86 of 231 | 13 of 18 | 15 of 16 | 79 of 220 | 22 of 27 | 13 of 18 |
| Cory Sandhagen | 80 of 184 | 43% | 46 of 143 | 18 of 23 | 16 of 18 | 80 of 184 | 0 of 0 | 0 of 0 |
Significant Strikes Per Round
| Rd | Fighter | Sig. Str. | Sig. Str. % | Head | Body | Leg | Distance | Clinch | Ground |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Merab Dvalishvili | 11 of 46 | 23% | 9 of 42 | 0 of 2 | 2 of 2 | 10 of 45 | 1 of 1 | 0 of 0 |
| Cory Sandhagen | 27 of 53 | 50% | 14 of 39 | 4 of 4 | 9 of 10 | 27 of 53 | 0 of 0 | 0 of 0 | |
| 2 | Merab Dvalishvili | 33 of 49 | 67% | 33 of 49 | 0 of 0 | 0 of 0 | 16 of 25 | 8 of 10 | 9 of 14 |
| Cory Sandhagen | 2 of 9 | 22% | 1 of 6 | 0 of 2 | 1 of 1 | 2 of 9 | 0 of 0 | 0 of 0 | |
| 3 | Merab Dvalishvili | 15 of 48 | 31% | 12 of 44 | 1 of 2 | 2 of 2 | 13 of 45 | 2 of 3 | 0 of 0 |
| Cory Sandhagen | 14 of 35 | 40% | 7 of 28 | 4 of 4 | 3 of 3 | 14 of 35 | 0 of 0 | 0 of 0 | |
| 4 | Merab Dvalishvili | 21 of 56 | 37% | 9 of 42 | 5 of 6 | 7 of 8 | 17 of 52 | 4 of 4 | 0 of 0 |
| Cory Sandhagen | 19 of 43 | 44% | 12 of 34 | 4 of 5 | 3 of 4 | 19 of 43 | 0 of 0 | 0 of 0 | |
| 5 | Merab Dvalishvili | 34 of 66 | 51% | 23 of 54 | 7 of 8 | 4 of 4 | 23 of 53 | 7 of 9 | 4 of 4 |
| Cory Sandhagen | 18 of 44 | 40% | 12 of 36 | 6 of 8 | 0 of 0 | 18 of 44 | 0 of 0 | 0 of 0 |
Play-by-Play
View on SherdogBETTING PREVIEW | SCOUTING REPORT | ODDS: Dvalishvili (-375), Sandhagen (+295)
Round 1
On his current run, 12 different men have tried to defeat Dvalishvili (20-4, 13-2 UFC), with Sean O’Malley undeservedly getting a second bite at the apple only to get submitted in the rematch. One of those names is not Sandhagen (18-5, 11-4 UFC), who is fresh as a daisy and ready to pull off the upset. The bantamweight throne is up for grabs in this one, and referee Marc Goddard brings the two to the center of the cage to issue particulars and get them to touch gloves. There is no ill will between them, so a glove touch is in order.
Sandhagen starts pushing the pace behind a jab, and a low kick gets in before Dvalishvili can fire back. Dvalishvili pump-fakes his way in, and Sandhagen chew up his front leg and pops the champ with a left hand on the way out. When Dvalishvili charges, Sandhagen beats him to the punch and slaps a low kick off the calf. Dvalishvili walks face-first into a left hook, and Sandhagen follows it with two more punches and a calf kick. “Sandman” parries punches and is ready for a takedown shot, stonewalling the beltholder and pushing him back. Dvalishvili sticks out a punch but absorbs an uppercut when backpedaling, and Sandhagen throws low while Dvalishvili goes high. Dvalishvili drops down in pursuit of a single, and when Sandhagen defends the first try, the Georgian switches to a body lock and a trip. Dvalishvili muscles the challenger around but cannot get Sandhagen down on repeated attempts.
Sandhagen plants knees to the body while Dvalishvili is attacking a takedown, and Dvalishvili gets Sandhagen down. The challenger does not seem concerned, as he posts off and stands up without taking much damage going up or down. Sandhagen backs Dvalishvili up and lines up a straight right hand down the pipe, and he chains a few punches into a low kick. Sandhagen scores and evades the counter, keeping to his preferred range at the tail end of a right hand. Dvalishvili tries to bite down on the mouthpiece and trade, but he quickly transitions to a clinch and body lock. Three left hands from Dvalishvili get in before he has to break off, and Dvalishvili stalks him down but eats a jab and part of a step-in knee. Sandhagen sticks and moves, skirting away from everything but a reaching left. Sandhagen strings together combos until the horn sounds.
Sherdog Scores
Jay Pettry scores the round: 10-9 Sandhagen
Dayne Fox scores the round: 10-9 Sandhagen
Scottie Smith scores the round: 10-9 Dvalishvili
Round 2
To start off the round, Dvalishvili loops in a pair of short hooks, opening a cut on the side of the bridge of Sandhagen’s nose. Dvalishvili surges his way into a takedown shot, and he lifts Sandhagen’s leg up in the air but cannot put him down. The frame of Sandhagen keeps him a gangly mess of limbs and fists, and Dvalishvili drags him down for a moment. Sandhagen forces his way up and out, and he works the body and pitches a kick up high. Sandhagen dips in to land a single left hook, and Dvalishvili barely reaches him with one and then gets four back on him. Sandhagen counters with a knee, and Dvalishvili explodes. Without concern for his safety or well-being, Dvalishvili goes for broke, assaulting the challenger with a flurry of fists and feet and hurt him badly.
Sandhagen stays afloat, somehow surviving after taking serious damage, with Dvalishvili stuck to him like a bad penny. Dvalishvili drags him down, and when Sandhagen stands, the Georgian hits a smooth sacrifice takedown where he stomps on the back of Sandhagen’s heels and drags him down. As Dvalishvili is in the driver’s seat, he starts turning Sandhagen into a takedown dummy. While Sandhagen manages to get off the ground quickly when placed there, Dvalishvili gets him down a little longer each time. “The Machine” hurls Sandhagen to his back, and Sandhagen uses his long legs to try for a high guard to protect him. Dvalishvili laughs it off and smacks Sandhagen around, and Sandhagen gets to his seat and up but Dvalishvili is still hanging on from behind. Dvalishvili goes from double to single, and he lets them all go to dance back to his corner before the horn blares.
Sherdog Scores
Jay Pettry scores the round: 10-8 Dvalishvili
Dayne Fox scores the round: 10-8 Dvalishvili
Scottie Smith scores the round: 10-8 Dvalishvili
Round 3
Some referees may have stopped it in the second round when Dvalishvili was beating on his opponent, but Goddard rightfully let it carry on. Sandhagen thanks him for this by coming out of his corner alert and energized, where he commences his offense with long jabs and distance kicks. Dvalishvili tries to reach him with lunging strikes, and Sandhagen is out of range from most of them. Dvalishvili lands at the end of a reaching combo, and he shoots for a double and puts “Sandman” on his knees. Sandhagen powers back to his feet—a version of this will likely be typed a few dozen more times at this rate—and has Dvalishvili behind him keeping him miserable. Sandhagen spins and fights out of the tie-up, and he wings a right hand that is overswung and inaccurate. The American jabs to the body a few times, and Dvalishvili counters with an overhand right. Dvalishvili sits down in the pocket to trade hands, unafraid of the longer striker at this stage in the game. Sandhagen springs forward to jab, and Dvalishvili ducks down to snatch up a single. Turning the attempt to a double, Dvalishvili jams Sandhagen to the wall and against the wire. Sandhagen turns out and resets.
Dvalishvili slowly but methodically approaches the challenger, and he throws a head kick and quickly has to get his guard up to block one from Sandhagen. Dvalishvili lobs four punches, the latter two so he can close distance and go after a single. Sandhagen bounces off the floor back to his feet, and Dvalishvili tries not to let him go but Sandhagen frees himself. Sandhagen chases after the champ with hurled hooks, and he catches Dvalishvili coming in with a short left. Dvalishvili races after a single, and he strips Sandhagen’s footing away and follows him back upright when Sandhagen stands. Dvalishvili uses the leverage of a single to sling Sandhagen to the mat, and he lets Sandhagen up to further exhaust him. As Dvalishvili spams knees to the back of the thigh, he is grinning and laughing. The round wraps.
Sherdog Scores
Jay Pettry scores the round: 10-9 Dvalishvili
Dayne Fox scores the round: 10-9 Dvalishvili
Scottie Smith scores the round: 10-9 Dvalishvili
Round 4
Sandhagen immediate starts the round with jabs outstretched. When Dvalishvili responds, Sandhagen gives him a few punches and a kick to think about. Dvalishvili meanders forward swinging his fists, and he is out of range from everything but a few calf kicks. Sandhagen kicks him back harder, and he drills the champ with a one-two. Dvalishvili catches Sandhagen’s leg out of the air and trips his other to put him down on his knees. Sandhagen wall-walks with the fence at his chest, and Dvalishvili holds him until deciding to try again from a different angle. Sandhagen lines up a left to the liver, and Dvalishvili swarms him with a pair of hooks. Dvalishvili tosses out a low, body and high kick, and he takes another liver shot on the way.
Sandhagen ducks a punch swing, but this only allows Dvalishvili to close in and try to clinch and trip him. “Sandman” gets out of it and reaches the champ with a left hand, and Dvalishvili ducks down for a single. Pushing Sandhagen to the wall, he wrestles Sandhagen down but Sandhagen pulls him with him. This results in a moment where both men just want to stand up, and they do so and reset in kickboxing range. Sandhagen hits a fade-back right hand with Dvalishvili coming at him, and he intercepts the champion with a sharp overhand right. Dvalishvili retaliates with an uppercut up the middle, and he catches Sandhagen upstairs while Sandhagen is flying high in the air with a knee. Sandhagen settles himself down and swats at “The Machine” with body shots. Dvalishvili responds with a one-two down the pipe, and he tosses Sandhagen to the mat on his face. Dvalishvili hangs on with a brabo choke grip, and when the round’s time expires, the two are playful towards one another and celebrating the successes of the other.
Sherdog Scores
Jay Pettry scores the round: 10-9 Sandhagen
Dayne Fox scores the round: 10-9 Dvalishvili
Scottie Smith scores the round: 10-9 Sandhagen
Round 5
Scores could be all over the map, and the fighters are treating it as such as they begin the round trading leather. Sandhagen strikes first, and Dvalishvili spins him around and grabs him from behind to hurl him to the floor. Sandhagen uses the wall to stand, and he breaks off and flashes his jab. Dvalishvili intercepts a one-two, and he clips Sandhagen with a short right. Sandhagen ducks a hook and whiffs on his own left, and Dvalishvili use a standing hammerfist to set up a follow-up strike. Dvalishvili drags the challenger down to a knee, and he is unable to hold him there. Sandhagen breaks and spins for a back kick that knocks the champ into the wall, and when Dvalishvili bounces off, Sandhagen pops him in the chops with a left. Dvalishvili charges for a takedown and sells out for a sacrifice throw, using the awkward position to keep Sandhagen stuck. Sandhagen’s toes are hooked in the fence, to which Goddard warns him to stop doing, and they both fight back to their feet with two minutes to spare.
Sandhagen belts the champ with a left hand, tries a flying knee and catches him with a few more punches. Dvalishvili fires back with a vengeance, opening a cut on the side of Sandhagen’s left eye. When Sandhagen gets some work done, Dvalishvili stops him in his tracks with a double. For the first time in the fight, Dvalishvili has Sandhagen down and flat on his back. Sandhagen is quick to turn to his knees, and at the 30-second mark, he stands. Dvalishvili wrenches him right back down, and Sandhagen pops back up. Once more Dvalishvili gets him down, and Sandhagen explodes to his feet and unleashes a bomb of a left hand that hurts the champion badly. Dvalishvili keeps a stiff upper lip, but he is retreating with a funny look on his face, and Sandhagen elects of all final attacks to throw a spinning wheel kick that is nowhere near the mark. Dvalishvili dances away, and the fight ends. The takedown title in a UFC championship bout is almost certain Dvalishvili’s as he cruised past 100 in the Octagon to date. Even on arguably Sandhagen’s best day, it still does not appear to be enough to surpass “The Machine.” The conversation is still premature, but every victory for the Georgian puts him one step closer to becoming the greatest bantamweight in the sport’s history.
Sherdog Scores
Jay Pettry scores the round: 10-9 Dvalishvili (48-46 Dvalishvili)
Dayne Fox scores the round: 10-9 Dvalishvili (49-45 Dvalishvili)
Scottie Smith scores the round: 10-9 Dvalishvili (49-45 Dvalishvili)
The Official Result
Merab Dvalishvili def. Cory Sandhagen via Unanimous Decision (49-45, 49-45, 49-46)
Angelo picks Merab Dvalishvili, acknowledging that Cory Sandhagen is a tough matchup with good skills everywhere. He believes Merab's non-stop chain wrestling and cardio are his biggest weapons, and that Sandhagen is better than Sean O'Malley but still likely to lose. He notes that Sandhagen's cardio slowed against Umar, and that Merab's pressure will be overwhelming.
Big Brady thinks the fight will be competitive but clear in favor of Dvalishvili. He notes that Sandhagen has advantages in height, reach, and striking, but Dvalishvili's wrestling and ability to dictate where the fight takes place will be key. He expects Dvalishvili to win by decision, possibly 49-46 or 48-47. He does not like the line but is not picking against Dvalishvili.
Connor picks Dvalishvili, agreeing with Zane that Sandhagen's physicality is a major concern. He highlights that Sandhagen's best path is to pressure Merab and keep him on the back foot, but even then, Merab's wrestling and durability make it hard to win a decision. Connor also notes that Sandhagen lacks finishing power at the highest level, making it unlikely he stops Merab.
The host expects a classic Dvalishvili performance with takedowns and control time, possibly threatening submissions, but Sandhagen will be too slippery to catch, leading to a decision win for Dvalishvili.
The MMA Guru picks Merab Dvalishvili, citing his relentless pace, takedowns, and improving striking. He notes Cory Sandhagen's lack of finishing ability and tendency to leave fights close. He predicts a 49-46 or 48-47 decision.
Zane picks Dvalishvili because he believes Sandhagen lacks the physicality to consistently win scrambles and wrestling exchanges against Merab. He notes that Sandhagen has struggled against elite wrestlers like Umar Nurmagomedov and that Merab's endless cardio and improved striking make him a nightmare matchup. Zane also points out that even if Sandhagen has a good round or two, he is unlikely to finish Merab and will likely be worn down over five rounds.
Totals
| Fighter | KD | Sig. Str. | Sig. Str. % | Total Str. | TD | TD % | Sub. Att | Rev. | Ctrl |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Cory Sandhagen | 0 | 54 of 87 | 62% | 92 of 149 | 2 of 2 | 100% | 0 | 1 | 5:07 |
| Deiveson Figueiredo | 0 | 6 of 9 | 66% | 8 of 11 | 2 of 5 | 40% | 0 | 1 | 0:31 |
Per Round
| Rd | Fighter | KD | Sig. Str. | Sig. Str. % | Total Str. | TD | TD % | Sub. Att | Rev. | Ctrl |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Cory Sandhagen | 0 | 31 of 39 | 79% | 53 of 78 | 1 of 1 | 100% | 0 | 0 | 3:37 |
| Deiveson Figueiredo | 0 | 2 of 2 | 100% | 3 of 3 | 1 of 4 | 25% | 0 | 0 | 0:04 | |
| 2 | Cory Sandhagen | 0 | 23 of 48 | 47% | 39 of 71 | 1 of 1 | 100% | 0 | 1 | 1:30 |
| Deiveson Figueiredo | 0 | 4 of 7 | 57% | 5 of 8 | 1 of 1 | 100% | 0 | 1 | 0:27 |
Significant Strikes
| Fighter | Sig. Str. | Sig. Str. % | Head | Body | Leg | Distance | Clinch | Ground |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Cory Sandhagen | 54 of 87 | 62% | 33 of 65 | 2 of 2 | 19 of 20 | 24 of 43 | 0 of 0 | 30 of 44 |
| Deiveson Figueiredo | 6 of 9 | 66% | 4 of 6 | 0 of 0 | 2 of 3 | 4 of 7 | 2 of 2 | 0 of 0 |
Significant Strikes Per Round
| Rd | Fighter | Sig. Str. | Sig. Str. % | Head | Body | Leg | Distance | Clinch | Ground |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Cory Sandhagen | 31 of 39 | 79% | 22 of 30 | 1 of 1 | 8 of 8 | 10 of 13 | 0 of 0 | 21 of 26 |
| Deiveson Figueiredo | 2 of 2 | 100% | 1 of 1 | 0 of 0 | 1 of 1 | 1 of 1 | 1 of 1 | 0 of 0 | |
| 2 | Cory Sandhagen | 23 of 48 | 47% | 11 of 35 | 1 of 1 | 11 of 12 | 14 of 30 | 0 of 0 | 9 of 18 |
| Deiveson Figueiredo | 4 of 7 | 57% | 3 of 5 | 0 of 0 | 1 of 2 | 3 of 6 | 1 of 1 | 0 of 0 |
Play-by-Play
View on SherdogBETTING PREVIEW | SCOUTING REPORT | ODDS: Sandhagen (-500), Figueiredo (+380)
Round 1
The final bout to grace Wells Fargo Arena on this Saturday features Sandhagen, a longtime bantamweight contender who has picked up an impressive collection of scalps while not-so-patiently waiting his chance at UFC gold, against a man in Figueiredo who has already worn the flyweight version of that hardware twice, and hopes a win over “The Sandman” will allow him to skip the line at age 38. Overseeing this ultra-high stakes clash will be veteran referee Dan Miragliotta, who thankfully has shown no sign of the clapper-versus-horn confusion that plagued him at UFC Kansas City last week. Both contenders are in orthodox stance, and it is the taller Sandhagen who takes the front foot in the early going. Figueiredo scores with a calf kick, and Sandhagen clinches and moves his foe to the fence. They jockey for position there, punctuated by a few short strikes, before disengaging. Figueiredo lands a solid uppercut on the break. They move back to the center of the Octagon and Figueiredo lands another uppercut, then changes levels and pulls the action to the canvas. Figueiredo moves to Sandhagen’s back in a flash, and looks close to securing back mount before Sandhagen tripods and elevates his hips, trying to get the Brazilian to slide off the top. He succeeds, but Figueiredo tries to hop back onto his back and actually threatens to do so for a moment. He bails and Sandhagen lands on top. Figueiredo looks for a heel hook, but Sandhagen gets to a safe spot and smashes Figueiredo with hammerfists. Figueiredo gives up the leglock and scrambles to get up, but Sandhagen ends up on top again in half guard. Figueiredo again attacks a leg, and again Sandhagen crushes the space, gets his leg out of danger and punishes “Deus da Guerra” with some thudding ground-and-pound. The round ends with Sandhagen above Figueiredo, calmly looking for openings to punch.
Sherdog Scores
Ben Duffy scores the round: 10-9 Sandhagen
Brian Knapp scores the round: 10-9 Sandhagen
Tyler Treese scores the round: 10-9 Sandhagen
Round 2
Sandhagen claims the center of the cage to open Round 2 and Figueiredo meets him there. They exchange low kicks that land and punching combinations that mostly glance or miss. Figueiredo changes levels for a slick single-leg, dragging Sandhagen to the floor. There, they briefly find themselves in a “leglock race” position that must have Ryan Hall shaking his head in Sandhagen’s corner. They return to their feet and moments later, it’s Sandhagen who times his man nicely for a level change, depositing the former flyweight champ on his rear and setting up in his guard. Sandhagen throws a salvo of punches with both hands, but loses top position a few moments later and ends up with Figueiredo standing over him out of half guard.
Sandhagen reaches for a leglock from the bottom and their legs become entwined as Sandhagen jumps back into his opponent’s guard. Sandhagen sweeps to top position and throws a couple of punches before it becomes apparent that Figueiredo is done fighting. Figueiredo taps in obvious pain as Miragliotta jumps in and waves off the fight. Replay shows that the entanglement of Sandhagen’s right leg and Figuereido’s left resulted in a knee injury to the Brazilian.
It surely isn’t how they drew it up in the gym, but as Sandhagen stands alone to have his hand raised while his stricken opponent is helped back to the locker rooms, he has made a solid case for at shot at the belt in his next fight.
The Official Result
Cory Sandhagen def. Deiveson Figueiredo R2 4:08 via TKO (Knee Injury)
Angelo is very confident in Cory Sandhagen, citing his superior striking, footwork, and durability. He believes Figueiredo's improved cardio and wrestling at bantamweight will not be enough to overcome Sandhagen's skills. He expects Sandhagen to win eight out of ten times and would bet if the odds drop to -300 or better.
Big Brady is confident in Cory Sandhagen, citing a rough matchup for Figueiredo. He notes that Figueiredo is undersized at bantamweight, his power hasn't translated, and he struggles with volume. Sandhagen has a great chin, cardio, and volume advantage, and will outland Figueiredo significantly. Figueiredo relies on moments, but Sandhagen is durable and hard to take down. Brady expects Sandhagen to pick Figueiredo apart over five rounds.
Connor agrees with Zane, emphasizing that Sandhagen can beat Figueiredo in every phase, including on the ground. He highlights Sandhagen's calmness in grappling positions, similar to Yan's ability to stall Figueiredo's back takes. Connor notes that Figueiredo's power is real but his speed is declining, and Sandhagen's size and durability make him a tough target. He calls it a straightforward pick but expects a competitive fight.
This is a perfect stylistic matchup for Sandhagen. Figueiredo may grapple early but can't keep it up for more than two rounds. Sandhagen's output, cardio, volume, and grappling will allow him to win at least three of the last four rounds and win a decision.
The MMA Guru picks Cory Sandhagen to win by TKO in round four, possibly due to a doctor stoppage from swelling. He believes Sandhagen's range, footwork, and jab will frustrate Figueiredo, who struggles with taller opponents. He compares it to Moreno's performance but expects Sandhagen to do more damage. He notes that Sandhagen has a good chin and can survive knockdowns. He thinks the odds are crazy and Sandhagen should be a -250 favorite.
Zane sees Sandhagen as a steady, adaptable technician who can fight well wherever the fight goes. He notes that Figueiredo's low output and reliance on singular moments of offense won't work against Sandhagen over five rounds. Zane also points out that Sandhagen's size and calm grappling defense will neutralize Figueiredo's takedowns, similar to how Yan handled them. He acknowledges Figueiredo's power but believes Sandhagen's consistency and volume will carry him to a decision win.
Totals
| Fighter | KD | Sig. Str. | Sig. Str. % | Total Str. | TD | TD % | Sub. Att | Rev. | Ctrl |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Umar Nurmagomedov | 0 | 71 of 159 | 44% | 80 of 172 | 0 of 2 | 0% | 0 | 0 | 0:12 |
| Cory Sandhagen | 0 | 98 of 187 | 52% | 123 of 219 | 5 of 13 | 38% | 0 | 0 | 5:11 |
Per Round
| Rd | Fighter | KD | Sig. Str. | Sig. Str. % | Total Str. | TD | TD % | Sub. Att | Rev. | Ctrl |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Umar Nurmagomedov | 0 | 17 of 34 | 50% | 17 of 36 | 0 of 0 | --- | 0 | 0 | 0:00 |
| Cory Sandhagen | 0 | 15 of 28 | 53% | 15 of 28 | 1 of 4 | 25% | 0 | 0 | 0:39 | |
| 2 | Umar Nurmagomedov | 0 | 16 of 32 | 50% | 20 of 36 | 0 of 0 | --- | 0 | 0 | 0:12 |
| Cory Sandhagen | 0 | 24 of 42 | 57% | 24 of 42 | 1 of 3 | 33% | 0 | 0 | 0:55 | |
| 3 | Umar Nurmagomedov | 0 | 12 of 30 | 40% | 12 of 30 | 0 of 0 | --- | 0 | 0 | 0:00 |
| Cory Sandhagen | 0 | 17 of 27 | 62% | 20 of 30 | 1 of 2 | 50% | 0 | 0 | 0:25 | |
| 4 | Umar Nurmagomedov | 0 | 20 of 53 | 37% | 20 of 53 | 0 of 0 | --- | 0 | 0 | 0:00 |
| Cory Sandhagen | 0 | 30 of 65 | 46% | 32 of 67 | 1 of 2 | 50% | 0 | 0 | 0:36 | |
| 5 | Umar Nurmagomedov | 0 | 6 of 10 | 60% | 11 of 17 | 0 of 2 | 0% | 0 | 0 | 0:00 |
| Cory Sandhagen | 0 | 12 of 25 | 48% | 32 of 52 | 1 of 2 | 50% | 0 | 0 | 2:36 |
Significant Strikes
| Fighter | Sig. Str. | Sig. Str. % | Head | Body | Leg | Distance | Clinch | Ground |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Umar Nurmagomedov | 71 of 159 | 44% | 26 of 94 | 18 of 32 | 27 of 33 | 71 of 158 | 0 of 1 | 0 of 0 |
| Cory Sandhagen | 98 of 187 | 52% | 48 of 124 | 27 of 39 | 23 of 24 | 96 of 182 | 2 of 5 | 0 of 0 |
Significant Strikes Per Round
| Rd | Fighter | Sig. Str. | Sig. Str. % | Head | Body | Leg | Distance | Clinch | Ground |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Umar Nurmagomedov | 17 of 34 | 50% | 4 of 16 | 4 of 7 | 9 of 11 | 17 of 34 | 0 of 0 | 0 of 0 |
| Cory Sandhagen | 15 of 28 | 53% | 8 of 18 | 3 of 5 | 4 of 5 | 15 of 27 | 0 of 1 | 0 of 0 | |
| 2 | Umar Nurmagomedov | 16 of 32 | 50% | 6 of 16 | 4 of 9 | 6 of 7 | 16 of 32 | 0 of 0 | 0 of 0 |
| Cory Sandhagen | 24 of 42 | 57% | 11 of 27 | 7 of 9 | 6 of 6 | 23 of 40 | 1 of 2 | 0 of 0 | |
| 3 | Umar Nurmagomedov | 12 of 30 | 40% | 2 of 13 | 2 of 7 | 8 of 10 | 12 of 30 | 0 of 0 | 0 of 0 |
| Cory Sandhagen | 17 of 27 | 62% | 2 of 6 | 7 of 13 | 8 of 8 | 17 of 27 | 0 of 0 | 0 of 0 | |
| 4 | Umar Nurmagomedov | 20 of 53 | 37% | 11 of 43 | 7 of 8 | 2 of 2 | 20 of 53 | 0 of 0 | 0 of 0 |
| Cory Sandhagen | 30 of 65 | 46% | 21 of 55 | 5 of 6 | 4 of 4 | 29 of 63 | 1 of 2 | 0 of 0 | |
| 5 | Umar Nurmagomedov | 6 of 10 | 60% | 3 of 6 | 1 of 1 | 2 of 3 | 6 of 9 | 0 of 1 | 0 of 0 |
| Cory Sandhagen | 12 of 25 | 48% | 6 of 18 | 5 of 6 | 1 of 1 | 12 of 25 | 0 of 0 | 0 of 0 |
Play-by-Play
View on SherdogBETTING PREVIEW | SCOUTING REPORT | ODDS: Nurmagomedov (-305), Sandhagen (+245)
Round 1
When the dust settles and a maximum of 25 minutes elapses, a bantamweight title challenger will almost certainly emerge. Having never vied for the undisputed throne, Sandhagen (17-4, 10-3 UFC) wants to prove the naysayers wrong and hand Nurmagomedov (17-0, 5-0 UFC) his first pro defeat. While a large step up in competition for the Russian, bettors largely favor him to get his hand raised. Referee Marc Goddard will handle the particulars for the next five rounds or fewer, and he brings the two combatants to the center of the cage to formally touch gloves and initiate the proceedings. Sandhagen darts in and continually pulls back, keeping out of range of a head kick or two that comes at him. They trade leg kicks, and Nurmagomedov shoots in for a single. Dragging Sandhagen to the mat for a moment, Nurmagomedov manages to take the back but Sandhagen is able to wriggle away and get back to the middle of the cage. Nurmagomedov reaches him with a one-two, and Sandhagen kicks him hard on the lead leg. Nurmagomedov tries to catch it, and he abandons it to launch a head kick that bounces off the shoulder. Sandhagen scores a right hand and a low kick, and he reaches the midsection with a long right hand before bouncing away from a kick. Nurmagomedov attacks a single, and Sandhagen hops on the other leg and slashes with an elbow before fighting it off. Sandhagen wings a left hook that buzzes past his foe, and he hops forward with a jab. Sandhagen connects with a head kick, and the foot brushes the cup and Sandhagen stops to make sure Nurmagomedov is ok. He is. Leg kicks fly from both sides, with Sandhagen adding more and tripping Nurmagomedov up. Nurmagomedov falls on his side awkwardly, and he bounces back up while Sandhagen gives chase. Nurmagomedov counters a leg kick with a hard left over the top, and he eats a swiping left hook. Nurmagomedov strikes, slips and escapes, but Sandhagen follows him and hammers him with a kick on the calf. Nurmagomedov fakes an entry on a takedown, and he sticks his man, gets countered and lands a heavy leg kick. Front kicks from both men connect, and Sandhagen jumps forward with a switch kick that hits the body. Nurmagomedov ducks a punch and hits a takedown, allowing Sandhagen to scramble so he can take the back. They get tangled up like 135-pound pretzels, and Sandhagen smacks him with a few hammerfists until the bell.
Sherdog Scores
Jay Pettry scores the round: 10-9 Sandhagen
Brian Knapp scores the round: 10-9 Nurmagomedov
Tristen Critchfield scores the round: 10-9 Sandhagen
Round 2
Sandhagen strides out of his corner stopping before a front kick can reach him, but in range so that his front leg gets kicked. Sandhagen kicks him back and defends a single, sprawling effectively while pushing on the back of his foe’s head. Nurmagomedov turns the corner and grabs hold of Sandhagen from behind, and Sandhagen works his way to the fence to lean on it. Nurmagomedov knees him on the break, and when they reset, Sandhagen snaps his head to the side with a left hook. Nurmagomedov misses with a head kick and eats a jab, and he tries to reach the target with a one-two that comes up short. Sandhagen lands a thudding left hand and gets countered tossing out a leg kick with a left to the chest. Sandhagen jumps forward but pulls back from the knee as Nurmagomedov wants to catch him, and a volley of low kicks soon flies. Sandhagen chops down the front leg, prompting a stance switch, and Nurmagomedov lunges with a body shot. They take turns kicking one another in the calf and launching one-twos, and alternating kicks are released. Nurmagomedov slaps Sandhagen in the face with the instep of his foot, and Sandhagen does not register the blow and boots Nurmagomedov upside the head with his own kick. Sandhagen eats a right and responds with a left, and he jabs and tries to parry a front kick aimed at his nose. Sandhagen connects with a low kick, and the Russian is ready and willing to counter with a left over the top. The punches from Nurmagomedov have opened a cut on the eyebrow of his opponent, and Nurmagomedov attempts a takedown and manages to take Sandhagen to his seat. Nurmagomedov tries to take the back and is warned for grabbing inside the gloves, and he gets hold of Sandhagen’s back and locks down a brief crucifix. Nurmagomedov flirts with a choke for a second, but Sandhagen explodes to his feet and spins around. Nurmagomedov trips him to the floor, and Sandhagen gets up and lands a front kick before the horn sounds.
Sherdog Scores
Jay Pettry scores the round: 10-9 Nurmagomedov
Brian Knapp scores the round: 10-9 Nurmagomedov
Tristen Critchfield scores the round: 10-9 Nurmagomedov
Round 3
Leading the dance again is Sandhagen, who makes the Russian back away courtesy of his measuring jab. Nurmagomedov slaps a kick beneath the armpit of his foe, and his front leg gets kicked in response. Nurmagomedov scores a calf kick, and Sandhagen switches stances and engages. The kicks from “The Sandman” are getting the attention of the unbeaten fighter, who is raising his leg preemptively when not trying to catch them. Nurmagomedov kicks the front leg and whiffs on a head kick, and Sandhagen kicks his foe’s raised limb. Nurmagomedov hammers another kick low, and he tries to check one flying back his direction. Sandhagen jabs his way in, but nothing follows it. Nurmagomedov brushes past the hair with a kick, and Sandhagen slams his shin on both sides. The two bantamweights remain at this snail’s pace for some time, both appearing to take the round off. Sandhagen kicks the calf and Nurmagomedov shoots for a takedown right after it, resulting in Sandhagen bouncing away and breaking the grip to escape. Leg kicks keep getting traded, and he blocks a body kick and pushes a front kick to the chest. Sandhagen jumps with a switch kick that lands to the body, and Nurmagomedov manages to kick him back to the side. Nurmagomedov jams a left hand to the breadbasket, and Sandhagen leaps into action with a punch and a kick. Nurmagomedov chases him around aiming body shots, and Sandhagen intercepts him with a knee. Nurmagomedov goes for a takedown, and as Sandhagen gives up his back to stand, Nurmagomedov gladly obliges to take it in the scramble, Sandhagen sits comfortably until the round ends.
Sherdog Scores
Jay Pettry scores the round: 10-9 Nurmagomedov
Brian Knapp scores the round: 10-9 Nurmagomedov
Tristen Critchfield scores the round: 10-9 Nurmagomedov
Round 4
The championship rounds have been reached, and Sandhagen pushes the pace with several jabs and follow-up right hands. Nurmagomedov responds with a pair of high kicks, and both a get blocked. Nurmagomedov shovels a few uppercuts to the chin, and Sandhagen rushes after him with a short combination. Two hooks from Sandhagen miss the mark, and the third graces the chin. Sandhagen lands a clean left hook, and Nurmagomedov places two punches on the jaw. Sandhagen again scores his dipping hook, and then a third time. Nurmagomedov jabs and throws crosses, and Sandhagen reaches him at the end of a right hand. They are taking turns once again in engaging, and Sandhagen starts while Nurmagomedov ends these exchanges. Nurmagomedov lands a flush one-two, only to be met with a left from “The Sandman.” It cleanly catches his man again, prompting Nurmagomedov to string three punches back at him. Sandhagen hammers the body and is countered with a left hook, and he defends against a looping body shot. The Russian finds his home with a body kick, and Sandhagen clips him with an uppercut. They both trade heavy shots, and Nurmagomedov concludes the combo with a right before exiting. Sandhagen does wide with a high kick, and Nurmagomedov retaliates with a trio of fleet fists. Sandhagen scores a solid low kick, and he comes up just short with a front kick. Nurmagomedov ducks a punch to procure a takedown, and he succeeds in dragging Sandhagen to a knee from behind. Sandhagen rolls through and pushes off the fence, turning himself around but eating a few punches in the process. Sandhagen responds with his own double try before the horn blares.
Sherdog Scores
Jay Pettry scores the round: 10-9 Nurmagomedov
Brian Knapp scores the round: 10-9 Nurmagomedov
Tristen Critchfield scores the round: 10-9 Nurmagomedov
Round 5
The first punch of the last round is scored by Sandhagen, with a left hook that he has find the last round or so. Sandhagen switches stances and delivers leg kicks, and he is shoved away by a front kick. Sandhagen chops down the lead wheel, and he blocks a body kick to lash out with a calf kick. Sandhagen shoots for a single, and he bails on it to go over the top with a left hook. Nurmagomedov shrugs it off and comes out swinging, with a right to the body and a missed right hook upstairs. Sandhagen goes after another single, with nothing on it. Sandhagen again tries a big overhand right, and Nurmagomedov is there to back him off with three crisp punches and a body kick. Sandhagen stands Nurmagomedov up with a right hand, but Nurmagomedov is quick to shake it off and coming back strong. Sandhagen dodges the front kick, and he is forced to defend a takedown attempt where the Russian takes him from behind and follows him while rolling. Sandhagen sets up a triangle choke when Nurmagomedov turns over to take top position, but Nurmagomedov works through it and establishes top control. Sandhagen looks to his corner for advice, and he rolls over to give his back up. Nurmagomedov gets a hook in and holds his leg over Sandhagen’s right arm, but Sandhagen’s scramble allows him to flip him around and attack a single. Nurmagomedov follows this roll with his own roll, and he sits on Sandhagen’s face before sliding around to establish half guard. Nurmagomedov clings to top position, cruising to a win while landing some occasional ground-and-pound. Nurmagomedov holds on, doing what he needs to do to get his hand raised. This is easily the biggest win in the career of the cousin of Khabib Nurmagomedov, who is now a perfect 18-0 and likely the next man in line to face the winner of Sean O’Malley vs. Merab Dvalishvili. No matter who that ends up being, we will be here for it. We hope you are too.
Sherdog Scores
Jay Pettry scores the round: 10-9 Nurmagomedov (49-46 Nurmagomedov)
Brian Knapp scores the round: 10-9 Nurmagomedov (50-45 Nurmagomedov)
Tristen Critchfield scores the round: 10-9 Nurmagomedov (49-46 Nurmagomedov)
The Official Result
Umar Nurmagomedov def. Cory Sandhagen via Unanimous Decision (50-45, 49-46, 49-46)
Angelo picks Nurmagomedov because of his elite wrestling and chain takedowns. He notes Sandhagen has been taken down by everyone who tried, and despite being more well-rounded, he doesn't see Sandhagen defending the takedowns. He expects Nurmagomedov to cruise to a decision.
Big Brady believes Umar is a future champion and that this is a winnable stylistic matchup. He notes Sandhagen's takedown defense has improved but is still suspect, and Umar should have no problem taking the fight to the ground and controlling it. He predicts Umar wins by decision, acknowledging Sandhagen is being disrespected by the odds.
Cody picks Umar Nurmagomedov, citing his wrestling and top control as key advantages. He notes that Umar is a 28-year-old Russian talent with solid top pressure and positional soundness, though his wrestling isn't as dominant as Khabib's. Cody believes Umar will use takedowns to neutralize Sandhagen's striking and win a unanimous decision. He acknowledges the line is wide but trusts the Dagestani game plan.
Daniel is torn on this fight. He acknowledges Umar's undefeated record and the Dagestani mystique, especially in Abu Dhabi, but questions his level of competition. He notes Sandhagen's elite resume and improvements since the Yan loss, including increased takedown attempts. Ultimately, he reluctantly picks Umar due to the location and potential, but admits he has no clear read and considers it a dog or pass from a betting perspective.
Nurmagomedov's overall skill set will allow him to stay away from Sandhagen's unorthodox striking. He will eventually resort to wrestling, keeping Sandhagen on his back and grinding out a decision win.
Paul picks Umar Nurmagomedov, emphasizing his wrestling and the fact that Sandhagen has struggled against elite grapplers. He notes Sandhagen's takedown defense has improved but there are levels, and Umar's striking is also coming along. Paul expects Umar to mix in takedowns and control the fight, similar to what Belal Muhammad does. He mentions the line is wide but still sides with Umar.
The MMA Guru picks Umar Nurmagomedov over Cory Sandhagen, believing Sandhagen is too weak despite his technique. He thinks Umar's size and strength will allow him to hold Sandhagen down, especially in Abu Dhabi where standups are rare. He notes Sandhagen's lack of power and poor wrestling compared to Umar. He predicts a boring 49-46 decision for Umar.
Totals
| Fighter | KD | Sig. Str. | Sig. Str. % | Total Str. | TD | TD % | Sub. Att | Rev. | Ctrl |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Cory Sandhagen | 0 | 34 of 84 | 40% | 132 of 211 | 7 of 7 | 100% | 1 | 0 | 19:38 |
| Rob Font | 0 | 9 of 49 | 18% | 25 of 69 | 1 of 2 | 50% | 0 | 0 | 1:08 |
Per Round
| Rd | Fighter | KD | Sig. Str. | Sig. Str. % | Total Str. | TD | TD % | Sub. Att | Rev. | Ctrl |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Cory Sandhagen | 0 | 8 of 26 | 30% | 27 of 51 | 2 of 2 | 100% | 0 | 0 | 2:43 |
| Rob Font | 0 | 5 of 22 | 22% | 6 of 24 | 1 of 1 | 100% | 0 | 0 | 0:23 | |
| 2 | Cory Sandhagen | 0 | 7 of 15 | 46% | 38 of 54 | 1 of 1 | 100% | 0 | 0 | 4:41 |
| Rob Font | 0 | 0 of 7 | 0% | 4 of 12 | 0 of 0 | --- | 0 | 0 | 0:00 | |
| 3 | Cory Sandhagen | 0 | 10 of 24 | 41% | 27 of 48 | 1 of 1 | 100% | 0 | 0 | 3:43 |
| Rob Font | 0 | 4 of 10 | 40% | 4 of 11 | 0 of 0 | --- | 0 | 0 | 0:00 | |
| 4 | Cory Sandhagen | 0 | 6 of 11 | 54% | 29 of 39 | 2 of 2 | 100% | 0 | 0 | 4:41 |
| Rob Font | 0 | 0 of 4 | 0% | 2 of 7 | 0 of 0 | --- | 0 | 0 | 0:00 | |
| 5 | Cory Sandhagen | 0 | 3 of 8 | 37% | 11 of 19 | 1 of 1 | 100% | 1 | 0 | 3:50 |
| Rob Font | 0 | 0 of 6 | 0% | 9 of 15 | 0 of 1 | 0% | 0 | 0 | 0:45 |
Significant Strikes
| Fighter | Sig. Str. | Sig. Str. % | Head | Body | Leg | Distance | Clinch | Ground |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Cory Sandhagen | 34 of 84 | 40% | 30 of 79 | 2 of 3 | 2 of 2 | 10 of 47 | 0 of 1 | 24 of 36 |
| Rob Font | 9 of 49 | 18% | 5 of 43 | 2 of 3 | 2 of 3 | 8 of 44 | 0 of 3 | 1 of 2 |
Significant Strikes Per Round
| Rd | Fighter | Sig. Str. | Sig. Str. % | Head | Body | Leg | Distance | Clinch | Ground |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Cory Sandhagen | 8 of 26 | 30% | 6 of 23 | 1 of 2 | 1 of 1 | 5 of 19 | 0 of 1 | 3 of 6 |
| Rob Font | 5 of 22 | 22% | 2 of 18 | 1 of 1 | 2 of 3 | 4 of 17 | 0 of 3 | 1 of 2 | |
| 2 | Cory Sandhagen | 7 of 15 | 46% | 6 of 14 | 0 of 0 | 1 of 1 | 1 of 7 | 0 of 0 | 6 of 8 |
| Rob Font | 0 of 7 | 0% | 0 of 7 | 0 of 0 | 0 of 0 | 0 of 7 | 0 of 0 | 0 of 0 | |
| 3 | Cory Sandhagen | 10 of 24 | 41% | 9 of 23 | 1 of 1 | 0 of 0 | 2 of 14 | 0 of 0 | 8 of 10 |
| Rob Font | 4 of 10 | 40% | 3 of 9 | 1 of 1 | 0 of 0 | 4 of 10 | 0 of 0 | 0 of 0 | |
| 4 | Cory Sandhagen | 6 of 11 | 54% | 6 of 11 | 0 of 0 | 0 of 0 | 1 of 3 | 0 of 0 | 5 of 8 |
| Rob Font | 0 of 4 | 0% | 0 of 4 | 0 of 0 | 0 of 0 | 0 of 4 | 0 of 0 | 0 of 0 | |
| 5 | Cory Sandhagen | 3 of 8 | 37% | 3 of 8 | 0 of 0 | 0 of 0 | 1 of 4 | 0 of 0 | 2 of 4 |
| Rob Font | 0 of 6 | 0% | 0 of 5 | 0 of 1 | 0 of 0 | 0 of 6 | 0 of 0 | 0 of 0 |
Play-by-Play
View on SherdogBETTING PREVIEW | SCOUTING REPORT | ODDS: Sandhagen (-330), Font (+240)
Round 1
Jason Herzog is the official for the night’s catchweight headliner. Sandhagen shoots for a takedown within 15 seconds and succeeds. Font grabs a guillotine, and Sandhagen tries to discourage it with some upward elbows. Sandhagen escapes, and now Font is threatening with a kimura. It works as hoped because he is able to sweep. Back standing, Sandhagen tags Font with a stiff straight shot. Font lands a jab and then an uppercut. Sandhagen lands a nicely-timed double-leg takedown. Font creates space and Sandhagen leaps in with a right as his foe attempts to stand. Font clings to a leg, but Sandhagen assumes top position. Sandhagen is in half guard now, landing some right hands to the side of the head. Font uses the butterfly guard to create some space, and he’s up. Font lands a leg kick but comes up short on a combination. Sandhagen throws a body kick, but Font catches it and shoves his man to the floor. Font works to the back and lands a knee to the body before Sandhagen stands at the horn.
Sherdog Scores
Tristen Critchfield scores the round: 10-9 Sandhagen
Brian Knapp scores the round: 10-9 Sandhagen
Tyler Treese scores the round: 10-9 Sandhagen
Round 2
Font pressures early with punches. Another quick takedown for the Elevation Fight Team product, and he moves to half guard. Sandhagen drives his forearm into Font’s face and lands a short elbow. Font looks to utilize the butterfly guard to create space, but Sandhagen floats above him. The Nashville crowd is getting restless with the grappling-heavy affair. Sandhagen maintains top position at the halfway mark of the round. Font is getting close, but he can’t quite execute the sweep. Sandhagen lands another short elbow. Sandhagen keeps Font’s leg hooked in half guard and continues to control the action from above. Sandhagen fires another short elbow at his foe’s head. Font is neutralizing the majority of Sandhagen’s offense from his back, but that’s about all he’s doing. Sandhagen drops another elbow before the end of the round as boos rain down at the horn.
Sherdog Scores
Tristen Critchfield scores the round: 10-9 Sandhagen
Brian Knapp scores the round: 10-9 Sandhagen
Tyler Treese scores the round: 10-9 Sandhagen
Round 3
Font angles out and lands a glancing right hand. The fighters trade jabs. A right uppercut gets through for Font, and Sandhagen answers with a switch knee. Shortly thereafter, Sandhagen encounters little resistance on his takedown, drawing more boos from the Nashville fans. Sandhagen lands a couple shoulder strikes from above. He shoves Fonts head down and follows with a short elbow. Sandhagen continues to work from half guard. Font looks to isolate an arm for a sweep, but Sandhagen is able to free himself. Font nearly scrambles up but Sandhagen dives back into top position with some effective ground-and-pound. Sandhagen stays heavy and connects with an elbow. A hammerfist and an elbow land for Sandhagen. Font is finally able to get to his feet with 35 seconds left and Sandhagen launches a flying knee that lands on the chest. Font lands a right before the end of the frame.
Sherdog Scores
Tristen Critchfield scores the round: 10-9 Sandhagen
Brian Knapp scores the round: 10-9 Sandhagen
Tyler Treese scores the round: 10-9 Sandhagen
Round 4
Font pressures with a combination early and Sandhagen threatens but misses the mark with a flying knee. The exchange is fleeting, however, as Sandhagen executes another takedown less than 30 seconds in. Font’s defensive grappling keeps him from getting hurt, but he’s not offering much of a threat to return to his feet. Sandhagen sneaks another elbow through. Sandhagen is heavy on top, though he isn’t finding much space to land offense. Font briefly scoots to a seated position, but Sandhagen pulls his legs back out. Heavy shoulder pressure from Sandhagen near the fence. Font sits up, posts an arm and threatens with a guillotine. The crowd chants for Jason Herzog to stand them up, but the veteran official isn’t taking the bait. Font is still fighting to stand, and he’s up, but only for a second as Sandhagen drags him right back down. As time winds down, Sandhagen lands a right and an elbow.
Sherdog Scores
Tristen Critchfield scores the round: 10-9 Sandhagen
Brian Knapp scores the round: 10-9 Sandhagen
Tyler Treese scores the round: 10-9 Sandhagen
Round 5
It’s desperation time for Font, as it’s a shutout for Sandhagen to this point. Font pressures again with a frot kick and a left hook. Sandhagen answers with a striaght left and a front kick of his own. Font turns the tables and shoots for a takedown. Sandhagen defends against the fence, and Herzog calls for more action. Sandhagen is able to turn his man around, and he dumps Font on the mat once again. Font gets to a seated position, but Sandhagen powers him down. Now Sandhagen has a brabo choke locked in. Font rolls frantically to escape, but Sandhagen maintains his grip. Font recovers half guard and Sandhagen gives up on the maneuver. He continues to keep top position, and Font’s best efforts to scramble are still to no avail. Font moves his guard up in hopes of an armbar, but Sandhagen is in no real danger. He frees himself and ends the round on top. The crowd is not pleased, but it’s a very one-sided victory for Sandhagen.
Sherdog Scores
Tristen Critchfield scores the round: 10-9 Sandhagen (50-45 Sandhagen)
Brian Knapp scores the round: 10-9 Sandhagen (50-45 Sandhagen)
Tyler Treese scores the round: 10-9 Sandhagen (50-45 Sandhagen)
The Official Result
Cory Sandhagen def. Rob Font via Unanimous Decision (50-45, 50-45, 50-45) R5 5:00
Angelo picks Cory Sandhagen, citing his active striking, fluid combinations, and solid BJJ. He notes that Rob Font is a gritty boxer with a solid chin but lacks power and is on the back nine of his career. Angelo believes Sandhagen will make it a true MMA fight by mixing in wrestling, and that the catchweight benefits Sandhagen as the larger fighter. He also points out that Font is stepping up on short notice and that Sandhagen dominated Chito Vera, who is more dangerous than Font.
Big Brady is very confident in Sandhagen, citing Rob Font's age (36), short notice, and accumulated damage from recent fights like the Marlon Vera beating where Font was dropped multiple times. He believes Sandhagen's diverse striking and submission threat will overwhelm Font, and that Font's durability has declined. He predicts Sandhagen will either dominate to a 50-43 decision or become the first to knock Font out, possibly with a head kick or knee.
Cody picks Sandhagen due to his blend of striking and takedowns, plus a full camp preparing for Umar Nurmagomedov. He notes Font's short notice and history of being dropped (five times in two fights) as vulnerabilities. Cody believes Sandhagen can mix in takedowns and strike effectively, though he acknowledges Font's elite striking and volume. He also mentions betting Sandhagen by knockout at +225.
Daniel Levi is confident in Cory Sandhagen, citing his evolution into a well-rounded fighter with improved wrestling and durability. He notes Sandhagen's killer resume and recent performances against Song Yadong and Chito Vera as evidence of his growth. Levi believes Sandhagen's fight IQ and length will be key, and that he will avoid trading in the pocket with Font's dangerous jab. He sees Sandhagen as a future title contender and expects him to shine in the main event.
James is very confident Sandhagen dominates. He thinks Sandhagen can do whatever he wants—strike, takedown, submit, or knock out Font. He believes Font's chin is done and predicts a knockout in the second or third round. He notes Sandhagen's dynamism and one-shot power.
Sandhagen has an unorthodox style that blends wrestling and striking, and he's made for five rounds. Font has a great comeback win over Yanez, but Sandhagen's style will be too unorthodox for Font to get going. Sandhagen eats damage well and counters effectively. The fight likely goes the distance, so over 4.5 rounds is my favorite prop, but Sandhagen gets his hand raised. The line is too wide to bet heavily, and there is value on Font at these odds.
Paul agrees with Cody, citing Sandhagen's full camp and wrestling advantage. He notes Font's short notice and chin issues, but expects a competitive fight if it goes the distance. Paul leans towards Sandhagen by knockout, though he respects both fighters.
The host picks Cory Sandhagen confidently, calling him a cerebral, diverse striker in his prime. He believes Sandhagen will pick Font apart with superior technique and defense. He notes Font is 36 and while dangerous, Sandhagen is a better mixed martial artist. He predicts a unanimous decision but does not rule out a head kick knockout. He recommends Sandhagen as a parlay piece and expects the line to rise.
Totals
| Fighter | KD | Sig. Str. | Sig. Str. % | Total Str. | TD | TD % | Sub. Att | Rev. | Ctrl |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Cory Sandhagen | 0 | 58 of 158 | 36% | 73 of 177 | 0 of 1 | 0% | 1 | 0 | 0:09 |
| Marlon Vera | 0 | 128 of 280 | 45% | 187 of 378 | 3 of 12 | 25% | 0 | 0 | 7:08 |
Per Round
| Rd | Fighter | KD | Sig. Str. | Sig. Str. % | Total Str. | TD | TD % | Sub. Att | Rev. | Ctrl |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Cory Sandhagen | 0 | 5 of 13 | 38% | 12 of 22 | 0 of 0 | --- | 0 | 0 | 0:00 |
| Marlon Vera | 0 | 32 of 69 | 46% | 47 of 99 | 1 of 2 | 50% | 0 | 0 | 2:30 | |
| 2 | Cory Sandhagen | 0 | 6 of 15 | 40% | 9 of 18 | 0 of 1 | 0% | 1 | 0 | 0:00 |
| Marlon Vera | 0 | 18 of 29 | 62% | 55 of 84 | 1 of 1 | 100% | 0 | 0 | 2:50 | |
| 3 | Cory Sandhagen | 0 | 20 of 56 | 35% | 20 of 56 | 0 of 0 | --- | 0 | 0 | 0:00 |
| Marlon Vera | 0 | 32 of 67 | 47% | 32 of 67 | 0 of 2 | 0% | 0 | 0 | 0:03 | |
| 4 | Cory Sandhagen | 0 | 13 of 38 | 34% | 13 of 38 | 0 of 0 | --- | 0 | 0 | 0:00 |
| Marlon Vera | 0 | 24 of 67 | 35% | 24 of 67 | 0 of 3 | 0% | 0 | 0 | 0:08 | |
| 5 | Cory Sandhagen | 0 | 14 of 36 | 38% | 19 of 43 | 0 of 0 | --- | 0 | 0 | 0:09 |
| Marlon Vera | 0 | 22 of 48 | 45% | 29 of 61 | 1 of 4 | 25% | 0 | 0 | 1:37 |
Significant Strikes
| Fighter | Sig. Str. | Sig. Str. % | Head | Body | Leg | Distance | Clinch | Ground |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Cory Sandhagen | 58 of 158 | 36% | 28 of 105 | 13 of 29 | 17 of 24 | 53 of 152 | 5 of 5 | 0 of 1 |
| Marlon Vera | 128 of 280 | 45% | 84 of 226 | 16 of 23 | 28 of 31 | 107 of 241 | 2 of 3 | 19 of 36 |
Significant Strikes Per Round
| Rd | Fighter | Sig. Str. | Sig. Str. % | Head | Body | Leg | Distance | Clinch | Ground |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Cory Sandhagen | 5 of 13 | 38% | 4 of 11 | 0 of 0 | 1 of 2 | 5 of 13 | 0 of 0 | 0 of 0 |
| Marlon Vera | 32 of 69 | 46% | 20 of 55 | 2 of 3 | 10 of 11 | 18 of 41 | 0 of 0 | 14 of 28 | |
| 2 | Cory Sandhagen | 6 of 15 | 40% | 4 of 10 | 0 of 2 | 2 of 3 | 6 of 15 | 0 of 0 | 0 of 0 |
| Marlon Vera | 18 of 29 | 62% | 14 of 24 | 2 of 3 | 2 of 2 | 13 of 22 | 0 of 0 | 5 of 7 | |
| 3 | Cory Sandhagen | 20 of 56 | 35% | 8 of 37 | 4 of 8 | 8 of 11 | 20 of 56 | 0 of 0 | 0 of 0 |
| Marlon Vera | 32 of 67 | 47% | 17 of 48 | 6 of 9 | 9 of 10 | 32 of 67 | 0 of 0 | 0 of 0 | |
| 4 | Cory Sandhagen | 13 of 38 | 34% | 6 of 25 | 4 of 10 | 3 of 3 | 12 of 37 | 1 of 1 | 0 of 0 |
| Marlon Vera | 24 of 67 | 35% | 19 of 59 | 2 of 4 | 3 of 4 | 23 of 65 | 1 of 2 | 0 of 0 | |
| 5 | Cory Sandhagen | 14 of 36 | 38% | 6 of 22 | 5 of 9 | 3 of 5 | 10 of 31 | 4 of 4 | 0 of 1 |
| Marlon Vera | 22 of 48 | 45% | 14 of 40 | 4 of 4 | 4 of 4 | 21 of 46 | 1 of 1 | 0 of 1 |
Play-by-Play
View on SherdogBETTING PREVIEW | SCOUTING REPORT | ODDS: Sandhagen (-165), Vera (+140)
Round 1
The UFC knew what it was doing when it put this fight together, and made sure fans would appreciate it by moving it from the UFC Apex to an 18,000-seat arena in San Antonio. Bantamweight greatness looms, and Vera (20-7-1, 14-6 UFC) would like nothing more than to put Sandhagen (15-4, 8-3 UFC) away and possibly earn a crack at gold. “The Sandman” is no easy out, having never been stopped with strikes, so a back-and-forth, blood-and-guts battle may loom for the next 25 minutes. Referee Dan Miragliotta is in it for the long haul, and the fighters are ready to handle their business, electing to not bump fists before launching them at one another’s faces. Sandhagen leads off with several range-finding jabs and low kicks, and he punches into Vera’s raised hands. Sandhagen walks “Chito” down and kicks at his lead leg a few times, and Vera absorbs a one-two on the dome while holding off on retaliating. Sandhagen drives Vera back to the wall with a left, and Vera strings two jabs into a chipping kick. Sandhagen works low kicks into jabs, and Vera pushes forth a one-two when “Chito” chants echo throughout the building. Vera hand-fights as Sandhagen walks forward calmly, and he allows Sandhagen to score on him repeatedly. Sandhagen ducks a jab to loose a solid left hook, and Vera takes it on the chin and subsequently absorbs another. Sandhagen bears down on his man with a few punches and a head kick while Vera escapes, and Vera he swats away a few punches that zip at him. Sandhagen leaps at his foe with a jump knee, and Vera parries it and is forced to defend a takedown effort. Sandhagen smoothly trips Vera’s leg out and plants him on his seat, and he postures up and hammers Vera with punches and elbows. Vera closes his guard as he gets shoved to the wall with his neck trapped at the corner of the floor and the fence. Sandhagen pummels “Chito” with elbows, and Vera replies with a few on his back to split open a cut on the top of Sandhagen’s forehead. Sandhagen continues to bombard his downed adversary with elbows as Vera looks to kick him off, but the listless Vera blocks the majority of them and seems content to remain on his back. Sandhagen ends the round with several more pounding elbows.
Sherdog Scores
Jay Pettry scores the round: 10-9 Sandhagen
Edwin Ayala scores the round: 10-9 Sandhagen
Jack Dankoff scores the round: 10-9 Sandhagen
Round 2
The bantamweights meet in the middle, and Sandhagen is the aggressor right out of the gate. They trade front kicks, and Vera is backed up to the wall as Sandhagen opens up with a right hand. Vera aims a punch to the body, and he front kicks and chops at Sandhagen’s lead calf a few times to slow him. Sandhagen blitzes with a few uppercuts, and he secures a single-leg takedown and puts “Chito” on his back. Vera defends with a guillotine choke before he even hits his seat, and he releases it without burning his arms out as Sandhagen steps over to half guard. Sandhagen starts to drop down left hands and elbows as Vera is pinned to the floor, and his top control is smothering and frustrating for the Ecuadorian. Vera turns to his side as he eats elbows, and Sandhagen allows him to do that so that he can posture up and drill him with punches. Vera hooks a foot beneath his elbow to flirt with a heel hook, and Sandhagen lowers himself down and takes side control on the side to continue his attack. Vera turns once more, nearly giving up his back as he attempts to escape, and he leans back down when Sandhagen’s elbows start to have an appreciable effect. Sandhagen looks to isolate Vera’s right arm, but he cannot hold it as Vera slides out and explodes to his feet. Vera gets off a front kick to the chest, and he checks a calf kick. They trade jabs, and Sandhagen follows one with an uppercut that gets Vera’s attention. Sandhagen reaches his man with punches on the outside of the guard, and Vera misses when retaliating. Vera catches a body kick, and he lets it go when Sandhagen posts off his other arm and fights back up. Vera walks forward without throwing much in the way of offense, and Sandhagen dodges the strikes that come at him before the bell rings.
Sherdog Scores
Jay Pettry scores the round: 10-9 Sandhagen
Edwin Ayala scores the round: 10-9 Sandhagen
Jack Dankoff scores the round: 10-9 Sandhagen
Round 3
“Chito” rushes to the center of the cage to start off, having dropped the first two rounds unquestionably. Vera does not throw as Sandhagen is active from a distance, and he finally chambers and fires a head kick that is blocked. Sandhagen replies with a few long jabs, and Vera answers that with a front kick to the sternum. Vera reaches a left hand over the guard, and it is one-and-done while Sandhagen switches stances constantly and prods with punches and kicks. A blocked from kick from Sandhagen causes him to fall over, and when he climbs back up, Vera meets him with a thudding calf kick that stuns Sandhagen momentarily. Vera stomps the front knee and reaches with his left hand, and he kicks the body. Vera stuffs an oncoming takedown and makes his foe pay with a front kick, but Sandhagen strings together a few punches and a body kick to respond. Vera drills his opponent with a one-two, and Sandhagen walks through it and snaps the head back with an uppercut. As Vera loops a left, Sandhagen changes levels but cannot complete the takedown. Vera pushes off and starts to walk Sandhagen down, and they trade right hands. Sandhagen swipes at him with a clean left hook, and Vera tries to give him one back but Sandhagen is faster and beats him to the punch. They both get off front kicks in an exchange, and Vera goes up high with a kick that slams into the shoulder. Vera jabs to the body, and Sandhagen’s looping uppercut finds its home again. Vera swings while Sandhagen fires punches at him, and they miss while Sandhagen’s rangier blows connect. “Chito” jumps forward with a front kick, and he stalks after Sandhagen and has his lead leg kicked for it. At the waning seconds, Vera jumps at his opponent with a knee, but Sandhagen is feet away at the bell.
Sherdog Scores
Jay Pettry scores the round: 10-9 Sandhagen
Edwin Ayala scores the round: 10-9 Sandhagen
Jack Dankoff scores the round: 10-9 Sandhagen
Round 4
The championship rounds have been reached, and Sandhagen strikes first with a front kick, and he turns through with momentum to land a spinning back kick. Sandhagen punches his way forward with an uppercut, and he charges for a double. Vera stands him up and dings him with a knee, but Sandhagen tries again and fail once more. When they separate, Sandhagen gets off a few punches before ducking for a double, and Vera’s sprawl is excellent as he remains on his feet. Sandhagen digs a left to the liver and moves actively and frequently to not stand still in front of his opponent. Vera attempts to cut angles and back Sandhagen off, but “The Sandman” connects with several punches and has a flying knee bounce of Vera’s raised arms. Vera lands one single jab, and Sandhagen strings three punches and a low kick together – but the kick is checked. Sandhagen jabs, staying elusive and switching stances relentlessly. Vera cannot seem to lock him down or find the timing, and he swings with a left hook that Sandhagen dodges. Vera kicks the calf hard, and that kick is checked. Sandhagen swipes with a left hook, and Vera chains a few punches to the body up to a few to the head. Sandhagen jabs, switches stances, and jabs with the other lead hand, flustering “Chito” with his awkward movement and timing. Sandhagen loops a left over the guard, and he sits down on a low kick that Vera cannot defend. The crowd is extremely restless after the relative lack of action compared to its initial promise, as fans start whistling and holding up illuminated cellphones. Vera is similarly irritated, trying and failing to chase down and corner the Colorado native. Vera reaches his man with a front kick and a left hand, but Sandhagen is able to block the subsequent efforts. Vera spins with a kick before the horn, and the audience is not amused.
Sherdog Scores
Jay Pettry scores the round: 10-9 Sandhagen
Edwin Ayala scores the round: 10-9 Sandhagen
Jack Dankoff scores the round: 10-9 Sandhagen
Round 5
The last round of this disappointing – from an action standpoint, not tactically – headliner begins, and Sandhagen is happy to pick up where he left off. Sandhagen pushes the pace a little with a few heavier jabs after Vera lands flush a few times, and he shoots for a takedown. Vera stuffs it and takes a knee square in the midsection. Vera is tripped out and tackled to the mat, and he tries to throw up upkicks and may have landed an illegal blow to a grounded Sandhagen in the process. Sandhagen fights off a high guard and submission setup, and he allows Vera to roll laterally so that he can lower himself into the guard. Sandhagen is comfortable taking top position, and Vera kicks him in the chest and gets away with another slapping foot to the downed Sandhagen’s face. Vera explodes to his feet at the midpoint of the final frame, and Sandhagen lines up several punches to back Vera off. “Chito” tosses out a half-hearted leg kick, and he turns to fire one to the body. Vera knocks Sandhagen back with two punches, but “The Sandman” is not concerned as he gets right back to pressuring the pressure fighter. Sandhagen keeps changing stances and jabbing and poking at Vera with feet and fists, and he dodges and parries the lumbering but looping punches that come at him. Vera jumps forward with a left hook, and Sandhagen replies in kind. Vera reaches at the end of a jabbing punch, only to be met with Sandhagen’s short combination. Sandhagen kicks high off the guard, and Vera spins with a kick to the ribs. Vera pressures, and he staves off a rushing double. Vera catches a kick and slams his foot into the body from an odd angle, and he takes Sandhagen from behind and pushes him to the wall. Vera connects with a solid elbow, and he pours it on with high kicks from both legs, swinging punches and kicks, and anything else he can muster. Instead of throwing this all during the first 24-plus minutes of the match, Vera saved it for one final, desperate effort, and Sandhagen blocks or dodges the worst of it. As Vera charges like a bull, Sandhagen points at him, and the last horn blows to put an end to the less-than-thrilling main attraction. In his post-fight interview, Sandhagen states that he would “feel slimy” if he asked for a title shot over Merab Dvalishvili, so he prepares a line and challenges the Georgian to a fight. If that comes together, we will be here for it. Next week, there is a break from the UFC – but there will be Fight Circus, so stay tuned for coverage on that – and we return on April 8 with UFC 287. We will also be for here for that, and we hope you are too.
Sherdog Scores
Jay Pettry scores the round: 10-9 Sandhagen (50-45 Sandhagen)
Edwin Ayala scores the round: 10-9 Sandhagen (50-45 Sandhagen)
Jack Dankoff scores the round: 10-9 Sandhagen (50-45 Sandhagen)
The Official Result
Cory Sandhagen def. Marlon Vera via Split Decision (47-48, 50-45, 49-46)
Angelo picks Sandhagen because he is younger, durable, and has a versatile striking style with sneaky power. He notes that Vera's recent wins came against older, declining fighters like Rob Font, Dominic Cruz, and Frankie Edgar, and that Sandhagen is a different challenge. He believes Sandhagen's weird movements and toughness will neutralize Vera's power, and that Vera's habit of losing early before finding a finish won't work against Sandhagen. He admits he has never correctly picked a Vera fight but thinks this is where Vera's luck runs out.
Big Brady picks Marlon Vera as a dog, arguing that while Sandhagen is the better overall fighter with more volume and movement, Vera is a 'moment winner' who can land big shots and sway judges. He notes Vera's ability to get outstruck but still win rounds by landing damaging blows, as seen in the Rob Font fight. Brady believes Vera has 25 minutes to find Sandhagen's chin and predicts a fourth-round knockout, though he acknowledges a close decision is possible.
Cody picks Sandhagen based on pure volume and fast starting ability. He notes Sandhagen lands a high number of significant strikes (169 vs Yanez, 128 vs Dillashaw) and that Vera is a slow starter who often drops the first round. He believes Sandhagen will bank the early rounds and win a decision, though he acknowledges Vera's durability and late-round finishing ability. He suggests betting Sandhagen by decision to improve the line.
Connor sees Sandhagen as a heavily upgraded version of the opponents Vera has been beating (Rob Font, Dominick Cruz). He believes Sandhagen's durability, conditioning, adaptability, and elusive defense will be too much for Vera's 'anti-process' style. He compares it to Yoel Romero vs Robert Whittaker, suggesting Sandhagen is Vera's Whittaker.
Jacob picks Vera, noting that he was a former hater but converted after Vera beat Rob Font. He argues that Vera is excellent at making reads over time and capitalizing, and that Sandhagen is hittable because he stands in front of opponents and doesn't move his head. He thinks Sandhagen's toughness means he gets hit, and Vera's power at bantamweight is a serious threat. He predicts Vera will find a shot and finish Sandhagen, possibly by submission in the third round.
The host believes Sandhagen is the best puzzle for Vera since his winning streak, citing Sandhagen's ability to keep up with Vera's cardio and put together a full MMA game. He notes Sandhagen is defensively responsible enough to avoid big strikes and can tie Vera up in the clinch if needed. He expects Sandhagen to get off his own game from distance and allow the judges to see it in his favor, predicting Sandhagen wins by decision despite possibly dropping a round or two.
The Guru picks Sandhagen over Vera, arguing that Sandhagen is much better than Vera's recent opponents like Cruz and Font. He highlights Sandhagen's diverse attack (leg kicks, body shots, takedowns) and toughness, believing he can avoid Vera's power and win a decision. He notes Vera's ability to find finishes but thinks Sandhagen's movement and durability will carry him.
Zane picks Sandhagen because Vera is scary but has recent losses to Jose Aldo and Song Yadong. He notes Sandhagen is harder to track and predict than Font or Cruz, and Vera's clinch wrestling is less of a threat than Dillashaw's. He expects Sandhagen to be elusive enough to win, though Vera could steal rounds with damage.
Totals
| Fighter | KD | Sig. Str. | Sig. Str. % | Total Str. | TD | TD % | Sub. Att | Rev. | Ctrl |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Cory Sandhagen | 0 | 94 of 222 | 42% | 130 of 259 | 1 of 14 | 7% | 0 | 0 | 3:47 |
| Song Yadong | 0 | 54 of 145 | 37% | 130 of 224 | 2 of 2 | 100% | 0 | 0 | 1:39 |
Per Round
| Rd | Fighter | KD | Sig. Str. | Sig. Str. % | Total Str. | TD | TD % | Sub. Att | Rev. | Ctrl |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Cory Sandhagen | 0 | 19 of 52 | 36% | 30 of 63 | 0 of 3 | 0% | 0 | 0 | 0:46 |
| Song Yadong | 0 | 14 of 28 | 50% | 23 of 37 | 1 of 1 | 100% | 0 | 0 | 0:55 | |
| 2 | Cory Sandhagen | 0 | 21 of 52 | 40% | 24 of 55 | 0 of 4 | 0% | 0 | 0 | 0:48 |
| Song Yadong | 0 | 15 of 44 | 34% | 36 of 65 | 0 of 0 | --- | 0 | 0 | 0:00 | |
| 3 | Cory Sandhagen | 0 | 29 of 63 | 46% | 30 of 64 | 0 of 5 | 0% | 0 | 0 | 0:32 |
| Song Yadong | 0 | 13 of 48 | 27% | 26 of 61 | 0 of 0 | --- | 0 | 0 | 0:00 | |
| 4 | Cory Sandhagen | 0 | 25 of 55 | 45% | 46 of 77 | 1 of 2 | 50% | 0 | 0 | 1:41 |
| Song Yadong | 0 | 12 of 25 | 48% | 45 of 61 | 1 of 1 | 100% | 0 | 0 | 0:44 |
Significant Strikes
| Fighter | Sig. Str. | Sig. Str. % | Head | Body | Leg | Distance | Clinch | Ground |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Cory Sandhagen | 94 of 222 | 42% | 62 of 186 | 17 of 21 | 15 of 15 | 86 of 213 | 5 of 6 | 3 of 3 |
| Song Yadong | 54 of 145 | 37% | 36 of 125 | 13 of 15 | 5 of 5 | 44 of 132 | 10 of 13 | 0 of 0 |
Significant Strikes Per Round
| Rd | Fighter | Sig. Str. | Sig. Str. % | Head | Body | Leg | Distance | Clinch | Ground |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Cory Sandhagen | 19 of 52 | 36% | 10 of 43 | 7 of 7 | 2 of 2 | 18 of 50 | 1 of 2 | 0 of 0 |
| Song Yadong | 14 of 28 | 50% | 9 of 23 | 3 of 3 | 2 of 2 | 11 of 24 | 3 of 4 | 0 of 0 | |
| 2 | Cory Sandhagen | 21 of 52 | 40% | 14 of 43 | 2 of 4 | 5 of 5 | 19 of 50 | 2 of 2 | 0 of 0 |
| Song Yadong | 15 of 44 | 34% | 11 of 39 | 4 of 5 | 0 of 0 | 11 of 40 | 4 of 4 | 0 of 0 | |
| 3 | Cory Sandhagen | 29 of 63 | 46% | 21 of 54 | 3 of 4 | 5 of 5 | 27 of 61 | 2 of 2 | 0 of 0 |
| Song Yadong | 13 of 48 | 27% | 8 of 42 | 3 of 4 | 2 of 2 | 13 of 48 | 0 of 0 | 0 of 0 | |
| 4 | Cory Sandhagen | 25 of 55 | 45% | 17 of 46 | 5 of 6 | 3 of 3 | 22 of 52 | 0 of 0 | 3 of 3 |
| Song Yadong | 12 of 25 | 48% | 8 of 21 | 3 of 3 | 1 of 1 | 9 of 20 | 3 of 5 | 0 of 0 |
Play-by-Play
View on SherdogBETTING PREVIEW | SCOUTING REPORT | ODDS: Sandhagen (-195), Song (+165)
Round 1
with top-five ramifications, serves as the only match between ranked competitors on this 13-fight billing. Sandhagen (14-4, 7-3 UFC) took nearly a year off after his failed bid for the interim 135-pound strap, while Song (19-6-1, 1 NC; 8-1-1 UFC) is a younger man on the rise at 24 years of age. Receiving the honor of reffing the final fracas of the night is Herb Dean, who laces up his running shoes to keep up with these two fist-first fighters. Before throwing down, the two slap hands and bump fists with the intention of keeping things on the up-and-up. Sandhagen starts out switching stances multiple times in the opening seconds, and he punches his way into a takedown attempt. He bowls Song into the wall, but there is no takedown to come from it. Song defends with a few knees up the middle, and one bumps into the cup. Sandhagen tells Dean he is good to go and does not want to lose position, and they do not break. Song pushes off with a pair of hooks, and gets backed with a jab to the body. Sandhagen spins with a wheel kick that bounces off the guard, and he falls to the mat. Song does not follow him, and he lets Sandhagen stand up so that he can drill him with a left hand. They clinch up, and Song elbows once to force a separation. Sandhagen bullies his way into a takedown effort, and Song bowls him over and puts Sandhagen on his back. Sandhagen plays guard off his back, setting up a possible submission, and then bailing on it all to stand up. “Kung Fu Kid” remains on his back, and he grabs hold of a rear-naked choke to force Sandhagen to lower himself to the ground. Sandhagen gets out of the sticky situation by wriggling out, and they tie up against the wire. Sandhagen elbows hard, and he ducks back right before two big punches reach him. Sandhagen winds up with a loud liver kick, and Song takes it flush without batting an eye. They trade jabs, and a fake takedown try forces a sprawl that makes Song fall to his knees. Sandhagen lets him up and starts piercing the guard with jabs, and he blocks the follow-up counters that fly his way. Another fake takedown draws an exaggerated defensive reaction from his opponent, and Sandhagen lets him up to jab his way to the end of the round.
Sherdog Scores
Jay Pettry scores the round: 10-9 Song
Brian Knapp scores the round: 10-9 Song
Tristen Critchfield scores the round: 10-9 Song
Round 2
The fighters are amped up to get back to it, and Dean clocks them in and has to step back fast. Song advances straight ahead, and Sandhagen is moving side to side while jabbing. Sandhagen leaps in the air with a knee that misses, and he gets struck with a straight right hand down the pipe. Sandhagen scores a low kick and keeps his jab in Song’s face, and Song jumps through it with a power left hand. Sandhagen snaps the head back with a jab, and Song sits down on a left hand that makes Sandhagen stagger back to the wall. Sandhagen gathers his thoughts and goes after another flying knee, but it is not there for him. He does throw to the head and body to mix things up as he gets his wits about him, and he changes levels to take Song down. Song scrambles ahis way upright again and makes his man pay with a short right hand, and they clank heads when coming together. Song grins with delight as an elbow from Sandhagen tears open a cut on the corner of his eye, and blood leaks down a little but does not seem to bother him. Sandhagen pushes in for a takedown, and crimson liquid starts flowing into the eye. Sandhagen rails his man with an elbow before breaking from the clinch, and Song’s eye is a busted mess. Sandhagen backs away and unloads with a liver kick, and he keeps jabbing until Song plods forward with a three-punch salvo. Song throws with fire, and Sandhagen just barely rolls through it and lands a pair of low kicks. “Sandman” dips and ducks the power punches that come at him, and he even lets a flying knee soar past him. Sandhagen plants a front kick on the chin and chains a leg kick into it, and Song smiles but does not connect with anything in response. Three punches from Song come up short, with his depth perception possibly struggling due to the plasma coating his eye. A clinch leads to an explosion from Song, who loads up on several big punches one after the other. Sandhagen responds with his own combination, and the knee pops Song in the chops right before the horn blares. The cut on Song’s eye could be a fight-ender, so it remains to be seen how the doctor evaluates it.
Sherdog Scores
Jay Pettry scores the round: 10-9 Sandhagen
Brian Knapp scores the round: 10-9 Sandhagen
Tristen Critchfield scores the round: 10-9 Sandhagen
Round 3
The doctor tells Dean to keep an eye on the cut, but he is letting the fight continue into the third round. Song walks right into a body kick, and he replies in kind but it has less impact. Sandhagen kicks the lead leg and escapes out the side when Song sits down on a counter, and both men block high kicks. Sandhagen remains active with low kicks, and he ducks a massive haymaker of a right hand and shoots in on a takedown. Song stuffs it and clubs him with a left hand, and Sandhagen grits his teeth and retreats. Their heads clash together as Sandhagen attempts another takedown, and Song stops it in its tracks and makes Sandhagen pay with a trio of powerful punches. Sandhagen answers him with a step-in knee, and Song eats it like Szechuan beef and keeps on forging ahead. Song swings and misses with a salvo, and Sandhagen slides back and jabs a few times to cause the cut to start bleeding again. Song punches his way forward, but Sandhagen is the one who tags him with a few jabs. Sandhagen takes for a takedown to get a reaction, and then actually attempts one. Song gets shoved back to the wall, and scarlet fluid covers his face and turns it a brilliant shade. Song stings Sandhagen with a left hand, only for Sandhagen to nail him with an elbow. A takedown try from “Sandman” is staved off, and he brushes off a striking array that zooms at him. Sandhagen has a kick pound into the guard, and he snaps out a jab that causes Song to spit blood out. Sandhagen skirts on the outer edge of the cage as Song tries to cut him off, and it allows him to stay at his preferred range. Song bowls forward throwing hammers, and Sandhagen slips them and pokes him back with a few jabs. Song is prepared for a takedown entry from his opponent, but he absorbs a few jabs that chain into a left to the body. Sandhagen gets a flying knee through the guard, and blood is positively streaming down Song’s face. Once again, the doctor will have to make a tough call.
Sherdog Scores
Jay Pettry scores the round: 10-9 Sandhagen
Brian Knapp scores the round: 10-9 Sandhagen
Tristen Critchfield scores the round: 10-9 Sandhagen
Round 4
Dean is informed by the doctor that should any more damage come around the eye, he needs to call the fight to protect Song from permanent damage. Song is thankful to keep going, and he loads up on several power strikes including a body kick and several strikes to the body. A response of a body kick from Sandhagen and two punches open it again, and Dean is watching it very closely. Sandhagen goes up high with a kick, and Song blocks and counters. Sandhagen marches forward with jabs from both arms as he switches stances, and he kicks the body. Song catches it and powers through it to trip “Sandman” up and take him to the mat. Plasma flows freely on Sandhagen’s face and into his mouth, and he explodes back to his feet and gets pushed back to the wire. Sandhagen spins him around and trips Song out. Song climbs back up, but he takes a head kick when he does. Song wings haymakers and catches Sandhagen, but Sandhagen is quick and accurate with jabs and straight punches. Sandhagen targets the wrecked eye with impunity, and Song gives chase and barely registers that his eyebrow is nearly hanging off his head. Sandhagen mixes up jabs and kicks, and Song’s power punches are telegraphed and largely hitting air. Song smiles when he takes punishment, and even though he dodges a few punches, Sandhagen goes the body and head. A single from Sandhagen succeeds in getting Song down to his seat, and he grinds his elbow on the cut. Blood streams from Song’s face, covering the mat with a dark red pool beneath his head. Sandhagen postures up with a few elbows, and Song practically laughs at him, giving his best “you don’t know where I’ve been, Lou” impression while on his back, drenched in hemoglobin. The horn sounds, and he cannot see out of his eye when he stands up.
The cutman tries to tend to the gash, but it is beginning to swell and it appears to be the type that even the most “just bleed” physician could not allow to continue. The doctor, who cleared Song to fight in Rounds 3 and 4, informs Dean that he does not like what he is seeing from the massacred eye of the 24-year-old. Dean does not hesitate, and he waves the fight off after hearing this, to save the youngster from long-lasting harm that could develop further with five more minutes of brutality.
This is a gruesome but fitting end to a violent and sanguine evening, one that comes with a week off to process all that transpired over the last few weeks. The UFC will return in October, and when it does, we will be here for it. We hope you are too.
Sherdog Scores
Jay Pettry scores the round: 10-9 Sandhagen
Brian Knapp scores the round: 10-9 Sandhagen
Tristen Critchfield scores the round: 10-9 Sandhagen
The Official Result
Cory Sandhagen def. Yadong Song R4 5:00 via TKO (Doctor Stoppage)
Angelo leans Sandhagen primarily because of his five-round experience and ability to recover from bad rounds. He notes that Sandhagen is a fluid striker with good combinations and BJJ, but he lacks takedown volume. Angelo is not confident and thinks the odds are wide. He considers a plus points bet on Yadong.
Big Brady picks Cory Sandhagen to win by decision. He argues that Sandhagen is the better striker overall with higher volume (6.42 significant strikes per minute) and has fought much tougher competition (Yan, Dillashaw, Sterling). Brady notes that Sandhagen has never been knocked out and has excellent striking defense. He believes Song Yadong's power is a threat, but Sandhagen's durability and output should carry him to a decision win. Brady also mentions that this is Song's first five-round fight, which could be a factor. He is surprised by the public support for Song as a dog.
Cody agrees Sandhagen is the more refined fighter with better cardio and versatility. He highlights Sandhagen's wrestling improvements since the Sterling loss and his ability to maintain high output. Cody thinks Song's lack of five-round experience and tendency to slow down will be exploited. He calls Sandhagen a good top ticket play but not the most confident pick on the card.
Daniel Levi picks Song Yadong at plus 175 odds, placing one unit on him. He believes Song has enough output to make his harder shots count against Sandhagen's volume, and that the fight could be close enough for Song's power strikes to sway judges. He notes Sandhagen's year off and potential ring rust, and thinks the odds should be closer. He respects Sandhagen but sees value in the underdog.
Jacob picks Yadong, comparing his style to Petr Yan's and noting that Yadong is faster and more powerful now at 24. He believes Yadong's speed and power will close the distance and land big shots, potentially knocking down Sandhagen. Jacob thinks Yadong is peaking at the right time and can win by decision or finish.
Sandhagen is the master of distance and will make Song whiff, tiring him out. Sandhagen's footwork and in-and-out movement will keep him out of the pocket where Song's power is most dangerous. Sandhagen's cardio is superior for five rounds, and he has been training BJJ with Ryan Hall to add submission threats. Song's best path is leg kicks or an early knockout, but Sandhagen's style is a tough puzzle for Song at this stage. I expect Sandhagen to take over as the fight goes on and win a decision.
Paul thinks Sandhagen's five-round experience against TJ Dillashaw and Petr Yan is a huge advantage. He notes Sandhagen's durability and high output will be key, as Song Yadong is a counter puncher who will struggle with Sandhagen's volume. Paul believes Sandhagen will outwork Song over five rounds, though he acknowledges Song's power and youth make it not a lock. He also likes the under 4.5 rounds at plus money.
The MMA Guru picks Cory Sandhagen by decision. He acknowledges Song Yadong is an underrated prospect but notes Yadong has struggled against rangy, mobile strikers who switch stances, like Kyler Phillips and Casey Kenny. He believes Sandhagen is too good, too rangy, and too smart, and will take over as the fight goes on. He expects Sandhagen to lose the first round but win the last three or four rounds, with scorecards like 48-47 or 49-46.
Totals
| Fighter | KD | Sig. Str. | Sig. Str. % | Total Str. | TD | TD % | Sub. Att | Rev. | Ctrl |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Petr Yan | 1 | 149 of 270 | 55% | 158 of 280 | 0 of 2 | 0% | 1 | 1 | 1:09 |
| Cory Sandhagen | 0 | 169 of 445 | 37% | 172 of 449 | 1 of 6 | 16% | 0 | 1 | 0:20 |
Per Round
| Rd | Fighter | KD | Sig. Str. | Sig. Str. % | Total Str. | TD | TD % | Sub. Att | Rev. | Ctrl |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Petr Yan | 0 | 19 of 37 | 51% | 19 of 37 | 0 of 0 | --- | 0 | 0 | 0:00 |
| Cory Sandhagen | 0 | 37 of 85 | 43% | 39 of 87 | 0 of 2 | 0% | 0 | 0 | 0:10 | |
| 2 | Petr Yan | 0 | 38 of 65 | 58% | 40 of 67 | 0 of 0 | --- | 0 | 0 | 0:05 |
| Cory Sandhagen | 0 | 45 of 113 | 39% | 45 of 113 | 0 of 1 | 0% | 0 | 0 | 0:00 | |
| 3 | Petr Yan | 1 | 36 of 57 | 63% | 41 of 63 | 0 of 0 | --- | 0 | 1 | 0:40 |
| Cory Sandhagen | 0 | 37 of 86 | 43% | 37 of 87 | 0 of 0 | --- | 0 | 1 | 0:07 | |
| 4 | Petr Yan | 0 | 36 of 67 | 53% | 38 of 69 | 0 of 1 | 0% | 1 | 0 | 0:24 |
| Cory Sandhagen | 0 | 25 of 83 | 30% | 26 of 84 | 1 of 3 | 33% | 0 | 0 | 0:03 | |
| 5 | Petr Yan | 0 | 20 of 44 | 45% | 20 of 44 | 0 of 1 | 0% | 0 | 0 | 0:00 |
| Cory Sandhagen | 0 | 25 of 78 | 32% | 25 of 78 | 0 of 0 | --- | 0 | 0 | 0:00 |
Significant Strikes
| Fighter | Sig. Str. | Sig. Str. % | Head | Body | Leg | Distance | Clinch | Ground |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Petr Yan | 149 of 270 | 55% | 100 of 217 | 27 of 29 | 22 of 24 | 135 of 252 | 7 of 9 | 7 of 9 |
| Cory Sandhagen | 169 of 445 | 37% | 118 of 389 | 28 of 32 | 23 of 24 | 168 of 443 | 1 of 2 | 0 of 0 |
Significant Strikes Per Round
| Rd | Fighter | Sig. Str. | Sig. Str. % | Head | Body | Leg | Distance | Clinch | Ground |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Petr Yan | 19 of 37 | 51% | 4 of 21 | 4 of 4 | 11 of 12 | 17 of 35 | 2 of 2 | 0 of 0 |
| Cory Sandhagen | 37 of 85 | 43% | 21 of 68 | 6 of 6 | 10 of 11 | 36 of 83 | 1 of 2 | 0 of 0 | |
| 2 | Petr Yan | 38 of 65 | 58% | 23 of 50 | 8 of 8 | 7 of 7 | 36 of 63 | 2 of 2 | 0 of 0 |
| Cory Sandhagen | 45 of 113 | 39% | 30 of 95 | 9 of 12 | 6 of 6 | 45 of 113 | 0 of 0 | 0 of 0 | |
| 3 | Petr Yan | 36 of 57 | 63% | 29 of 49 | 5 of 6 | 2 of 2 | 28 of 46 | 1 of 2 | 7 of 9 |
| Cory Sandhagen | 37 of 86 | 43% | 29 of 78 | 4 of 4 | 4 of 4 | 37 of 86 | 0 of 0 | 0 of 0 | |
| 4 | Petr Yan | 36 of 67 | 53% | 28 of 59 | 8 of 8 | 0 of 0 | 34 of 64 | 2 of 3 | 0 of 0 |
| Cory Sandhagen | 25 of 83 | 30% | 20 of 77 | 4 of 5 | 1 of 1 | 25 of 83 | 0 of 0 | 0 of 0 | |
| 5 | Petr Yan | 20 of 44 | 45% | 16 of 38 | 2 of 3 | 2 of 3 | 20 of 44 | 0 of 0 | 0 of 0 |
| Cory Sandhagen | 25 of 78 | 32% | 18 of 71 | 5 of 5 | 2 of 2 | 25 of 78 | 0 of 0 | 0 of 0 |
Play-by-Play
View on SherdogRound 1
Even though the UFC bantamweight belt traded hands less than eight months ago, the interim strap is now up for grabs when ex-champ Yan (15-2, 7-1 UFC) gets another crack at gold against fellow recently defeated Sandhagen (14-3, 7-2 UFC). This will be the first title fight in UFC history where both challengers are coming off a loss, but the excitement is still palpable. Even referee Jason Herzog is pumped up about this potential 135-pound thriller, and the fighters do not want to touch gloves as they would rather use their fists to slug the other in the face. Yan takes the center of the cage, eager to come out firing, but he stops short of throwing anything when Sandhagen sticks a jab in his face. Sandhagen scores a leg kick, and chants in support of Yan rain down through the arena. Sandhagen continues to work the lead leg with accurate strikes, and he pegs the ball of his foot to the sternum to surprise Yan. Yan walks him down but is getting kept at bay with effective kicks. One such kick makes Yan do a slight turn, and Yan’s left hand is cocked back with nowhere to go. The strikes from Sandhagen are effective enough to thwart much of the offense of his opponent, but a left hook from Yan partially gest through. Sandhagen works the body, and he gets poked in the eye and rubs it out as Yan offers a glove touch apology. Yan lands a kick to the body, and Sandhagen returns with a left to the liver. Yan succeeds with a leg kick, and Sandhagen swarms him with a salvo of punches. The American catches his foe off-guard by changing levels and threatening with a sudden takedown. Although he does not get Yan down, he makes Yan think about one more element. They both land to the body when they get free, and Yan scores a left hand counter as Sandhagen lands from afar. Sandhagen punctuates combinations with leg kicks, with his volume being the difference maker so far in the opening frame. Yan keeps his fingers outstretched and nearly pokes Sandhagen in the eye again, but Sandhagen fights through it. Sandhagen pressures his foe with a long string of punches, landing without putting everything behind every blow. When Yan guards high, Sandhagen goes low. Yan walks Sandhagen down but gets tagged in response, and the ex-champ scores a solid pair of leg kicks. Sandhagen ducks down for a single, and Yan nails him with an elbow over the top to force them to separate. Sandhagen eats a leg kick and jumps in the air with a knee, and this fast-paced round ends as Herzog warns Yan for his fingers pointed straight out.
Sherdog Scores
Jay Pettry scores the round: 10-9 Sandhagen
Brian Knapp scores the round: 10-9 Sandhagen
Tyler Treese scores the round: 10-9 Sandhagen
Round 2
The second round begins as Yan loads up on power strikes, with a few leg kicks to start on the calf. Yan backs off and stomps down with a kick, and Sandhagen punches his way in to a combination. Sandhagen delivers some damage to the body, but Yan is right there to do the same with his own salvo of strikes. Sandhagen counters several Yan strikes so that he can slap him in the face with a kick. Yan gets stung with a strike from his opponent, and he loads up with a right hand that rocks Sandhagen for a moment. “Sandman” appears no worse for wear, although his body is getting marked up as he is getting red all over – this may be simply from the lightness of his complexion, and not that he is absorbing an unusual amount of punishment. Sandhagen slides out of the way from looping punches from the former champ, and he gets off several punches to back him off. Sandhagen stands in front of his opponent and decks him with a few punches. Yan spins after absorbing a blow to spin with a back fist, and the blocked impact is still substantial. Both men land with fast punches, and Yan goes to the body with kicks while Sandhagen attacks the lead leg. A low single from Sandhagen gets stuffed, and Yan defends with a guillotine choke setup before elbowing Sandhagen to make him step off. Sandhagen leaps in the air with a knee that clatters off Yan’s guard, and he sticks Yan and moves with several jabs. Sandhagen stays on his bike as Yan is looking for a home run right hand, although the American does absorb a crisp left hand. The round is quite close, and it ends as they stare the other down.
Sherdog Scores
Jay Pettry scores the round: 10-9 Yan
Brian Knapp scores the round: 10-9 Yan
Tyler Treese scores the round: 10-9 Yan
Round 3
The third frame commences as Sandhagen lands on the outside with kicks. When he lands one, Yan tries to pay him back, and Sandhagen checks it hard to make Yan wobble back as it seemed to hurt badly. Yan recovers well enough to spin with a back kick to the body, and Sandhagen pays it no mind as he lances through Yan’s guard with straight right hands. Sandhagen has a few more punches penetrate Yan’s shell of a high guard, before going low with kicks. Yan keeps his fingers pointed towards his opponent despite the warnings of Herzog. Yan swings for the fences, only for Sandhagen to duck and tag him with a counter left hook. “Sandman” resets and puts two punches together into a leg kick, and Yan checks this one. Yan appears to slap Sandhagen in the side of his head with an open palm, and Sandhagen is fired up from this as he pressures Yan and lands several blows. Yan manages to snap Sandhagen’s head back, but the American dodges most of the remainder of the barrage. Sandhagen’s head movement keeps him safe from harm, and Sandhagen keeps a safe range and consistently lands on his opponent from afar. Whether jabs or low kicks, Sandhagen continues to keep Yan from unloading his most dangerous combinations. A pair of power punches from Yan gets Sandhagen’s attention, and he nails Sandhagen with a few more punches. Suddenly, Yan follows a punch with a spinning back fist and a left hook that knocks Sandhagen off his feet, and Yan chases him down to the ground to try to pound him out. The scrambles for Sandhagen allow him to not take much damage or fall into submission danger, but Yan is constantly fishing for something or trying to get strikes off. When they finally get back up, Yan lands with a big left hand and Sandhagen back off but takes a knee to the body to end the round.
Sherdog Scores
Jay Pettry scores the round: 10-9 Yan
Brian Knapp scores the round: 10-9 Yan
Tyler Treese scores the round: 10-9 Yan
Round 4
The first championship round begins as Sandhagen appears to have gotten his bearings about him. Yan is the aggressor, throwing big strikes at his opponent in hopes of dropping him again. Sandhagen has a flying knee blocked, and he goes back to his successful strategy of making Yan miss as he tags him from out far. Sandhagen appears to get clipped with a left hand, but he shakes it off and just dodges two windmilling punches that whiz by him. Two punches from Sandhagen get countered with much heavier blows from the former champ, and he puts a front kick to the body to get Yan to back off for a moment. Yan is staying in Sandhagen’s face, kicking him to the body and going up top with power punches that knock Sandhagen’s head back. The power advantage remains firmly on the side of the Russian, and Sandhagen recognizes this and shoots in for a takedown. This time, Sandhagen hits it, and Yan is aware and threatens with a leg lock from his back. The submission forces Sandhagen to scramble, and they both stand up. Sandhagen again shoots for a low single, but this time he decides to get off some standing elbows. A spinning back fist from Sandhagen makes Yan laugh, and the Russian Terminator that is Yan stalks Sandhagen down and works him to the body. The punches make Sandhagen bounce off the cage, as he has timed Sandhagen’s movement and counter effectively. Sandhagen counters a spinning back fist with short elbows, but Yan blasts him in the face with a few punches that force Sandhagen to attack a takedown. When Yan stuffs him, Sandhagen does not instantly get back up, instead holding on to Yan’s leg perhaps in an effort to take a breath. Sandhagen has a punch transition into an elbow, and a knee he throws is not fast enough to get through the guard. Yan gives chase as Sandhagen’s hands are down by his side, and the boxing range is where the round concludes.
Sherdog Scores
Jay Pettry scores the round: 10-9 Yan
Brian Knapp scores the round: 10-9 Yan
Tyler Treese scores the round: 10-9 Yan
Round 5
Sandhagen talks to his foe between rounds, and he keeps this intensity going when the round begins by sticking his hand in Yan’s face repeatedly. None of the punches have much behind them, as Sandhagen is careful to not stay anywhere for long so that he does not eat a big power punch. When he stays in one place, Yan lands a left hand and a leg kick that spins him around. When Sandhagen comes back around, he lands an inside leg kick that makes a thud sound. Yan winds up with a left hand that scores right on the nose, and he fakes with a left hand so that he can get off a body kick. Yan ignores a leg kick so that he can close in and get off a big left hand, and Sandhagen reacts and escapes. The offense largely falls off a cliff as Sandhagen stays on his bike, while Yan swings for the air. Sandhagen pushes in for a takedown after a body kick, and he lands a few jabs on the way out. Yan slings a head kick that appears to blast Sandhagen in the face as clean as can be, and Sandhagen just looks at him and raises his arms in the air like a Diaz brother. Sandhagen sticks out a few jabs and stays far enough away from the big shots of his opponent, and Yan is consistently giving chase but not able to connect with much of note. Yan does land one to take three, and he connects at the end of a right when Sandhagen escapes. The American dodges a spinning back fist this time, and he keeps moving and gets a jump knee through. Two punches and a spinning wheel kick from Sandhagen bounce off his shoulder, and he again throws his hands up and runs at Yan to tag him with another flying knee. The two bantamweights swing it out to the bell, and when it sounds, the crowd is so excited by the final exchange, they cannot hear it. Instead, they keep on throwing everything they have until Herzog leaps in and just misses absorbing a significant strike or two. They shake hands after 25 minutes of action, and Yan has likely won the de facto number one contender belt -- the interim title, as it were -- and a rematch with Aljamain Sterling.
Sherdog Scores
Jay Pettry scores the round: 10-9 Sandhagen (48-47 Yan)
Brian Knapp scores the round: 10-9 Sandhagen (48-47 Yan)
Tyler Treese scores the round: 10-9 Sandhagen (48-47 Yan)
The Official Result
Petr Yan def. Cory Sandhagen Via Unanimous Decision (49-46, 49-46, 49-46)
Big Brady picks Petr Yan to win a competitive decision. He notes both are great strikers, but Yan has the edge in boxing and can mix in takedowns. Sandhagen's takedown defense is a weakness (65% on paper, but was lower before the Dillashaw fight). Yan's wrestling and control time should be the difference. He expects a close fight but Yan edges it out.
Cody is high on Petr Yan, calling him a 'terminator' with cardio, striking, and underrated wrestling. He notes Yan has scored takedowns in his last six fights, including against Aljamain Sterling and Jose Aldo. He thinks Yan's wrestling will be the difference against Sandhagen, who can be taken down. He suggests betting Yan live for a better price but is confident Yan wins.
Daniel picks Petr Yan to defend his title, calling him a top-five pound-for-pound fighter. He highlights Yan's well-roundedness, cardio, and ability to lull opponents into a false sense of security before dropping them. Daniel notes Yan's takedown success against Jose Aldo and Aljamain Sterling, and believes Sandhagen's clinch issues and tendency to give up his back will be exploited. He predicts a fourth-round TKO.
Sandhagen's volume and output from distance will be Yan's kryptonite. Yan prefers to strike but Sandhagen throws 16.5 strikes per minute from outside and has the cardio to maintain it. Yan's takedowns are a threat, but he doesn't usually grapple heavily. Sandhagen wins a volume-based decision.
Paul agrees with Cody, adding that playing Yan live is risky because Yan might get an early takedown and the line will move to -400. He thinks Sandhagen's only chance is if it's a pure striking match, but Yan's wrestling will be the difference. He sees Yan as the clear side.
The MMA Guru picks Petr Yan to win by TKO in the later rounds. He highlights Yan's grappling, especially when taking the back, and notes that Sandhagen gives up his back frequently. He thinks Yan will catch kicks, sweep, and take Sandhagen down. He questions Sandhagen's KO power, noting his recent finishes were against chinny opponents. He predicts Yan will be patient, chop at the legs, and eventually finish Sandhagen in the fourth or fifth round.
Deiveson Figueiredo - Fight History
Play-by-Play
View on SherdogBETTING PREVIEW | SCOUTING REPORT | ODDS: Song (-550); Figueiredo (+425)
Round 1
Help us, Song Yadong, you’re China’s only hope for a win on home soil. The main event sees “The Kung Fu Kid” (22-9-1, 1 NC; 11-4-1 UFC) trying to make the elusive step up to true title contention against former flyweight great Figueiredo (25-6-1; 14-6-1 UFC). For those keeping track at home, we’re also sitting at a blistering seven first-round finishes in 12 fights. The final referee assignment of the evening falls to Jason Herzog. Song is orthodox, Figueiredo as well, but the Brazilian is switching stances constantly in the early going. Subjectively, Figueiredo gives up some size to the burly Song, but it’s far from the biggest size disparity we’ve seen tonight. I’m writing these side notes because, through 90 seconds, neither man has really committed to more than a single probing strike here and there. Song bursts forward into the pocket with a big right cross, but Figueiredo slips and most of the impact misses him. Song reaches out with a jab to the midsection, then an outside calf kick. Figueiredo is still moving laterally, switching stances, and remaining well within range, but through three minutes, he’s still barely throwing. Figrueiredo changes levels for a takedown attempt, but Song slides out of range without even needing to sprawl. With under a minute to go, Song is stalking forward at a deliberate pace, reaching out with his jab anytime he gets within range. Song throws a strike and slips on an Octagon decal. The savvy Figueiredo takes advantage instantly, diving into Song’s guard, but there’s less than 30 seconds left and he can’t get anything going before the horn sounds on a frankly weird and tentative round.
10-9 Song
Round 2
Figueiredo comes out in southpaw to open Round 2, and he flicks out a left high kick that clatters off of Song’s arm and shoulder. Song steps back out of range of a spinning attack, and the two grin briefly and slap hands before returning to work. Song lands an overhand right, then touches the lead right leg of southpaw Figueiredo with a slapping calf kick. Figueiredo enters the pocket, possibly looking for a takedown, and they practically tumble past each other. They reset in the middle of the cage (and the middle of the round) and Song lands a calf kick that buckles his foe’s left leg. Figueiredo tries to change levels and Song, again, is just not there. There’s a minute left in the round, and Figueiredo simply hasn’t gotten off much offense of the feet.
Figueiredo drops for a double-leg, shooting right into Song’s front headlock. There might be a tear in Urijah Faber’s eye as Song drops to his seat with an airtight guillotine choke that is vintage Team Alpha.
Figueiredo is tapping frantically in seconds, and the Galaxy Arena explodes with jubilation as its favorite fighting son jumps up to celebrate.
The Official Result
Yadong Song def. Deiveson Figueiredo R2 4:42 via Submission (Guillotine Choke)
AJ picks Song Yadong as a confident pick, citing age advantage (28 vs 38), physicality, and hand speed. He notes Figueiredo's power hasn't translated well to bantamweight and that Song is an underrated wrestler. AJ expects a stoppage or dominant decision, especially with Figueiredo missing weight previously and fighting in China.
AJ picks Song Yadong, citing his hand speed, explosiveness, and youth (10 years younger). He thinks Figueiredo is past his prime and hasn't looked good since 2024, with a split decision win over Montel Jackson. Song's only recent losses are to Sean O'Malley and Petr Yan. AJ believes Song will outwork Figueiredo over five rounds, possibly with a TKO, but notes Figueiredo is durable. He sees Song winning in all phases.
AJ calls Song a lock, citing his youth, speed, power, and well-rounded game. He thinks Figueiredo is past his prime, with recent weight misses and a decline in performance. AJ expects Song to win by KO, possibly later in the fight, as Figueiredo's chin may not hold up.
Angelo picks Song Yadong because he is a technical striker with power and can mix in wrestling. He notes that Figueiredo is 38 and declining, and that Song is too big and strong. He thinks Figueiredo is being used as a gatekeeper for the local star.
Angelo picks Song Yadong, citing his size, speed, and power advantages over the aging Figueiredo. He notes that Figueiredo's success comes from bullying opponents, but Song is bigger and hits harder. He believes Song will win, possibly by decision, and mentions that a decision prop could provide extra value. He is surprised the odds are widening in Figueiredo's favor.
Angelo picks Song Yadong, citing his superior striking speed, power, and offensive wrestling. He believes Figueiredo, a former flyweight moving up, will be the smaller fighter and unable to bully Song. Angelo notes Song's finishing upside and experience in five-round fights, making him a strong DraftKings play.
Big Brady is confident in Song Yadong, citing Figueiredo's age (38), weight cut struggles at bantamweight, and poor performance against Umar Nurmagomedov where he landed only seven strikes in 15 minutes. He notes Song has never been dropped, has good takedown defense and getup game, and believes Figueiredo is washed. He predicts a decision win for Song, acknowledging Figueiredo's toughness and lack of official KO losses.
Cody is fully confident in Song Yadong, citing his higher trajectory, superior skills, cardio, durability, and striking volume. He notes Figueiredo's power hasn't translated to 135, his cardio is poor, and he's on a 1-4 slide. Cody sees no path for Figueiredo except a puncher's chance, which he dismisses due to Figueiredo's low volume and one-and-done style.
Connor agrees with Zane, stating that Song Yadong is the clear pick. He emphasizes that Figueiredo has fallen off the pace cliff and needs opponents who won't push him, while Song Yadong is a hyper-elite athlete who maintains a hard fight round after round. Connor also notes that Song Yadong doesn't have a major grappling deficiency, making Figueiredo's path to victory unclear.
Daniel Levi picks Song Yadong, citing his exceptional boxing, underrated durability, and improved grappling. He believes Figueiredo's best path is via submission but doubts his cardio to sustain grappling over five rounds. Levi notes Song's momentum and timing, and suggests a potential knockout.
Jacob picks Song Yadong because he is good enough to win and Figueiredo slows down as the fight goes. He notes that Song has a tendency to be cocky and put himself in bad positions, but overall he should win. He warns that Figueiredo is always live for a submission or knockout.
Lucrative James picks Song Yadong primarily due to the 10-year age advantage and being in his prime versus Figueiredo who is 38 and past his prime. He emphasizes Song's superior cardio, speed, durability, and youth, noting that Figueiredo has changed his style to be less aggressive and lacks the physicality he once had. He acknowledges Figueiredo's guillotine threat but believes Song's improved grappling and overall athleticism will be too much. He predicts a knockout, citing Song's point to prove after a close loss to Sean O'Malley.
The host picks Song Yadong, citing his youth, speed, power, and cardio advantage. He believes Song's grappling is good enough to halt Figueiredo's takedowns and that he will outstrike and outpoint Figueiredo over five rounds. He expects a decision win and doesn't mind the chalky price.
The host believes Song Yadong has all advantages: more power, speed, youth, better wrestling, and good defensive grappling. He acknowledges Figueiredo's durability and cardio but expects Yadong to win convincingly by decision, barring a Hail Mary submission.
Paul agrees with Cody, calling Song Yadong a clear play across the board. He emphasizes Song's trajectory, hometown advantage, and Figueiredo's decline. Paul notes Figueiredo's low output (e.g., 8 significant strikes in 15 minutes vs Umar) and that he needs high volume to beat Song, which he can't provide.
The MMA Guru picks Song Yadong to win by finish in the third round. He notes that Song is a good boxer with leg kicks and pressure, and Figueiredo needs to get the fight to the ground to win. He believes Song's takedown defense is proven against better wrestlers, and he will overwhelm Figueiredo with volume and boxing, finishing him in the third round.
The Guru picks Song for the pick but notes Figueiredo is the value side. He thinks Song's volume and movement on the feet will win most minutes, and he has a geographical advantage. Figueiredo has power and grappling but may be slowing slightly. He expects a competitive decision and says the line is too wide.
The Guru picks Song Yadong over Deiveson Figueiredo, citing Yadong's youth, speed, and technical boxing. He believes Yadong's takedown defense and crisp combinations will overwhelm the aging Figueiredo, who has lost to top contenders. He expects Yadong to control the fight and win a decision or late finish.
Zane picks Song Yadong because Figueiredo has become a slow-paced fighter who relies on opponents not pushing him. Song Yadong is a durable, high-volume athlete who won't give Figueiredo the low pace he needs. Zane notes that Figueiredo's recent wins came against fighters like Montel Jackson and Marlon Vera who lacked pace, but Song Yadong maintains a steady pace and has decent wrestling to avoid Figueiredo's takedowns.
Totals
| Fighter | KD | Sig. Str. | Sig. Str. % | Total Str. | TD | TD % | Sub. Att | Rev. | Ctrl |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Umar Nurmagomedov | 0 | 34 of 72 | 47% | 103 of 167 | 2 of 6 | 33% | 0 | 0 | 4:50 |
| Deiveson Figueiredo | 0 | 8 of 27 | 29% | 28 of 58 | 0 of 0 | --- | 0 | 0 | 0:09 |
Per Round
| Rd | Fighter | KD | Sig. Str. | Sig. Str. % | Total Str. | TD | TD % | Sub. Att | Rev. | Ctrl |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Umar Nurmagomedov | 0 | 9 of 19 | 47% | 28 of 46 | 1 of 2 | 50% | 0 | 0 | 1:34 |
| Deiveson Figueiredo | 0 | 0 of 6 | 0% | 1 of 10 | 0 of 0 | --- | 0 | 0 | 0:00 | |
| 2 | Umar Nurmagomedov | 0 | 19 of 40 | 47% | 19 of 40 | 0 of 3 | 0% | 0 | 0 | 0:11 |
| Deiveson Figueiredo | 0 | 8 of 20 | 40% | 8 of 20 | 0 of 0 | --- | 0 | 0 | 0:09 | |
| 3 | Umar Nurmagomedov | 0 | 6 of 13 | 46% | 56 of 81 | 1 of 1 | 100% | 0 | 0 | 3:05 |
| Deiveson Figueiredo | 0 | 0 of 1 | 0% | 19 of 28 | 0 of 0 | --- | 0 | 0 | 0:00 |
Significant Strikes
| Fighter | Sig. Str. | Sig. Str. % | Head | Body | Leg | Distance | Clinch | Ground |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Umar Nurmagomedov | 34 of 72 | 47% | 19 of 50 | 11 of 17 | 4 of 5 | 28 of 58 | 2 of 3 | 4 of 11 |
| Deiveson Figueiredo | 8 of 27 | 29% | 4 of 18 | 4 of 8 | 0 of 1 | 7 of 26 | 1 of 1 | 0 of 0 |
Significant Strikes Per Round
| Rd | Fighter | Sig. Str. | Sig. Str. % | Head | Body | Leg | Distance | Clinch | Ground |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Umar Nurmagomedov | 9 of 19 | 47% | 3 of 11 | 4 of 6 | 2 of 2 | 7 of 12 | 1 of 1 | 1 of 6 |
| Deiveson Figueiredo | 0 of 6 | 0% | 0 of 3 | 0 of 2 | 0 of 1 | 0 of 6 | 0 of 0 | 0 of 0 | |
| 2 | Umar Nurmagomedov | 19 of 40 | 47% | 12 of 28 | 5 of 9 | 2 of 3 | 18 of 38 | 1 of 2 | 0 of 0 |
| Deiveson Figueiredo | 8 of 20 | 40% | 4 of 14 | 4 of 6 | 0 of 0 | 7 of 19 | 1 of 1 | 0 of 0 | |
| 3 | Umar Nurmagomedov | 6 of 13 | 46% | 4 of 11 | 2 of 2 | 0 of 0 | 3 of 8 | 0 of 0 | 3 of 5 |
| Deiveson Figueiredo | 0 of 1 | 0% | 0 of 1 | 0 of 0 | 0 of 0 | 0 of 1 | 0 of 0 | 0 of 0 |
Play-by-Play
View on SherdogBETTING PREVIEW | SCOUTING REPORT | ODDS: Nurmagomedov (-1450), Figueiredo (+850)
Round 1
One more catchweight contest sits on tonight’s lineup, as former flyweight kingpin Figueiredo (25-5-1, 14-5-1 UFC) blew past the 136-pound limit of his relatively new division by two and a half pounds. Like Perez before, Figueiredo will give up 25% of his purse. Nurmagomedov (19-1, 7-1 UFC) will gladly pocket that as he closes as a monumental betting favorite of -1600 or higher depending on the book, which could very well end the year as the widest discrepancy between fighters. Referee Herb Dean draws the charge for this pairing, one that opens up without a glove touch.
Nurmagomedov moves directly to the center of the Octagon and aims his low kick out to get his range. Figueiredo responds with a faked takedown attempt, and he hops back to avoid another leg kick. Nurmagomedov bounces back and forth on his heels switching stances, and he misses with a high kick. The Russian catches Figueiredo with a front kick to the chest, knocking him back but not appearing to otherwise harm him. Nurmagomedov calmly works his way in, with a kick aimed up high before he checks one coming back his direction. Figueiredo just misses on a big right hand, and he dodges a kick aimed at his face. The two crash together, and Nurmagomedov connects with a pair of short uppercuts on the inside that back “Daico” up. Nurmagomedov plants another front kick on the midsection to drive his man back.
Legs clash together when kicked at the same time, and Nurmagomedov just misses a front-leg high kick and shoots in for a double. Figueiredo defends with a guillotine choke to force the two back to their feet seconds later. Nurmagomedov sells out for a body lock and trip takedown, landing successfully in half guard to put Figueiredo flat on his back. Nurmagomedov smothers from above as Figueiredo drags him back to his closed guard, and Nurmagomedov promptly punches him to open it back up. They both swing at one another until the bell and a bit beyond, and it remains to be seen if Figueiredo connected with a single significant strike after the five-minute period.
Sherdog Scores
Jay Pettry scores the round: 10-9 Nurmagomedov
Devin Tejada scores the round: 10-9 Nurmagomedov
Scottie Smith scores the round: 10-9 Nurmagomedov
Round 2
The fighters touch gloves as the second round begins, and Nurmagomedov is quick to get his foot in Figueiredo’s face. Figueiredo tries to swing back with a right hand, but when he bounces back, his face shows his visible frustration. The Brazilian scores a right to the body, and he dodges a number of kicks that whiz past him. Nurmagomedov lands at the end of a high kick, and he hurls another from the other leg that Figueiredo catches and uses to put the Russian down. Nurmagomedov easily escapes from being stuck on his back, and they resume back in the center of the cage. Figueiredo ducks and works his way in, but Nurmagomedov reaches him first. Figueiredo loads up with a body kick, and the Russian bookends it with two kicks of his own to the abdomen. Figueiredo just leans back enough to evade a few high kicks, and he flashes a grin after one buzzes the tower.
Figueiredo has still yet to fully engage, and he prepares to defend a double-leg entry that he stuffs. Figueiredo keeps moving on the outside, backing away and not attacking with any thing of merit. They both land single punches, but in that similar stretch of time, Nurmagomedov has landed a few more before and after. Figueiredo grabs a kick from out of the air but cannot take the fight down this time. Nurmagomedov sets up a body lock with a one-one-two, and he grapples Figueiredo but cannot get him down. Figueiredo clips his foe with a right hand, and Nurmagomedov is surprised by the power that just hit him. Figueiredo sees that he has his man finally paying attention, and he loads up on a few more and scores them hard. Nurmagomedov hurls a few back, and he lands cleanly when he does, but is largely defending himself when the round concludes.
Sherdog Scores
Jay Pettry scores the round: 10-9 Nurmagomedov
Devin Tejada scores the round: 10-9 Nurmagomedov
Scottie Smith scores the round: 10-9 Nurmagomedov
Round 3
Nurmagomedov strikes first in the final frame with a front kick, and he tosses one from the other side to make Figueiredo defend it. Nurmagomedov blasts the body with a fierce kick, and he skims one off the red-dyed stripe of the Brazilian’s melon. Nurmagomedov slaps his foe with a light high kick, and Dean asks for more from the two. The Russian scores another head kick, and he channels it into a takedown. Figueiredo defends with his guillotine, but this time, Nurmagomedov easily slides out of it to establish himself on top. When landing some ground strikes, Nurmagomedov is warned for landing them to the back of the head.
Nurmagomedov embraces the grind, in Figueiredo’s closed guard with no need to advance. Precious seconds tick off the clock for the former flyweight champ, who is stuck flat with no answers as he gets pummeled with elbows. Figueiredo tries to use butterfly hooks to push off, but this only allows Nurmagomedov to pass to half. Fans shower the athletes with boos while Nurmagomedov further makes Figueiredo’s life miserable with his ground attack. When Nurmagomedov looks to pass, Figueiredo uses that motion against him to drag him back to the guard—but in doing so, keeps him trapped. Figueiredo is relegated to elbow strikes from his back to stay busy, and he explodes back up with seconds to go and throws so hard that he falls over again. When the match ends, they hug it out.
Sherdog Scores
Jay Pettry scores the round: 10-9 Nurmagomedov (30-27 Nurmagomedov)
Devin Tejada scores the round: 10-9 Nurmagomedov (30-27 Nurmagomedov)
Scottie Smith scores the round: 10-9 Nurmagomedov (30-27 Nurmagomedov)
The Official Result
Umar Nurmagomedov def. Deiveson Figueiredo via Unanimous Decision (30-27, 30-27, 30-27)
Angelo picks Umar Nurmagomedov with extreme confidence, calling minus 500 understated. He argues Umar is better in every aspect: striking, wrestling, speed, and strength. He questions how Figueiredo can win given his 57% takedown defense and lack of power. He believes Umar has way more paths to victory.
Big Brady sees this as a brutal matchup for Figueiredo, who is 38 and coming off a poor performance against Sandhagen. He expects Umar to take him down easily and submit him, likely by rear-naked choke in the second round. He notes Figueiredo's only chance is a guillotine or big shot, but both are unlikely.
Cody agrees with Paul, noting Umar's wrestling and Figueiredo's decline. He mentions Figueiredo's poor cardio and lack of activity, making Umar a strong favorite. Cody is not betting the money line but considers the over 2.5 rounds or Umar by decision as alternatives.
Connor argues that Figueiredo has adapted well at bantamweight by slowing pace and relying on wrestling, but Umar is a superior wrestler and grappler who won't be outwrestled. He notes that Figueiredo's slow pace won't work against Umar's high volume of kicks and pressure, and that Figueiredo struggled on the ground against Corey Sandhagen. Connor believes the odds are disrespectful to Figueiredo, but still picks Umar confidently.
Daniel Vreeland picks Umar Nurmagomedov to dominate. He notes that Umar is younger, taller, and a massive favorite. Vreeland respects Figueiredo's power and experience but believes Umar will outwork him and possibly secure a finish. He advises passing on betting due to the steep odds.
James is confident in Nurmagomedov, citing his elite training camp with Islam Makhachev and Figueiredo's apparent lack of focus (posting guns and weightlifting). He predicts a submission win, possibly a rear-naked choke, and notes the odds reflect the disparity.
The host is confident in Nurmagomedov, expecting him to take Figueiredo down and wear him out for a late finish. He notes Figueiredo's only chance is a puncher's shot or guillotine, but doubts he can outwrestle or outstrike Nurmagomedov. He finds the -500 line amusing but sees it as justified, predicting a third-round finish.
Paul picks Umar Nurmagomedov but is not betting the money line due to the steep price. He believes Umar's wrestling and control will be too much for Figueiredo, who has declined at bantamweight. Paul notes Figueiredo's lack of cardio and recent performances, making Umar a safe pick for parlays.
The MMA Guru picks Umar Nurmagomedov, noting his constant pressure and grappling advantage over Figueiredo's 'small moments'. He believes Umar will survive Figueiredo's tricks and finish him via TKO in round two.
Zane agrees with Connor that Umar is the clear pick, emphasizing that Figueiredo's adjusted style of low output and wrestling won't work against Umar's wrestling and pressure. He notes that Umar will be happy to throw thousands of kicks from range and that Figueiredo's slow pace will be countered. Zane also comments on the odds being lopsided but still picks Umar.
Totals
| Fighter | KD | Sig. Str. | Sig. Str. % | Total Str. | TD | TD % | Sub. Att | Rev. | Ctrl |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Deiveson Figueiredo | 0 | 23 of 43 | 53% | 23 of 44 | 2 of 5 | 40% | 0 | 0 | 2:18 |
| Montel Jackson | 0 | 30 of 70 | 42% | 30 of 70 | 1 of 1 | 100% | 0 | 0 | 0:02 |
Per Round
| Rd | Fighter | KD | Sig. Str. | Sig. Str. % | Total Str. | TD | TD % | Sub. Att | Rev. | Ctrl |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Deiveson Figueiredo | 0 | 8 of 13 | 61% | 8 of 14 | 1 of 3 | 33% | 0 | 0 | 1:08 |
| Montel Jackson | 0 | 8 of 20 | 40% | 8 of 20 | 0 of 0 | --- | 0 | 0 | 0:00 | |
| 2 | Deiveson Figueiredo | 0 | 7 of 16 | 43% | 7 of 16 | 1 of 1 | 100% | 0 | 0 | 1:10 |
| Montel Jackson | 0 | 14 of 32 | 43% | 14 of 32 | 0 of 0 | --- | 0 | 0 | 0:00 | |
| 3 | Deiveson Figueiredo | 0 | 8 of 14 | 57% | 8 of 14 | 0 of 1 | 0% | 0 | 0 | 0:00 |
| Montel Jackson | 0 | 8 of 18 | 44% | 8 of 18 | 1 of 1 | 100% | 0 | 0 | 0:02 |
Significant Strikes
| Fighter | Sig. Str. | Sig. Str. % | Head | Body | Leg | Distance | Clinch | Ground |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Deiveson Figueiredo | 23 of 43 | 53% | 4 of 19 | 9 of 11 | 10 of 13 | 22 of 42 | 0 of 0 | 1 of 1 |
| Montel Jackson | 30 of 70 | 42% | 14 of 51 | 7 of 8 | 9 of 11 | 28 of 67 | 2 of 3 | 0 of 0 |
Significant Strikes Per Round
| Rd | Fighter | Sig. Str. | Sig. Str. % | Head | Body | Leg | Distance | Clinch | Ground |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Deiveson Figueiredo | 8 of 13 | 61% | 0 of 4 | 4 of 4 | 4 of 5 | 7 of 12 | 0 of 0 | 1 of 1 |
| Montel Jackson | 8 of 20 | 40% | 4 of 14 | 1 of 2 | 3 of 4 | 7 of 18 | 1 of 2 | 0 of 0 | |
| 2 | Deiveson Figueiredo | 7 of 16 | 43% | 2 of 9 | 3 of 3 | 2 of 4 | 7 of 16 | 0 of 0 | 0 of 0 |
| Montel Jackson | 14 of 32 | 43% | 7 of 24 | 4 of 4 | 3 of 4 | 14 of 32 | 0 of 0 | 0 of 0 | |
| 3 | Deiveson Figueiredo | 8 of 14 | 57% | 2 of 6 | 2 of 4 | 4 of 4 | 8 of 14 | 0 of 0 | 0 of 0 |
| Montel Jackson | 8 of 18 | 44% | 3 of 13 | 2 of 2 | 3 of 3 | 7 of 17 | 1 of 1 | 0 of 0 |
Play-by-Play
View on SherdogBETTING PREVIEW | SCOUTING REPORT | ODDS: Jackson (-300); Figueiredo (+250)
Round 1
On his first career losing streak, Figueiredo (24-5-1, 13-5-1 UFC) at the tender age of 37 would like nothing more than to turn things around at the expense of “Quik” Jackson (15-2, 9-2 UFC). Both bantamweights have plenty of firepower, so referee Jason Herzog will need to don his proverbial hard hat. Fists are bumped before they are traded.
Figueiredo lets loose first with a low kick, and he ducks a huge right hand to clinch up. They split before anything of merit lands, and Figueiredo resets and reaches with another low kick. Jackson plants a one-two on the Brazilian’s jaw, who responds with a heavier-than-expected body kick. Figueiredo kicks low and ducks the anticipated counter, and he looks for a body lock to muscle the longer man to the floor. “Daico” manages to leverage Jackson to the mat, where he starts hunting for a way to pass the guard. Jackson uses butterfly hooks to keep the former flyweight king at bay, and he briefly gives up his back when scrambling. Figueiredo takes it, and he has to let it go when Jackson explodes to his feet. Figueiredo drives a knee to the chest on the way up, and he retreats.
Jackson smacks him with an inside calf kick, and he doubles up on jabs to the body. Figueiredo turns his hips to a hard leg kick, and he swipes out with a right hand when Jackson advances towards him. The calf kicks land from both sides, and Figueiredo sprints in and ducks down to clip Jackson with a big right hand. Jackson fires back on the way back, catching the Brazilian as well but off-balance so his weight is not behind it. The two hand-fight, and Figueiredo boots his foe in the sternum. Jackson catches the leg, but when he cannot do anything with it, he releases it and bops Figueiredo in the nose with a jab. Figueiredo runs towards Jackson and cracks him with a right hand that makes Jackson’s knees buckle, and one final body kick from the former champ ends the round.
Sherdog Scores
Jay Pettry scores the round: 10-9 Figueiredo
Dayne Fox scores the round: 10-9 Figueiredo
Tyler Treese scores the round: 10-9 Figueiredo
Round 2
Figueiredo jogs out of his corner looking to throw hands, and he uses the punches to set up a takedown. Less than 20 seconds into the round, and Figueiredo has secured full mount. Jackson turns to escape, and Figueiredo uses the opportunity to snatch up an arm-triangle choke. “Deus da Guerra” jumps to the side to complete the sub, and rather than wait around for it to be over, Jackson somehow busts out of it and stops the choke from materializing. Figueiredo smoothly slides around to take the back, and he fishes for something but does not have any openings. Jackson works to his feet before long, and he stabs out a jab that bloodies up the bridge of the former flyweight champ’s nose. Figueiredo motions low to fake a takedown, and he kicks where he reached towards instead.
The feints of the Brazilian draw out reactions, allowing him to rip kicks to the body when not pump-faking. Jackson swats out with a single right hook, and Figueiredo does the same. Volume is low and both men are tentative to engage, and even more cautious committing to much. Figueiredo hops away from a couple half-hearted jabs and pitches a kick to the midsection. Jackson sticks and moves, and he just evades a looping right hand intent on lopping his head off at the stem. Jackson peppers the reddened nose of his foe with a few more jabs, and he takes a low kick on the way out. Jackson sits down on two punches and a knee, and Figueiredo is fired up and lets go with his own punches. A right hand from the Brazilian appears to wobble Jackson with seconds to spare, and the two duke it out until the bell sounds.
Sherdog Scores
Jay Pettry scores the round: 10-9 Figueiredo
Dayne Fox scores the round: 10-9 Figueiredo
Tyler Treese scores the round: 10-9 Figueiredo
Round 3
Bounding out of his corner ready for five more minutes of bantamweight melee, Figueiredo strikes first with a jumping stomp kick to the knee. The Brazilian goes high with his lead leg, and he sways to take the brunt out of a jab. Figueiredo backs his man up with surging punches, and he takes a flush jab on the forehead. Figueiredo drills the front leg with a kick, and he races forward and slips. Jackson does not capitalize on this, instead allowing Figueiredo to stand up so he can push out one single jab. Jackson chambers and fires off a hard low kick, and Figueiredo grins at him and briefly switches stances before recovering and loosing a body kick that just misses.
Jackson tags Figueiredo walking in with a left and then a right, and he times the bounces of the Brazilian to moderate effect. Jackson scores a body kick, and Figueiredo grimaces at him. Jackson kicks the same spot once more, resulting in a clinch and some knees from the Brazilian. Jackson uses a body lock to elevate the former champ and dump him on his back, and Figueiredo bounces off the mat as if he had springs in his shorts without taking a strike. Jackson backs off his opponent, but all he can muster is a low kick that is answered harder by the ex-champ. The crowd is completely out of the fight, disappointed by four straight losses for the locals, even though one might win this lackluster match. Figueiredo waves Jackson on with 10 seconds to go, and he boots Jackson in the belly with a kick. Pointing down again, he tricks Jackson to engage and shoots for a single. The bummer of a bout ends with Figueiredo looking for a hug.
Sherdog Scores
Jay Pettry scores the round: 10-9 Jackson (29-28 Figueiredo)
Dayne Fox scores the round: 10-9 Figueiredo (30-27 Figueiredo)
Tyler Treese scores the round: 10-9 Figueiredo (30-27 Figueiredo)
The Official Result
Deiveson Figueiredo def. Montel Jackson via Split Decision (28-29, 29-28, 29-28)
Angelo picks Montel Jackson, believing he will rise to the occasion. He notes Figueiredo is a shell of his former self, older and slower. He acknowledges Figueiredo's past success but thinks Montel's wrestling and power will be enough. He also mentions Figueiredo plus 3.5 as a possible bet.
Big Brady picks Montel Jackson to win by first-round knockout. He notes Jackson's significant size advantage (5-inch height, 7.5-inch reach) and power, having many knockdowns in the UFC. He believes Figueiredo has taken too much damage and is now 37, and that Jackson will keep the fight standing and land a knockout. He expects Jackson to stuff takedowns easily.
Cody also picks Figueiredo, calling it a 'dog or pass' fight. He highlights Jackson's low output and susceptibility to takedowns, while Figueiredo's experience and power make him live. He suggests waiting for a better price or live betting.
James picks Figueiredo as a value underdog, citing Figgy's superior jiu-jitsu and wrestling as a path to victory via submission or control. He notes Montel Jackson's wrestling vulnerability exposed in past fights and Figueiredo's ability to get takedowns. However, he admits low confidence due to Figueiredo's recent losses and age, and says he would not bet on Montel at -275.
Lucrative James picks Montel Jackson but is not confident. He notes Figueiredo's age and declining durability, but also his takedown and jiu-jitsu advantage. He believes Jackson's wrestling is a weakness, but Figueiredo may not be able to exploit it. He sees Jackson winning by decision, but wouldn't bet at -305.
Manpreet leans towards Jackson but is not confident enough to bet the moneyline at -300. He believes Jackson's reach and height advantages will be key, and that Jackson's power will find a knockout as Figueiredo slows down. However, he acknowledges Figueiredo's grappling threat and notes that if Figueiredo can get control time, he could win. He considers the KO prop for Jackson and the submission prop for Figueiredo at +800 as alternatives.
Paul picks Figueiredo as a dog, arguing that Montel Jackson's -300 price is unjustified. He points out Jackson's low volume striking and lack of elite wins, while Figueiredo has faced top competition and has the wrestling and power to win a close fight in Brazil. He sees value in the underdog.
The MMA Guru picks Montel Jackson over Deiveson Figueiredo, believing Figueiredo is past his prime and looked poor against Sandhagen. He notes Jackson has a reach advantage and is durable. He predicts a decision win for Jackson.
Totals
| Fighter | KD | Sig. Str. | Sig. Str. % | Total Str. | TD | TD % | Sub. Att | Rev. | Ctrl |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Cory Sandhagen | 0 | 54 of 87 | 62% | 92 of 149 | 2 of 2 | 100% | 0 | 1 | 5:07 |
| Deiveson Figueiredo | 0 | 6 of 9 | 66% | 8 of 11 | 2 of 5 | 40% | 0 | 1 | 0:31 |
Per Round
| Rd | Fighter | KD | Sig. Str. | Sig. Str. % | Total Str. | TD | TD % | Sub. Att | Rev. | Ctrl |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Cory Sandhagen | 0 | 31 of 39 | 79% | 53 of 78 | 1 of 1 | 100% | 0 | 0 | 3:37 |
| Deiveson Figueiredo | 0 | 2 of 2 | 100% | 3 of 3 | 1 of 4 | 25% | 0 | 0 | 0:04 | |
| 2 | Cory Sandhagen | 0 | 23 of 48 | 47% | 39 of 71 | 1 of 1 | 100% | 0 | 1 | 1:30 |
| Deiveson Figueiredo | 0 | 4 of 7 | 57% | 5 of 8 | 1 of 1 | 100% | 0 | 1 | 0:27 |
Significant Strikes
| Fighter | Sig. Str. | Sig. Str. % | Head | Body | Leg | Distance | Clinch | Ground |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Cory Sandhagen | 54 of 87 | 62% | 33 of 65 | 2 of 2 | 19 of 20 | 24 of 43 | 0 of 0 | 30 of 44 |
| Deiveson Figueiredo | 6 of 9 | 66% | 4 of 6 | 0 of 0 | 2 of 3 | 4 of 7 | 2 of 2 | 0 of 0 |
Significant Strikes Per Round
| Rd | Fighter | Sig. Str. | Sig. Str. % | Head | Body | Leg | Distance | Clinch | Ground |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Cory Sandhagen | 31 of 39 | 79% | 22 of 30 | 1 of 1 | 8 of 8 | 10 of 13 | 0 of 0 | 21 of 26 |
| Deiveson Figueiredo | 2 of 2 | 100% | 1 of 1 | 0 of 0 | 1 of 1 | 1 of 1 | 1 of 1 | 0 of 0 | |
| 2 | Cory Sandhagen | 23 of 48 | 47% | 11 of 35 | 1 of 1 | 11 of 12 | 14 of 30 | 0 of 0 | 9 of 18 |
| Deiveson Figueiredo | 4 of 7 | 57% | 3 of 5 | 0 of 0 | 1 of 2 | 3 of 6 | 1 of 1 | 0 of 0 |
Play-by-Play
View on SherdogBETTING PREVIEW | SCOUTING REPORT | ODDS: Sandhagen (-500), Figueiredo (+380)
Round 1
The final bout to grace Wells Fargo Arena on this Saturday features Sandhagen, a longtime bantamweight contender who has picked up an impressive collection of scalps while not-so-patiently waiting his chance at UFC gold, against a man in Figueiredo who has already worn the flyweight version of that hardware twice, and hopes a win over “The Sandman” will allow him to skip the line at age 38. Overseeing this ultra-high stakes clash will be veteran referee Dan Miragliotta, who thankfully has shown no sign of the clapper-versus-horn confusion that plagued him at UFC Kansas City last week. Both contenders are in orthodox stance, and it is the taller Sandhagen who takes the front foot in the early going. Figueiredo scores with a calf kick, and Sandhagen clinches and moves his foe to the fence. They jockey for position there, punctuated by a few short strikes, before disengaging. Figueiredo lands a solid uppercut on the break. They move back to the center of the Octagon and Figueiredo lands another uppercut, then changes levels and pulls the action to the canvas. Figueiredo moves to Sandhagen’s back in a flash, and looks close to securing back mount before Sandhagen tripods and elevates his hips, trying to get the Brazilian to slide off the top. He succeeds, but Figueiredo tries to hop back onto his back and actually threatens to do so for a moment. He bails and Sandhagen lands on top. Figueiredo looks for a heel hook, but Sandhagen gets to a safe spot and smashes Figueiredo with hammerfists. Figueiredo gives up the leglock and scrambles to get up, but Sandhagen ends up on top again in half guard. Figueiredo again attacks a leg, and again Sandhagen crushes the space, gets his leg out of danger and punishes “Deus da Guerra” with some thudding ground-and-pound. The round ends with Sandhagen above Figueiredo, calmly looking for openings to punch.
Sherdog Scores
Ben Duffy scores the round: 10-9 Sandhagen
Brian Knapp scores the round: 10-9 Sandhagen
Tyler Treese scores the round: 10-9 Sandhagen
Round 2
Sandhagen claims the center of the cage to open Round 2 and Figueiredo meets him there. They exchange low kicks that land and punching combinations that mostly glance or miss. Figueiredo changes levels for a slick single-leg, dragging Sandhagen to the floor. There, they briefly find themselves in a “leglock race” position that must have Ryan Hall shaking his head in Sandhagen’s corner. They return to their feet and moments later, it’s Sandhagen who times his man nicely for a level change, depositing the former flyweight champ on his rear and setting up in his guard. Sandhagen throws a salvo of punches with both hands, but loses top position a few moments later and ends up with Figueiredo standing over him out of half guard.
Sandhagen reaches for a leglock from the bottom and their legs become entwined as Sandhagen jumps back into his opponent’s guard. Sandhagen sweeps to top position and throws a couple of punches before it becomes apparent that Figueiredo is done fighting. Figueiredo taps in obvious pain as Miragliotta jumps in and waves off the fight. Replay shows that the entanglement of Sandhagen’s right leg and Figuereido’s left resulted in a knee injury to the Brazilian.
It surely isn’t how they drew it up in the gym, but as Sandhagen stands alone to have his hand raised while his stricken opponent is helped back to the locker rooms, he has made a solid case for at shot at the belt in his next fight.
The Official Result
Cory Sandhagen def. Deiveson Figueiredo R2 4:08 via TKO (Knee Injury)
Angelo is very confident in Cory Sandhagen, citing his superior striking, footwork, and durability. He believes Figueiredo's improved cardio and wrestling at bantamweight will not be enough to overcome Sandhagen's skills. He expects Sandhagen to win eight out of ten times and would bet if the odds drop to -300 or better.
Big Brady is confident in Cory Sandhagen, citing a rough matchup for Figueiredo. He notes that Figueiredo is undersized at bantamweight, his power hasn't translated, and he struggles with volume. Sandhagen has a great chin, cardio, and volume advantage, and will outland Figueiredo significantly. Figueiredo relies on moments, but Sandhagen is durable and hard to take down. Brady expects Sandhagen to pick Figueiredo apart over five rounds.
Connor agrees with Zane, emphasizing that Sandhagen can beat Figueiredo in every phase, including on the ground. He highlights Sandhagen's calmness in grappling positions, similar to Yan's ability to stall Figueiredo's back takes. Connor notes that Figueiredo's power is real but his speed is declining, and Sandhagen's size and durability make him a tough target. He calls it a straightforward pick but expects a competitive fight.
This is a perfect stylistic matchup for Sandhagen. Figueiredo may grapple early but can't keep it up for more than two rounds. Sandhagen's output, cardio, volume, and grappling will allow him to win at least three of the last four rounds and win a decision.
The MMA Guru picks Cory Sandhagen to win by TKO in round four, possibly due to a doctor stoppage from swelling. He believes Sandhagen's range, footwork, and jab will frustrate Figueiredo, who struggles with taller opponents. He compares it to Moreno's performance but expects Sandhagen to do more damage. He notes that Sandhagen has a good chin and can survive knockdowns. He thinks the odds are crazy and Sandhagen should be a -250 favorite.
Zane sees Sandhagen as a steady, adaptable technician who can fight well wherever the fight goes. He notes that Figueiredo's low output and reliance on singular moments of offense won't work against Sandhagen over five rounds. Zane also points out that Sandhagen's size and calm grappling defense will neutralize Figueiredo's takedowns, similar to how Yan handled them. He acknowledges Figueiredo's power but believes Sandhagen's consistency and volume will carry him to a decision win.
Totals
| Fighter | KD | Sig. Str. | Sig. Str. % | Total Str. | TD | TD % | Sub. Att | Rev. | Ctrl |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Petr Yan | 0 | 121 of 193 | 62% | 190 of 263 | 1 of 4 | 25% | 0 | 1 | 3:21 |
| Deiveson Figueiredo | 0 | 53 of 119 | 44% | 53 of 119 | 2 of 8 | 25% | 0 | 0 | 3:00 |
Per Round
| Rd | Fighter | KD | Sig. Str. | Sig. Str. % | Total Str. | TD | TD % | Sub. Att | Rev. | Ctrl |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Petr Yan | 0 | 6 of 6 | 100% | 42 of 42 | 0 of 0 | --- | 0 | 1 | 2:21 |
| Deiveson Figueiredo | 0 | 1 of 1 | 100% | 1 of 1 | 1 of 2 | 50% | 0 | 0 | 1:58 | |
| 2 | Petr Yan | 0 | 32 of 49 | 65% | 32 of 49 | 1 of 1 | 100% | 0 | 0 | 0:02 |
| Deiveson Figueiredo | 0 | 10 of 30 | 33% | 10 of 30 | 0 of 3 | 0% | 0 | 0 | 0:00 | |
| 3 | Petr Yan | 0 | 21 of 36 | 58% | 28 of 44 | 0 of 0 | --- | 0 | 0 | 0:54 |
| Deiveson Figueiredo | 0 | 13 of 25 | 52% | 13 of 25 | 1 of 1 | 100% | 0 | 0 | 0:06 | |
| 4 | Petr Yan | 0 | 25 of 40 | 62% | 50 of 65 | 0 of 0 | --- | 0 | 0 | 0:04 |
| Deiveson Figueiredo | 0 | 14 of 30 | 46% | 14 of 30 | 0 of 2 | 0% | 0 | 0 | 0:55 | |
| 5 | Petr Yan | 0 | 37 of 62 | 59% | 38 of 63 | 0 of 3 | 0% | 0 | 0 | 0:00 |
| Deiveson Figueiredo | 0 | 15 of 33 | 45% | 15 of 33 | 0 of 0 | --- | 0 | 0 | 0:01 |
Significant Strikes
| Fighter | Sig. Str. | Sig. Str. % | Head | Body | Leg | Distance | Clinch | Ground |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Petr Yan | 121 of 193 | 62% | 78 of 142 | 18 of 21 | 25 of 30 | 103 of 172 | 13 of 15 | 5 of 6 |
| Deiveson Figueiredo | 53 of 119 | 44% | 23 of 75 | 24 of 36 | 6 of 8 | 49 of 112 | 4 of 7 | 0 of 0 |
Significant Strikes Per Round
| Rd | Fighter | Sig. Str. | Sig. Str. % | Head | Body | Leg | Distance | Clinch | Ground |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Petr Yan | 6 of 6 | 100% | 5 of 5 | 0 of 0 | 1 of 1 | 1 of 1 | 1 of 1 | 4 of 4 |
| Deiveson Figueiredo | 1 of 1 | 100% | 0 of 0 | 1 of 1 | 0 of 0 | 1 of 1 | 0 of 0 | 0 of 0 | |
| 2 | Petr Yan | 32 of 49 | 65% | 12 of 26 | 6 of 6 | 14 of 17 | 31 of 48 | 1 of 1 | 0 of 0 |
| Deiveson Figueiredo | 10 of 30 | 33% | 6 of 21 | 3 of 7 | 1 of 2 | 10 of 29 | 0 of 1 | 0 of 0 | |
| 3 | Petr Yan | 21 of 36 | 58% | 16 of 28 | 1 of 3 | 4 of 5 | 18 of 32 | 2 of 2 | 1 of 2 |
| Deiveson Figueiredo | 13 of 25 | 52% | 4 of 15 | 6 of 7 | 3 of 3 | 13 of 25 | 0 of 0 | 0 of 0 | |
| 4 | Petr Yan | 25 of 40 | 62% | 19 of 33 | 5 of 5 | 1 of 2 | 21 of 35 | 4 of 5 | 0 of 0 |
| Deiveson Figueiredo | 14 of 30 | 46% | 4 of 15 | 8 of 12 | 2 of 3 | 12 of 26 | 2 of 4 | 0 of 0 | |
| 5 | Petr Yan | 37 of 62 | 59% | 26 of 50 | 6 of 7 | 5 of 5 | 32 of 56 | 5 of 6 | 0 of 0 |
| Deiveson Figueiredo | 15 of 33 | 45% | 9 of 24 | 6 of 9 | 0 of 0 | 13 of 31 | 2 of 2 | 0 of 0 |
Play-by-Play
View on SherdogRound 1
A big one at 135 pounds wraps up this fight card, with a possible title challenger emerging depending on the result. Former beltholder Yan (17-5, 9-4 UFC) has struggled as of late but did right the ship in March with a decision over Yadong Song. On the other side of the cage stands ex-flyweight kingpin Figueiredo (24-3-1, 13-3-1 UFC), whose run at the new division has gone swimmingly thus far with three wins in three appearances. Whether he makes it four in the next 25 minutes or less, referee Mike Beltran and his outstanding moustache will be here for it every step of the way. As he brings them to the center of the cage to issue final instructions, the combatants eagerly bump their fists together. Yan starts aggressively, backing the Brazilian off early. Figueiredo strikes first with a body kick and shoots for a takedown, and Yan defends the double but falls victim to an inside trip takedown. Figueiredo lands in the guard, with Yan smacking him off his back. Yan tries to elevate and sweep his opponent, and Figueiredo hangs on from above when Yan turns to his knees. Figueiredo looks to keep Yan grounded, staying heavy on Yan’s back and following Yan when he rolls. Yan elbows from behind, bopping Figueiredo on the nose a few times as the bantamweights keep twisting and turning. Yan uses elbows to the thigh to break up a partial leg grip around him, and this results in Figueiredo getting both hooks in and taking the back. Figueiredo looks for a body triangle, and Yan maintains a two-on-one wrist lock so he can explode and twist around to claim top position. Yan gets off a single elbow before Figueiredo grips hold of him with all of his might, and Yan drags him to put his neck on the corner of the fence and the floor. Yan covers the Brazilian’s mouth when not driving his elbow into his face, and he postures up every so often to land a strike. Yan drills his man with a solid right hammerfist and an elbow with his other arm, forcing Figueiredo to turn to his side in an escape attempt. Figueiredo bucks and kicks, but Yan stays above him scoring a solid right hand. As Figueiredo leaps back to his feet, Yan knees him hard, and he kicks the front leg while Figueiredo circles away to end the round. 10-9 Yan.
Round 2
The bantamweights re-engage after five minutes of largely grappling, with Yan setting up punches and a head kick with a low kick. Figueiredo walks through a stomping kick to his knee to fire off his own head kick, and Yan blocks it and blasts the front leg with his shin. Figueiredo sits down on a clubbing right hand that sends Yan backpedaling, and it is one-and-done so Yan recovers without issue. Yan strikes again with a low kick, and he kicks high. Yan is warned for outstretched fingers, and he belts the Brazilian in the body with his foot. A level change from Figueiredo is easily thwarted, and Yan chops at his front leg when his foe backs off. Figueiredo absorbs a head kick, blocks a second and retaliates with one to the ribs. Yan steps in with a right hook, and he brings up a knee shield to defend a body kick. Figueiredo whizzes past his man to connect a right hand, and he spins with a wheel kick and misses the mark. A second power right from Figueiredo wobbles Yan’s legs, and he spins with a back kick that pounds into the ribcage. Yan bounces off the wall and gets his bearings, with Figueiredo not committing to anything additional. Yan kicks the lead leg and then reaches out with a left hand, and Figueiredo trips and hits the floor but climbs up without concern. A jumping switch kick from Figueiredo bounces off the guard, and he lunges in with a right hand and checks a leg kick. Yan plants a left hand on the cheek, stuffs a takedown and does it again. Two clean punches from Yan make Figueiredo blink it out, and his fingers are pointed towards his opponent and draw another warning. They clash shins together with simultaneous kicks, and Figueiredo’s hooks get his foe’s attention. Yan pays him back with an elbow up close, and his kicks pepper “Daico” on the way out. Figueiredo wraps two hooks around the guard, and Yan keeps his fist outstretched to back Figueiredo off. Yan hits a clean trip and throw, and Figueiredo throws his legs up for a triangle as the bell sounds. 10-9 Figueiredo.
Round 3
The fighters are revved up and excited to get back to hitting one another in the face, so much so that Beltran has to back them off. When they start, it takes nearly 20 seconds before they strike. Yan jabs and kicks with his front leg, and Figueiredo hammers the body with a left hand. Yan chips at the front leg, backing away to block a body kick. Both fighters switch stances time and again directly in front of one another, and Figueiredo kicks his way into a tackling double-leg takedown. Yan’s scramble allows him to grab hold of one leg, and he is able to escape before long. Yan slams home a low kick, and he connects with a short but explosive uppercut that stuns and sends Figueiredo falling to his back. Yan climbs into the guard in hopes of finishing the job, but “Deus da Guerra” is hanging tight to protect himself from further damage. Figueiredo wall-walks and shoves Yan away, and Yan walks him down and boots him in the front leg. Figueiredo switches stances immediately, and Yan kicks him in the ribs but eats a right hand up top for his handiwork. The two crash together, and the impact sounds like they clacked heads. Figueiredo breaks out of the clinch and throws a haymaker from downtown, one that does not hit the broad side of a barn. Figueiredo hunts for a step-in trip, and he hand-fights Yan who is trying to box his way in. Figueiredo connects with a body kick, and he reaches out with a right hand as Yan shakes it off. Yan times a head kick, and Figueiredo boots him in the chest right back. Figueiredo splits the guard with a one-two, and a body shot makes Yan take a second to think about things. Figueiredo closes in on him and digs several uppercuts up the middle, and he appears to find a strike that is doing some serious damage. A few more uppercuts ring Figueiredo’s bell, and Yan leaps in the air to knee Figueiredo on the chin. Figueiredo gets his mouthpiece knocked out, and Beltran has him replace it. When Figueiredo puts the gumshield back in, he looses one final combination of strikes that lead him to the horn. 10-9 Yan.
Round 4
It is championship round time, and both men still appear to have a full head of steam. Figueiredo rushes out of his corner to engage, lobbing kicks from both legs. Yan attempts a trip and throw, and he disrupts Figueiredo’s footwork to make him hit the floor. Figueiredo’s mad scramble gets him upright in seconds, and they resume from striking range. They hand-fight until Figueiredo kicks his man in the ribs. Figueiredo shoots for a double, and he leverages Yan to the wall when the first try fails. Figueiredo tries with a single, lifting Yan’s leg but not going anywhere. Yan pushes him away, and they reset. Yan times a powerful uppercut that knocks Figueiredo’s mouthpiece out, and he follows it with a head kick that is just blocked in time. Beltran waits until he has an opening to give the Brazilian back his mouthpiece, and he replaces it. Yan slaps Figueiredo in the face with his toes, and he slides back when Figueiredo bears down on him. The boxing of Yan allows him to slip a huge punch and uppercut Figueiredo cleanly, and when they are in close range, Figueiredo claims about glove grabs. Figueiredo dips down and fires off a body shot, and two punches go up top. Yan jabs and steps in with an elbow, and a piece of his tape on his thumb comes off. Figueiredo blasts the body with a ferocious left hand, and he ducks a looping strike for a takedown shot. Yan stifles the effort and just misses with a booming head kick, but he does connect with uppercuts and a flying knee when the two let loose. Figueiredo tries his own uppercut, and he blocks a head kick and comes over the top with a left. Figueiredo strides forward to unleash a right hand, and Yan goes flying. When Yan gets up, Figueiredo hurts his man in the body with follow-up strikes, and Yan steels himself and unloads a series of uppercuts until time expires. 10-9 Yan.
Round 5
Five minutes left to work, and the fighters touch ‘em up one last time. Yan hand-fights on his way into attack, and Figueiredo catches him with an uppercut. Yan tries to escape, but one left hand to the body gets his attention again. Yan attempts a big knee when Figueiredo is ducking, and it grazes off the red line on Figueiredo’s dome. Figueiredo gets clinched, eats a knee and an uppercut without landing anything before getting shoved back. Yan goes into boxer mode, pinning his punches on Figueiredo’s chin again and again. Figueiredo throws back with bad intentions, shaking his foe up with an elbow and a few mighty left hands. Figueiredo digs a kick to the body, and he watches as body kick soar past him. Figueiredo shoots, Yan sprawls and they reset. Yan steps in with a left hand, slides away and does not get tagged on the counter. Yan rifles off a left hand, and Figueiredo decides to pay him back with a clubbing right hook. Yan bounces off the fencing and absorbs a flush body shot, and he just misses with a huge uppercut. Yan spins with an elbow, and Figueiredo grins and tells him good work. Figueiredo points to the ground in what has been a gesture repeated frequently today, and Yan shrugs it off and times another spinning strike. Yan scores an elbow, and Figueiredo drives an elbow into the torso. Another elbow forces Figueiredo to back off, if only for a second, and Yan smacks him cleanly with a flying switch kick. Figueiredo boots him in the head with a question-mark kick, and he hurts the Russian with two huge right hands. Figueiredo rushes forward to attack, and both fighters duck down and crash together. Figueiredo goes hind quarters-over-tea kettle and falls off the back, and he jumps back up and walks Yan down, throwing everything he has at his opponent. Yan looks for a knee up the middle, and he belts the Brazilian’s body with his shin. Figueiredo swings hard, and he stops a takedown. Yan scores with one more left hand, and this terrific 25-minute engagement comes to a close. A few rounds were close, but one fighter appeared to outwork the other over the course of their “Fight of the Night”-worthy battle. Both men climb to the top of the cage to celebrate their handiwork, hugging it out and taking time to enjoy the crowd showering them with love. 10-9 Yan (49-46 Yan).
The thriller in the books, the victorious Yan is joined in the cage by his son, who it appears may be watching his father fight live for the very first time. Like the winner of the co-main event, Yan calls for another title shot, although he is two fights removed from the championship bout and not one like the strawweight from earlier. Even in defeat, Figueiredo is all smiles, appreciating Yan's handiwork and generally a happy camper. With that, UFC Macau is in the books, and there is no UFC next week as it is Thanksgiving week in America. Instead, PFL runs its championship event on Friday, which contains a remarkable 10 title fights. We will be there for each and every one, and we hope you are too.
The Official Result
Petr Yan def. Deiveson Figueiredo via Unanimous Decision (50-45, 50-45, 50-45)
Angelo picks Petr Yan, citing his superior striking and takedown defense. He acknowledges Figueiredo's improved wrestling and cardio at bantamweight but believes Yan's five-round experience and size advantage will be key. He admits a weird feeling about Figueiredo and may not bet.
Big Brady picks Petr Yan to win by decision. He thinks it's a bad matchup for Figueiredo, who is older (36), smaller, and a low-volume striker relying on power that likely won't hurt Yan. Yan is younger, has better cardio and volume, and is durable. Brady doesn't believe Figueiredo has the wrestling to take Yan down, as even Merab was unsuccessful. He expects Yan to outwork Figueiredo over five rounds, possibly with a late finish.
Cody picks Petr Yan because of his superior cardio and volume striking over five rounds. He notes Figueiredo is a power puncher with a limited gas tank who relies on early knockdowns and takedowns, but Yan's takedown defense and endless motor will allow him to outwork Figueiredo in the later rounds. He expects Yan to win by decision and sees a live betting opportunity if Yan starts slow.
Connor agrees with Zane, picking Yan because Figueiredo's cautious, low-output style and declining speed play into Yan's strengths. He notes that Yan's confidence may be shaken but Figueiredo won't pressure him early like Merab did. Connor also highlights that Figueiredo's gas tank is worse and he may be content to lose a quiet decision, which suits Yan's late-round surge.
Daniel Vreeland believes Petr Yan will win despite being a slow starter. He expects Figueiredo to have early success with calf kicks and submission attempts, but as Yan makes his reads and gets his timing down, he will take over. Vreeland notes Yan's superior boxing and timing-based takedowns, and thinks Yan can either finish late or win a decision. He is confident Yan dictates the pace and pulls away.
James picks Petr Yan to win but is hesitant due to the -300 price tag, which he considers too wide. He acknowledges Yan's superior striking volume and five-round experience, but notes Figueiredo's one-punch power and athleticism could cause an upset. He believes the fight is likely a 48-47 decision for Yan, but may take a small position on Figueiredo based on value.
All advantages lie in Yan's favor. He will have a slow start but pick up steam in the second, third, and fourth rounds, eventually finding the big shot on a depleted Figueiredo and winning by knockout in the third, fourth, or fifth round.
Paul agrees with Cody, emphasizing that Figueiredo would be a live dog in a three-round fight but cannot maintain the pace over five rounds. He highlights Yan's endless gas tank and the fact that Figueiredo cannot replicate Merab's takedown volume. Paul thinks Yan wins on volume and suggests a live bet if Yan starts slow, but warns the line may move quickly.
The MMA Guru picks Petr Yan over Deiveson Figueiredo, emphasizing the five-round advantage. He argues Figueiredo is explosive early but fades, while Yan's cardio and boxing improve as the fight goes on. He predicts Yan will weather early storms, then take over in later rounds with takedowns and ground and pound, finishing Figueiredo in round four or five. He compares it to Yan's fight against Jose Aldo. He notes Figueiredo's wins over Cody Garbrandt, Rob Font, and Marlon Vera but believes Yan's boxing is crisper than Moreno's.
Zane picks Petr Yan, arguing that Yan's process-oriented fighting style, which builds through rounds, will overcome Figueiredo's declining speed and output. He notes that Figueiredo has lost some speed and relies on strength and caution, but Yan's ability to adapt and pressure late in fights gives him the edge. Zane also mentions that Yan's confidence issues stem from the Merab fight, but Figueiredo's style won't exploit that as effectively.
Totals
| Fighter | KD | Sig. Str. | Sig. Str. % | Total Str. | TD | TD % | Sub. Att | Rev. | Ctrl |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Deiveson Figueiredo | 0 | 52 of 117 | 44% | 67 of 136 | 0 of 0 | --- | 0 | 0 | 0:08 |
| Marlon Vera | 1 | 45 of 90 | 50% | 59 of 104 | 2 of 14 | 14% | 0 | 0 | 2:30 |
Per Round
| Rd | Fighter | KD | Sig. Str. | Sig. Str. % | Total Str. | TD | TD % | Sub. Att | Rev. | Ctrl |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Deiveson Figueiredo | 0 | 8 of 18 | 44% | 21 of 35 | 0 of 0 | --- | 0 | 0 | 0:00 |
| Marlon Vera | 0 | 10 of 12 | 83% | 22 of 24 | 2 of 3 | 66% | 0 | 0 | 2:20 | |
| 2 | Deiveson Figueiredo | 0 | 18 of 40 | 45% | 19 of 41 | 0 of 0 | --- | 0 | 0 | 0:05 |
| Marlon Vera | 0 | 14 of 28 | 50% | 14 of 28 | 0 of 6 | 0% | 0 | 0 | 0:00 | |
| 3 | Deiveson Figueiredo | 0 | 26 of 59 | 44% | 27 of 60 | 0 of 0 | --- | 0 | 0 | 0:03 |
| Marlon Vera | 1 | 21 of 50 | 42% | 23 of 52 | 0 of 5 | 0% | 0 | 0 | 0:10 |
Significant Strikes
| Fighter | Sig. Str. | Sig. Str. % | Head | Body | Leg | Distance | Clinch | Ground |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Deiveson Figueiredo | 52 of 117 | 44% | 15 of 67 | 15 of 22 | 22 of 28 | 46 of 108 | 6 of 9 | 0 of 0 |
| Marlon Vera | 45 of 90 | 50% | 18 of 57 | 15 of 20 | 12 of 13 | 42 of 84 | 1 of 2 | 2 of 4 |
Significant Strikes Per Round
| Rd | Fighter | Sig. Str. | Sig. Str. % | Head | Body | Leg | Distance | Clinch | Ground |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Deiveson Figueiredo | 8 of 18 | 44% | 2 of 10 | 1 of 1 | 5 of 7 | 6 of 14 | 2 of 4 | 0 of 0 |
| Marlon Vera | 10 of 12 | 83% | 3 of 5 | 2 of 2 | 5 of 5 | 8 of 9 | 0 of 0 | 2 of 3 | |
| 2 | Deiveson Figueiredo | 18 of 40 | 45% | 1 of 17 | 5 of 9 | 12 of 14 | 17 of 39 | 1 of 1 | 0 of 0 |
| Marlon Vera | 14 of 28 | 50% | 4 of 15 | 5 of 7 | 5 of 6 | 13 of 27 | 1 of 1 | 0 of 0 | |
| 3 | Deiveson Figueiredo | 26 of 59 | 44% | 12 of 40 | 9 of 12 | 5 of 7 | 23 of 55 | 3 of 4 | 0 of 0 |
| Marlon Vera | 21 of 50 | 42% | 11 of 37 | 8 of 11 | 2 of 2 | 21 of 48 | 0 of 1 | 0 of 1 |
Play-by-Play
View on SherdogBETTING PREVIEW | SCOUTING REPORT | ODDS: Figueiredo (-155), Vera (+130)
Round 1
Set in the “featured fight of the night” slot instead of the co-main event as would be reasonable, bantamweight strikers Vera (23-9-1, 15-8 UFC) and Figueiredo (23-3-1, 12-3-1 UFC) do not care much about card position as long as they can hit someone today. Vera has never been finished as a pro, while “Daico” has not lost since relocating to 135 pounds. “Fight of the Night” could be right around the corner, and referee Keith Peterson is will make sure no nonsense comes between them. Eager to throw leather, they ignore a glove touch and meet in the middle of the cage. Vera measures his range with a low kick, and he lands another on the calf to briefly disrupt the balance of his foe. Figueiredo fires one right back, leading Vera to punch the ball of his foot at Figueiredo’s knee. Figueiredo kicks the inner thigh and may have grazed the cup, but there is no pause. Figueiredo strikes his way into distance, and Vera uses a solid left hand to back him off. Figueiredo chops at the front leg, and he digs a right to the body and dips a punch to hit a takedown. Vera closes his guard and keeps tight wrist control to stop the Brazilian from striking him from above. Figueiredo frees his arms for a moment and drops down a heavy hammerfist, stacking Vera up so he can attempt to break out of the leg grip around his waist. Vera lifts his guard up higher, and this allows Figueiredo to land some ground strikes. Figueiredo stands back up to find a better way in, and Vera smacks him in the face with an upkick. This results in a furious scramble where Vera works his way back to his feet, and Figueiredo follows. Vera starts stalking the former flyweight king down, whipping out a high kick and protecting his jaw from a leaping left hand. Figueiredo winds up with a fierce low kick, and Vera flinches when Figueiredo fakes a second. Vera scores a jab and leaps forward with a knee, and Figueiredo scoops him off his feet and dumps him to the ground, landing in half guard and opening up with elbows right off the bat. Figueiredo drives home an elbow or two before the round concludes.
Sherdog Scores
Jay Pettry scores the round: 10-9 Figueiredo
Brian Knapp scores the round: 10-9 Figueiredo
Tristen Critchfield scores the round: 10-9 Figueiredo
Round 2
The second round begins with a low kick from Figueiredo, and he checks a kick back his way and whips one to the ribs. Vera clashes forward with a left hand, and he doubles up on leg kicks. Figueiredo hops back and forth, swatting Vera with a left hook. Vera attempts a head kick, and Figueiredo ducks down to go for a takedown, so Vera recoils it. Vera pushes out front kicks to the leg, and Figueiredo retaliates with a liver kick. Vera overswings, and Figueiredo threatens a takedown, abandons it and comes over the top with a right hand. Vera sticks a front kick to the solar plexus, and he low kicks his way in with a jab. Figueiredo ducks low for a takedown, and the Ecuadorian shoves him away and delivers a heavy low kick as Figueiredo backs off. Vera pierces the guard with a left hand, and Figueiredo punches him in the body. Vera does not like it, giving him a rude gesture because he thought it landed low. Figueiredo attempts a takedown, and Vera hops away and resets with a jab. Figueiredo zings a left over the top, and they trade leg kicks. Vera scores a front kick after checking a kick, and Figueiredo connects with a right hook. Figueiredo doubles up on a jab and comes out firing with a right hand, and Vera is ready for it. They go tit-for-tat with strikes, neither having a serious advantage, and Figueiredo tries for a takedown that results in him banging his forehead on his opponent’s. Vera kicks his way into a tie-up, and he connects with a body shot before the bell. Figueiredo protests about something after the bell, and Peterson gets between them to usher them back to their corners.
Sherdog Scores
Jay Pettry scores the round: 10-9 Vera
Brian Knapp scores the round: 10-9 Vera
Tristen Critchfield scores the round: 10-9 Vera
Round 3
Figueiredo starts the last round aggressively, shooting in for a takedown that is rebuffed by his opponent courtesy of a guillotine. Vera kicks at him, and Figueiredo grabs the leg and hops back to the fence to defend it. Vera breaks free, and he flicks out a few jabs. Figueiredo jabs him right back, and he shrugs off a calf kick to deliver a similar response. Figueiredo stabs a right hand to the body, leans back and takes a low kick. Vera follows a ducking Figueiredo with an uppercut, and he blitzes forward to land a pair of punches. Figueiredo triples up on strikes, and Vera parries and escapes. Vera comes up short on a head kick, and Figueiredo kicks him in the ribs before aiming a right to the lower chest. Figueiredo aims a left to the body and another, and he has a front kick push him back and gets picked at from a leg kick. Figueiredo sits down on a straight right hand, shaking the Ecuadorian to his core and setting him on his seat. Vera climbs back up to his feet, and Figueiredo beans him with a right up top and a left to the ribcage. The Brazilian has a fire lit under his belly, aiming single accurate strikes that land flush, and Vera aims to quell that fire with his own body shot response. Figueiredo takes his time rather than selling out on offense, and he rifles a right hand to the sternum. Vera connects with a heavy leg kick, and Figueiredo does the same in response. Figueiredo ducks a looping left hand in pursuit of a takedown, and Vera stands him up and is caught with a right hand. Figueiredo shoots in on the hips, and Vera sprawls effectively, backs the Brazilian off and kicks him in the body. Vera jabs his way in and spins with a wheel kick that buzzes past his opponent, and Figueiredo flirts with two takedowns that both fail thanks to Vera’s stalwart defense. The attempts shut down Vera’s combinations, and “Daico” fakes another that makes Vera drop to his knees. Figueiredo grins and starts throwing hands in the pocket, catching Vera and eating a right hand back. Vera goes to the liver, and Figueiredo waves him on. This initiates a brief brawl, and they end up in a Thai clinch and think about knees. Vera finds another way in with a knee, and when he lands on the mat, Figueiredo times an uppercut to sting Vera right at the bell.
Sherdog Scores
Jay Pettry scores the round: 10-9 Figueiredo (29-28 Figueiredo)
Brian Knapp scores the round: 10-9 Figueiredo (29-28 Figueiredo)
Tristen Critchfield scores the round: 10-9 Figueiredo (29-28 Figueiredo)
The Official Result
Deiveson Figueiredo def. Marlon Vera via Unanimous Decision (29-28, 29-28, 30-27)
Angelo picks Figueiredo because he expects him to use wrestling to neutralize Vera's durability and momentum. He notes Vera is a slow starter and Figueiredo only needs to win one of the first two rounds. He thinks Figueiredo saw Vera eat a huge knee and will avoid striking exchanges.
Big Brady thinks this fight could go either way and has split decision written all over it. He notes both fighters are low-volume moment winners, but Vera has never been finished while Figueiredo has been finished in two of three losses. He mentions Vera often loses the first round, suggesting a live bet opportunity, but ultimately picks Vera to win by split decision.
Cody picks Marlon Vera as a slight underdog, citing Figueiredo's tendency to gas and Vera's pressure and pace. He notes that Figueiredo has low volume and relies on takedowns, but Vera is a larger bantamweight who scrambles well and can break him. Cody worries about Vera giving up the first round but thinks he can take over in the second and third. He also mentions that Figueiredo's last flyweight fight was poor and he's been out struck at 135.
Daniel picks Chito Vera but with hesitation due to Vera's inconsistency. He notes that Vera performs best against shorter opponents and has the durability and toughness to outlast Figueiredo. However, he worries about Vera's tendency to not let his hands go. He thinks Figueiredo has slowed down on the feet and that Vera can win if he shows up, but acknowledges it's a hit-or-miss proposition.
Figueiredo's overall style will triumph. He will use calf kicks to open up takedowns and land enough damage to grind out a decision win.
Paul picks Deiveson Figueiredo, noting that Vera gives up first rounds and in a three-round fight that's hard to overcome. He thinks Figueiredo can mix in wrestling and win the first two rounds. Paul acknowledges Vera's pressure could break Figueiredo but leans toward the former champion's early output. He also mentions the line has moved and that Vera was a bigger underdog earlier.
The MMA Guru picks Deiveson Figueiredo over Marlon Vera, believing Figueiredo is a level above in striking and will mix in grappling. He notes Vera's poor takedown defense and inability to get up. He expects Figueiredo to control the first two rounds on the ground and win a 29-28 decision. He mentions Figueiredo's improved cardio at bantamweight.
Totals
| Fighter | KD | Sig. Str. | Sig. Str. % | Total Str. | TD | TD % | Sub. Att | Rev. | Ctrl |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Deiveson Figueiredo | 0 | 13 of 19 | 68% | 21 of 27 | 1 of 5 | 20% | 2 | 0 | 3:43 |
| Cody Garbrandt | 0 | 16 of 31 | 51% | 18 of 33 | 0 of 0 | --- | 0 | 0 | 0:02 |
Per Round
| Rd | Fighter | KD | Sig. Str. | Sig. Str. % | Total Str. | TD | TD % | Sub. Att | Rev. | Ctrl |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Deiveson Figueiredo | 0 | 9 of 15 | 60% | 9 of 15 | 0 of 3 | 0% | 0 | 0 | 0:04 |
| Cody Garbrandt | 0 | 14 of 26 | 53% | 15 of 27 | 0 of 0 | --- | 0 | 0 | 0:02 | |
| 2 | Deiveson Figueiredo | 0 | 4 of 4 | 100% | 12 of 12 | 1 of 2 | 50% | 2 | 0 | 3:39 |
| Cody Garbrandt | 0 | 2 of 5 | 40% | 3 of 6 | 0 of 0 | --- | 0 | 0 | 0:00 |
Significant Strikes
| Fighter | Sig. Str. | Sig. Str. % | Head | Body | Leg | Distance | Clinch | Ground |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Deiveson Figueiredo | 13 of 19 | 68% | 9 of 14 | 2 of 3 | 2 of 2 | 8 of 13 | 2 of 3 | 3 of 3 |
| Cody Garbrandt | 16 of 31 | 51% | 6 of 19 | 0 of 1 | 10 of 11 | 16 of 31 | 0 of 0 | 0 of 0 |
Significant Strikes Per Round
| Rd | Fighter | Sig. Str. | Sig. Str. % | Head | Body | Leg | Distance | Clinch | Ground |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Deiveson Figueiredo | 9 of 15 | 60% | 5 of 10 | 2 of 3 | 2 of 2 | 7 of 12 | 2 of 3 | 0 of 0 |
| Cody Garbrandt | 14 of 26 | 53% | 4 of 15 | 0 of 0 | 10 of 11 | 14 of 26 | 0 of 0 | 0 of 0 | |
| 2 | Deiveson Figueiredo | 4 of 4 | 100% | 4 of 4 | 0 of 0 | 0 of 0 | 1 of 1 | 0 of 0 | 3 of 3 |
| Cody Garbrandt | 2 of 5 | 40% | 2 of 4 | 0 of 1 | 0 of 0 | 2 of 5 | 0 of 0 | 0 of 0 |
Play-by-Play
View on SherdogBETTING PREVIEW | SCOUTING REPORT | ODDS: Figueiredo (-310), Garbrandt (+250)
Round 1
Tonight’s the night. And it’s going to happen again and again. Has to happen. Nice night. Las Vegas is a great town. I love the international food, bahn mi sandwiches, my favorite. But we’re hungry for something different now. Violence. It’s coming by the bucketful, and it starts with bantamweights that will almost certainly stand and bang. Former flyweight kingpin Figueiredo (22-3-1, 11-3-1 UFC) is putting some momentum together to make a run at his new weight class, while Garbrandt (14-5, 9-5 UFC) wishes to hold the line and prove he is not washed up at the tender age of 32. Fists are sure to fly, but before they do, referee Mark Smith checks them in. There is no touch of gloves, and it go time. Garbrandt introduces himself with a chopping calf kick, and he fires off another without concern. Garbrandt aims another on the inside, and then drops down on his knee to throw a sweeping kick out of the Mortal Kombat playbook. Figueiredo reaches out with a right hand that comes up short, and Garbrandt continues to work the lead leg. Figueiredo responds with one that he turns his hips into, and both men clash together and swing hard, while banging heads. Figueiredo backs off and gathers his thoughts, and he checks a kick coming at him. Figueiredo ducks an oncoming salvo and brings up a knee to the body, and he intercepts Garbrandt tossing a cartwheel kick by kicking Garbrandt in the face. The former bantamweight champ gets back up without issue, and he marches down “Daico.” Figueiredo lunges forward with an inaccurate swarm of punches, and Garbrandt hops in and out deliver a low kick. Garbrandt prods out with another calf kick, and he keeps his guard up to swat away a front kick aimed at his chin. Garbrandt leaps forward and catches the Brazilian with a left hand, and Figueiredo pulls guard and looks for a leglock. Garbrandt backs off before he is vulnerable, and he resets and dings a standing Figueiredo with a sharp one-two. Figueiredo meanders forward and lets go with a right hand, but it is one-and-done. Figueiredo does not quite reach with a front kick, but he elects to take the fight down and lifts Garbrandt’s leg up to drive him to the mat. Garbrandt jumps back up without taking any additional fire, and he lands a low kick before the bell.
Sherdog Scores
Jay Pettry scores the round: 10-9 Garbrandt
Edwin Ayala scores the round: 10-9 Garbrandt
Mike Fridley scores the round: 10-9 Figueiredo
Round 2
The fighters get back to business, and Garbrandt reaches out first with a high body kick. Figueiredo rushes forward swinging leather, and Garbrandt answers him with a clubbing left hand. Figueiredo pursues a takedown from behind, where he strips the former bantamweight champ from his balance and lowers him down to the mat. Figueiredo shifts over to move into half guard, where he presses down for a potential arm-triangle choke. Garbrandt turns, and Figueiredo takes his back and flattens him out. Figueiredo wriggles his arm out and hammers Garbrandt in the side of the head with a right hand. When Garbrandt turns back over, Figueiredo assumes full mount and sets up an arm-triangle choke. “Deus da Guerra” jumps over to the side and locks down the arm-triangle choke, and he squeezes with all his might. Garbrandt struggles and keeps his wits about him, while Figueiredo lowers his chest down to complete the maneuver. Figueiredo sits up just slightly and punches him in the side of the head, and he gets back to mount. Garbrandt tries to kick off and explode back to his feet, but the Brazilian mightily shoves him flat on his back. Figueiredo drops down shoulder strikes to the jaw, and he smacks Garbrandt in the side of the head with his fists when he finds openings. Garbrandt bursts back to his feet, and Figueiredo follows him every step of the way to lock down back control, set up a body triangle and start fishing for a choke.
Figueiredo cinches up a rear-naked choke, and at this point it is just academic. “No Love” considers going out on his shield, but at the last minute, he taps out, and we have our first finish of the evening.
This marks the first time that Garbrandt has ever been submitted.
The Official Result
Deiveson Figueiredo def. Cody Garbrandt R2 4:02 via Submission (Rear-Naked Choke)
Angelo picks Cody Garbrandt as the underdog, citing his superior wrestling, clean boxing, and size advantage. He notes Figueiredo's power may not carry up to bantamweight and that Garbrandt's chin is a concern but his wrestling history and boxing should prevail. He acknowledges Garbrandt's tendency to chase knockouts and get caught, but believes his wrestling and boxing will be enough.
Cody is very confident in Figueiredo. He notes that Garbrandt's resurgence came against low-level opponents (Brian Kelleher, Trevin Jones) and that he still has a weak chin. Figueiredo is a big bantamweight with power in both hands and solid takedown defense. Cody points out that Garbrandt fights emotionally and tends to run into fire when hit. He expects Figueiredo to knock Garbrandt out, possibly in the first round. Cody calls this his favorite bet on the card.
Connor picks Figueiredo, agreeing that Garbrandt's chin and tendency to make mistakes will be exploited. He notes that Figueiredo's new patient style will allow him to get reads without putting himself in danger. Connor points out that Garbrandt only gets reads when pursued, and Figueiredo will not oblige. He expects Figueiredo to land a big shot eventually.
Daniel Vreeland leans toward Deiveson Figueiredo, citing his power and guillotine choke. He acknowledges Garbrandt's chin issues and believes Figueiredo will land a knockout. However, he is hesitant due to Figueiredo's inconsistent performances and the high price (-300). Vreeland notes that Figueiredo can be gun-shy and Garbrandt has power, making this a risky bet.
Lucrative James does not make a pick for this fight. He calls it a banger and says it's impossible for the fight to be boring. He notes that the UFC has been trying to put it together for a while. No prediction is given.
Figueiredo is the bigger power puncher and will force Garbrandt to exchange. Garbrandt has been hesitant recently but will be forced to bite down on his mouthpiece and pay dearly. Figueiredo knocks him out within two rounds.
Paul agrees, noting that Garbrandt has all the skills but lacks durability. Figueiredo is a big flyweight who carries power up to bantamweight. Paul mentions that Garbrandt throws naked leg kicks in the pocket, leaving himself open to counters. Figueiredo has power in both hands and is relentless when he hurts opponents. Paul believes Garbrandt will get into a firefight and eventually get knocked out. He also notes that Figueiredo has good takedown defense and get-up game.
The MMA Guru envisions Cody Garbrandt knocking out Deiveson Figueiredo in the first round. He notes that Figueiredo is a straight-line puncher, while Garbrandt excels with hooks and keeping his head off the center line. He believes Garbrandt will make Figueiredo go first and time him with a devastating shot, citing Garbrandt's speed and momentum after recent wins.
Zane picks Figueiredo, reasoning that he is the biggest puncher Garbrandt has ever faced. He notes that Garbrandt is chinny and Figueiredo has 11 knockdowns at flyweight. Zane expects Figueiredo to be patient and not make reckless mistakes, while Garbrandt will likely back up to the cage and get hit. He predicts a stinky fight but a Figueiredo win.
Totals
| Fighter | KD | Sig. Str. | Sig. Str. % | Total Str. | TD | TD % | Sub. Att | Rev. | Ctrl |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Deiveson Figueiredo | 0 | 46 of 94 | 48% | 48 of 96 | 0 of 2 | 0% | 0 | 0 | 0:22 |
| Rob Font | 0 | 45 of 74 | 60% | 53 of 84 | 4 of 7 | 57% | 0 | 0 | 4:02 |
Per Round
| Rd | Fighter | KD | Sig. Str. | Sig. Str. % | Total Str. | TD | TD % | Sub. Att | Rev. | Ctrl |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Deiveson Figueiredo | 0 | 22 of 37 | 59% | 22 of 37 | 0 of 1 | 0% | 0 | 0 | 0:13 |
| Rob Font | 0 | 10 of 20 | 50% | 10 of 20 | 2 of 3 | 66% | 0 | 0 | 0:34 | |
| 2 | Deiveson Figueiredo | 0 | 15 of 33 | 45% | 17 of 35 | 0 of 0 | --- | 0 | 0 | 0:00 |
| Rob Font | 0 | 15 of 22 | 68% | 15 of 22 | 1 of 2 | 50% | 0 | 0 | 1:09 | |
| 3 | Deiveson Figueiredo | 0 | 9 of 24 | 37% | 9 of 24 | 0 of 1 | 0% | 0 | 0 | 0:09 |
| Rob Font | 0 | 20 of 32 | 62% | 28 of 42 | 1 of 2 | 50% | 0 | 0 | 2:19 |
Significant Strikes
| Fighter | Sig. Str. | Sig. Str. % | Head | Body | Leg | Distance | Clinch | Ground |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Deiveson Figueiredo | 46 of 94 | 48% | 39 of 85 | 5 of 6 | 2 of 3 | 44 of 92 | 2 of 2 | 0 of 0 |
| Rob Font | 45 of 74 | 60% | 35 of 64 | 7 of 7 | 3 of 3 | 33 of 60 | 6 of 7 | 6 of 7 |
Significant Strikes Per Round
| Rd | Fighter | Sig. Str. | Sig. Str. % | Head | Body | Leg | Distance | Clinch | Ground |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Deiveson Figueiredo | 22 of 37 | 59% | 20 of 34 | 2 of 3 | 0 of 0 | 22 of 37 | 0 of 0 | 0 of 0 |
| Rob Font | 10 of 20 | 50% | 7 of 17 | 1 of 1 | 2 of 2 | 10 of 20 | 0 of 0 | 0 of 0 | |
| 2 | Deiveson Figueiredo | 15 of 33 | 45% | 12 of 29 | 1 of 1 | 2 of 3 | 13 of 31 | 2 of 2 | 0 of 0 |
| Rob Font | 15 of 22 | 68% | 12 of 19 | 2 of 2 | 1 of 1 | 12 of 18 | 3 of 4 | 0 of 0 | |
| 3 | Deiveson Figueiredo | 9 of 24 | 37% | 7 of 22 | 2 of 2 | 0 of 0 | 9 of 24 | 0 of 0 | 0 of 0 |
| Rob Font | 20 of 32 | 62% | 16 of 28 | 4 of 4 | 0 of 0 | 11 of 22 | 3 of 3 | 6 of 7 |
Play-by-Play
View on SherdogBETTING PREVIEW | SCOUTING REPORT | ODDS: Font (-135), Figueiredo (+114)
Round 1
Business picks up with a bantamweight showcase pitting Font (20-7, 10-6 UFC) against Figueiredo (21-3-1, 10-3-1 UFC)—a two-time flyweight champion making the jump to 135 pounds. Figueiredo has not fought anyone other than archrival Brandon Moreno since November 2020.
For more on the Brazilian’s move to the bantamweight division, read “New Digs for Deiveson Figueiredo” from the aforementioned Stein
. Rexroad serves as the referee. Font moves to the center of the cage and stalks the Brazilian from range. He backs up Figueiredo with a clean one-two, shrugs off an attempted clinch and flicks out a few jabs. Figueiredo completes a takedown but cannot keep the New England Cartel rep down. Back on the feet, Font gets to work with his jab. Figueiredo lands an overhand right, ducks into takedown and again allows his opponent to get back to his feet. Font fires a long one-two and moves behind Figueiredo. He lifts the Brazilian off his feet but cannot finish the takedown. Round is still up in the air with a minute to go. Font counters with a right uppercut, and they trade jabs. Figueiredo staggers him with an overhand right but elects not to accelerate. He lures Font into a tie-up along the fence, stalls and then breaks into open space. Figueiredo looking more and more comfortable on the feet. They trad jabs at the close of the round.
Sherdog Scores
Brian Knapp scores the round: 10-9 Figueiredo
Tristen Critchfield scores the round: 10-9 Figueiredo
Tyler Treese scores the round: 10-9 Figueiredo
Round 2
Font gets busy with his jab but allows the Brazilian to close the distance and clinch along the fence. The action stalls briefly. Figueiredo lands a knee south of the equator, resulting in a brief pause. Font readjusts the jewels, and they resume their battle. Figueiredo connects with an uppercut and stays light on his feet. Font shuts off a takedown attempt, then walks into a clean right hand from the Brazilian. He pops Figueiredo with a leg kick and presses forward behind punches. Figueiredo ducks a punch and secures a takedown with two minutes left in the round. Font scrambles free, and they get back to business in the center of the cage. Figueiredo’s output has dwindled here. Font pounds home a jab, then follows with a leg kick. He circled out of a clinch from the Brazilian, marches forward and pumps out his jab. Figueiredo lands a clean two-punch volley and follows with a front kick up the middle.
Sherdog Scores
Brian Knapp scores the round: 10-9 Figueiredo
Tristen Critchfield scores the round: 10-9 Figueiredo
Tyler Treese scores the round: 10-9 Figueiredo
Round 3
Figueiredo moves forward behind a front kick, initiates a tie-up and works for a takedown. Font’s defense holds up. Figueiredo steps into a right hand, then another and engages the Massachusetts native in the clinch. Nothing materializes. Font connects with a right hook to the body. Both men landing in single shots. Figueiredo dazes his counterpart with a wicked left hook, pushes him backward, fires a knee to the body and delivers another left hook upstairs. Font answers with a multi-punch volley, mixes in a jab and whiffs on an elbow over the top. They trade jabs midway through Round 3. Figueiredo ducks into a single-leg and completes a key takedown. He climbs to full mount, drops elbows and hammerfists, maintains his position and gets warned for grabbing the fence. Font reclaims half guard but struggles to control the Brazilian’s posture. With 30 seconds to go, this is slipping away from Font. Figueiredo slides to side control, applies heavy pressure and bleeds the remaining time off the clock.
Sherdog Scores
Brian Knapp scores the round: 10-9 Figueiredo (30-27 Figueiredo)
Tristen Critchfield scores the round: 10-9 Figueiredo (30-27 Figueiredo)
Tyler Treese scores the round: 10-9 Figueiredo (30-27 Figueiredo)
The Official Result
Deiveson Figueiredo def. Rob Font—Unanimous Decision (30-27, 30-27, 30-27)
Big Brady picks Figueiredo as a dog, citing paths to victory via wrestling or landing big shots. He notes Font's poor takedown defense and get-up game, and thinks Figueiredo can mix in takedowns. He also thinks Figueiredo's power could be a factor, as Font gets rocked often. He predicts a decision win for Figueiredo.
Cody takes Figueiredo as an underdog. He cites Figueiredo's power, multiple paths to victory (knockdowns, takedowns), and Font's poor takedown defense as shown against Cory Sandhagen. He thinks Figueiredo can land bigger shots and mix in wrestling. He also notes Figueiredo moving up to 135 may help his cardio and power translation.
Lucrative James leans towards Rob Font, citing his size, reach, and experience against top bantamweights. He acknowledges Figueiredo's power and guillotine threat, and Font's questionable chin. However, he believes Font should be favored and may look to attack a prop rather than the moneyline due to volatility.
Figueiredo moves up to bantamweight and should carry power and strength. Font has been outgrappled and outdamaged in recent fights, with poor takedown defense and a tendency to lose rounds due to damage. Figueiredo's power and ability to land big shots could lead to a knockout, similar to Font's losses to Aldo and Vera. Font may win minutes, but Figueiredo will win moments and likely finish.
Paul sides slightly with Font based on volume. He thinks Font should box Figueiredo up and put up crazy volume over three rounds. He notes Figueiredo's power and Font's chinny history, but believes Font's volume will be enough. He says the line is accurate and he's not too confident.
The MMA Guru picks Rob Font by first-round KO, believing Figueiredo's power won't translate up a division and that Font's reach and jab will be decisive. He notes Figueiredo's defensive flaws and recent injuries. He predicts Font will catch Figueiredo early and put him away.
Expert Picks (6)
Angelo is very confident in Cory Sandhagen, citing his superior striking, footwork, and durability. He believes Figueiredo's improved cardio and wrestling at bantamweight will not be enough to overcome Sandhagen's skills. He expects Sandhagen to win eight out of ten times and would bet if the odds drop to -300 or better.
Big Brady is confident in Cory Sandhagen, citing a rough matchup for Figueiredo. He notes that Figueiredo is undersized at bantamweight, his power hasn't translated, and he struggles with volume. Sandhagen has a great chin, cardio, and volume advantage, and will outland Figueiredo significantly. Figueiredo relies on moments, but Sandhagen is durable and hard to take down. Brady expects Sandhagen to pick Figueiredo apart over five rounds.
Connor agrees with Zane, emphasizing that Sandhagen can beat Figueiredo in every phase, including on the ground. He highlights Sandhagen's calmness in grappling positions, similar to Yan's ability to stall Figueiredo's back takes. Connor notes that Figueiredo's power is real but his speed is declining, and Sandhagen's size and durability make him a tough target. He calls it a straightforward pick but expects a competitive fight.
This is a perfect stylistic matchup for Sandhagen. Figueiredo may grapple early but can't keep it up for more than two rounds. Sandhagen's output, cardio, volume, and grappling will allow him to win at least three of the last four rounds and win a decision.
The MMA Guru picks Cory Sandhagen to win by TKO in round four, possibly due to a doctor stoppage from swelling. He believes Sandhagen's range, footwork, and jab will frustrate Figueiredo, who struggles with taller opponents. He compares it to Moreno's performance but expects Sandhagen to do more damage. He notes that Sandhagen has a good chin and can survive knockdowns. He thinks the odds are crazy and Sandhagen should be a -250 favorite.
Zane sees Sandhagen as a steady, adaptable technician who can fight well wherever the fight goes. He notes that Figueiredo's low output and reliance on singular moments of offense won't work against Sandhagen over five rounds. Zane also points out that Sandhagen's size and calm grappling defense will neutralize Figueiredo's takedowns, similar to how Yan handled them. He acknowledges Figueiredo's power but believes Sandhagen's consistency and volume will carry him to a decision win.
Comments (2)
Fig not looking great in photos ballooned up. Ko 7 and sub 9 cory. Cory looked class in his last fight.
Late rounds props look +ev
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