On Saturday, May 3, 2025, the UFC made a highly anticipated return to Iowa, hosting UFC Fight Night: Sandhagen vs. Figueiredo at the Wells Fargo Arena in Des Moines. This event marked the first time the UFC held a fight in Iowa since 2000, and it was an electrifying night for mixed martial arts fans as they witnessed a series of thrilling matchups.
The main event showcased a critical bantamweight clash between Cory "The Sandman" Sandhagen and Deiveson "Deus da Guerra" Figueiredo. Sandhagen, who entered the octagon with a professional record of 17 wins and 5 losses, was eager to bounce back after a unanimous decision defeat to Umar Nurmagomedov in his previous outing. Meanwhile, Figueiredo, a former two-time UFC Flyweight champion with a record of 24 wins, 4 losses, and 1 draw, was looking to regain momentum after a unanimous decision loss to Petr Yan in November 2024.
The stakes were high for both fighters, as Sandhagen was ranked 4th and Figueiredo 5th in the bantamweight division. The fight promised to shake up the title race, and fans were buzzing with excitement as the main card began at 10 p.m. ET, following the preliminary bouts that kicked off at 7 p.m. ET.
As the main event unfolded, the action was intense. In the second round, Sandhagen capitalized on an apparent injury to Figueiredo, who seemed to hurt his knee during an exchange. Taking advantage of the situation, Sandhagen unleashed a flurry of hammer fists, securing a TKO victory at 3:50 of the round. This win not only marked a significant comeback for Sandhagen but also solidified his position as a top contender in the bantamweight division.
In the co-main event, undefeated middleweight prospect Bo Nickal faced off against Reinier de Ridder. This matchup was highly anticipated due to both fighters' grappling backgrounds. De Ridder put on a striking display, utilizing body shots effectively to earn a TKO victory over Nickal, handing the latter his first loss in professional MMA.
Other notable fights on the main card included Santiago Ponzinibbio against Daniel Rodriguez, where Rodriguez emerged victorious with a TKO in the third round. Montel Jackson faced Daniel Marcos, and Jackson's performance led him to become the first fighter to defeat Marcos, winning by unanimous decision. In another bantamweight bout, Cameron Smotherman took on Serhiy Sidey, with Sidey winning via unanimous decision.
Jeremy Stephens, a Des Moines native, made his long-awaited return to the octagon after a two-year hiatus, facing Mason Jones. Unfortunately for Stephens, Jones spoiled his homecoming, winning by unanimous decision. Yana Santos faced former UFC champion Miesha Tate in a women's bantamweight bout, and Santos secured a unanimous decision victory, showcasing her skills against the veteran.
In the preliminary fights, Azamat Bekoev delivered a stunning TKO performance against Ryan Loder, while Marina Rodriguez announced her retirement following a TKO loss to Gillian Robertson. Additionally, Quang Le earned a submission victory over Gaston Bolanos, and Thomas Petersen defeated Don'Tale Mayes by unanimous decision.
Overall, UFC Fight Night: Sandhagen vs. Figueiredo provided a night filled with excitement and drama, as the fighters delivered thrilling performances that kept fans on the edge of their seats. With Sandhagen's impressive win, the bantamweight title picture becomes even more intriguing, and the UFC's return to Iowa is sure to leave a lasting impression on the local fight community.
