UFC Fight Night Predictions: Cory Sandhagen Vs. Deiveson Figueiredo - Who Wins?

Viktoria Ivanova

4 min read

Post on May 04, 2025

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Cory Sandhagen's Strengths and Weaknesses

Sandhagen's Striking Prowess

Cory Sandhagen possesses exceptional striking prowess, a key element in his MMA game. His striking is characterized by:

• Exceptional Accuracy: Sandhagen consistently lands significant strikes, demonstrating pinpoint accuracy even in the midst of chaotic exchanges.
• Lightning-Fast Speed: His speed allows him to land strikes before opponents can react, often catching them off guard.
• Diverse Technique: He utilizes a wide array of techniques, including powerful punches, devastating kicks (especially his spinning back kicks), and effective combinations.

Sandhagen's spinning back kick knockouts have become almost legendary, showcasing his power and precision. His fights against Marlon Moraes and Frankie Edgar clearly demonstrate his superior striking ability and knockout power. His Sandhagen striking is a force to be reckoned with.

Sandhagen's Grappling Game

While primarily a striker, Sandhagen's grappling game is not to be underestimated. He possesses:

• Solid Takedown Defense: He's shown a capability to defend takedowns, preventing opponents from taking him down and controlling the fight on the ground.
• Developing Submission Skills: While not his primary weapon, he shows promise in his submission game, suggesting further development in this area.

However, his grappling is less developed than his striking. He's more effective in preventing takedowns than initiating them offensively. His reliance on striking means his Sandhagen grappling could be exploited by a superior grappler.

Sandhagen's Potential Weaknesses

Despite his obvious strengths, Sandhagen does exhibit some vulnerabilities:

• Defensive Gaps: While his takedown defense is improving, a truly elite wrestler might be able to take him down and control the fight on the mat.
• Susceptibility to Power Punches: Although elusive, a single powerful punch could potentially end the fight. This highlights a potential vulnerability despite his impressive defensive skills.

Deiveson Figueiredo's Strengths and Weaknesses

Figueiredo's Explosive Power

Deiveson Figueiredo is renowned for his devastating knockout power. He's a true knockout artist with:

• One-Punch KO Potential: He possesses the ability to end a fight with a single, perfectly timed strike.
• Brutal Ground and Pound: When he secures a takedown, his ground and pound is incredibly effective, often leading to a stoppage.

His explosive power has been the deciding factor in many of his victories. He's a constant threat to finish any fight at any moment due to his Figueiredo power.

Figueiredo's Ground Game

Figueiredo is a well-rounded fighter with a dangerous ground game featuring:

• High-Level Submissions: He boasts a strong submission arsenal and a keen understanding of ground fighting.
• Effective Ground Control: He's skilled at controlling opponents on the mat, making it difficult for them to escape his attacks.

His victories often highlight his superior grappling and submission skills. His Figueiredo grappling is a crucial part of his overall MMA strategy.

Figueiredo's Potential Weaknesses

Despite his explosive power and grappling skills, Figueiredo does have some weaknesses:

• Stamina Concerns: In some of his later rounds, he has shown signs of fatigue, potentially affecting his performance.
• Defensive Vulnerabilities: His aggressive style, while highly effective, can leave him open to counterattacks.

Style Matchup and Predicted Outcome

The style matchup between Sandhagen and Figueiredo presents a fascinating clash of styles. Sandhagen's speed and striking accuracy will need to overcome Figueiredo's devastating power and grappling skills. Can Sandhagen maintain distance and avoid Figueiredo's explosive power shots? Can Figueiredo secure takedowns against Sandhagen's improving takedown defense?

The fight hinges on Figueiredo's ability to secure an early takedown and capitalize on his ground game. If Sandhagen can maintain distance and keep the fight standing, his superior striking could give him the edge. However, one miscalculation or a perfectly timed strike from Figueiredo could change everything.

Prediction: While Sandhagen possesses superior striking, Figueiredo’s knockout power and grappling make him a dangerous opponent. We predict that Deiveson Figueiredo will win via KO/TKO in the second or third round.

Conclusion

Cory Sandhagen’s strengths lie in his precise striking and improving takedown defense, while Deiveson Figueiredo’s power and grappling skills are undeniable. However, Figueiredo's potential stamina issues and defensive vulnerabilities give Sandhagen a fighting chance.

Our prediction remains that Deiveson Figueiredo will win this UFC Fight Night clash, but this is a highly competitive matchup with the potential for an upset.

Share your UFC Fight Night Predictions in the comments below! What do you think will happen? And don't forget to check out our other UFC fight predictions on the site!