UFC bantamweight Cory Sandhagen gets a big time matchup against former flyweight champion Deiveson Figueiredo at UFC Des Moines this Saturday night.
Sandhagen (17-5) seems rather excited to take on a guy that other fighters enjoy watching. Doesn’t hurt that he’s also a former title holder.
“Figueiredo is a really game guy. I think that he’s like a fighter’s fighter which is I really dig,” Sandhagen told reporters including Cageside Press on Wednesday.
“He’s tough. I always described it, even before we were matched up to fight, as like what Figueiredo does doesn’t really make sense, but it somehow works. Those are sometimes the most dangerous guys.”
Figuiredo is indeed one of the most dangerous fighters on the UFC roster. Of his 13 UFC victories 8 came by finish and only 5 reached the judges scored cards.
“He’s a guy that’s going to hunt for a knockout and he’s going to hunt for a submission the whole time. Those are his paths to victory. I’m very good at not letting either one of those things happen. I’m better than ever right now,” he said.
“I’ve never felt like I have the actual skills to be a champion more than I do right now. Saturday night I’m super pumped to put on the best performance of my life.”
Earlier during media day Figueiredo had commented on Sandhagen’s funny skits online. The Brazilian basically said that his funny side is gone, and only wants blood in the octagon on Saturday night.
Sandhagen was very visibly excited hearing that.
“Hell yeah, let’s do it! One of my favorite parts of fighting is that I get to be violent as f*ck and it’s allowed,” he said.
With a win over Figueiredo and some mic time after the fight Sandhagen plans to call for his shot at the belt.
“Win this fight, win it impressively, ask for my title shot, and then hopefully land in a little bit of luck. Be the guy that fights for the belt next,” he said.
Watch the entire media day scrum with Cory Sandhagen above. He takes on Deiveson Figueiredo in the main event of UFC Des Moines on Saturday night.
