The #4 and #5-ranked UFC bantamweights will headline the promotion’s return to Des Moines, Iowa later this year.
Cory Sandhagen (17-5) will face Deiveson Figueiredo (24-4-1) in the main event of UFC Des Moines on May 3, 2025 in a key fight for the 135lb division. Former flyweight champ Figueiredo confirmed the booking on social media following an initial report by journalist Leonardo Guimarães.
Sandhagen, who sits in the number four spot in the weight class, will be looking to rebound from a loss to Umar Nurmagomedov in his last outing. Prior to that, he’d put together a three-fight win streak, notching victories over Rob Font, Chito Vera, and Song Yadong (who coincidentally headlines UFC Seattle this weekend).
Having fought four UFC champions to date, Cory Sandhagen has gone 1-3 against them. The lone win came against Frankie Edgar, a flying knee KO that sent “The Answer” into a slump that led to his retirement. He’s suffered losses to Aljamain Sterling, Petr Yan, and T.J. Dillashaw.
Deiveson Figueiredo has found new life at bantamweight after holding gold at 125lbs and fighting in a spirited four-fight rivalry with Brandon Moreno. He went on his own three-fight win streak after arriving in the weight class, which was halted when he ran into Petr Yan last time out.
As it stands, UFC Des Moines is set for the Wells Fargo Arena on May 3 with the following match-ups reported thus far:
- Deiveson Figueiredo vs. Cory Sandhagen
- Marina Rodriguez vs. Gillian Robertson
- Trevor Peek vs. Lee Jeong-yeong
- Cameron Smotherman vs. Serhiy Sidey
- Santiago Ponzinibbio vs. Daniel Rodriguez
- Miesha Tate vs. Yana Santos
