by UFC Fight Night: Sandhagen vs. Figueiredo
Date = Saturday May 3rd
Location = Wells Fargo Arena in Des Moines Iowa
How to watch = ESPN+
Pick three on the undercard
Miesha Tate over Yana Santos
Marina Rodriguez over Gillian Robertson
Thomas Petersen over Don’Tale Mayes
Main Card Preview & Predictions
Jeremy Stephens vs Mason Jones
Preview – Stephens has been with the UFC since May of 07 at UFC 71. To say he has gotten the most out of his career would be an understatement as he has entered a cage an insane 51 times already. His once promising career has completely faded however as he has lost 7 of his last 8 fights and his last meaningful win in the UFC came all the way back in 2018 over Josh Emmett.
His opponent Mason Jones is 15-2-1 overall, but only 1-2-1 in the UFC and is desperate for a win over a big name in the world’s largest MMA promotion. He will have his chance here to retire Jeremy Stephens with a violent knockout of the wily veteran.
Prediction – Jones by 2nd KO
Cameron Smotherman vs Serhiy Sidey
Preview – Two relative unknowns looking to make a statement with the UFC. Cameron is 12-4 in his MMA career and 1-0 in the UFC. He has won his last three fights and they have all gone to the cards. As for Sidey, is 11-2 and 1-1 in the UFC. He is a relative unknown who likes to stand and trade.
Prediction – Smotherman by decision
Montel Jackson vs Daniel Marcos
Preview – Jackson is 9-2 in the UFC and on a 5-fight winning streak which has his fans excited. He has iron in his fists with 8 of his 14 career wins coming by violent knockout. Meanwhile Marcos is by far his toughest opponent to date as he comes in at 17-0-1 with 8 of those coming by knockout as well. This is easily the top candidate for fight of the night as both men seem to be skyrocketing towards main event status. This one could go several different ways but should be damn good.
Prediction – This will be an absolute banger and is easily my candidate for fight of the night. I see Marcos winning by decision to remain perfect.
Santiago Ponzinibbio vs Daniel Rodriguez
Preview – Daniel Rodriguez recently rebounded from a 3 fight losing streak with a narrow split decision victory over Alex Morono back in October. Ponzinibbio’s recent luck hasn’t been much better as he has lost 4 of his last fights. Both guys need a win here but with Ponzinibbio fighting since 2008, he may be on his last legs. I feel that Rodriguez is a little bit quicker with some more gas in the tank and that should be enough to get it done.
Prediction – Rodriguez by decision
Reinier de Ridder vs Bo Nickal
Preview – Bo Nickal set the MMA world afire by winning his first 6 fights by first round knockout. Fans were convinced he was the next big thing until Paul Craig made him look mortal at UFC 309 in November. Nickal squeaked out a 29-28 decision win, however I actually had him losing 29-28. Now, Nickal is tasting adversity for the first time in his MMA career.
At 19-2, Ridder is a legit challenger for Nickal, but only two of his wins came in the UFC so he too, has a lot still to prove. It may be a quick and violent end for Ridder if he doesn’t stay on his bike.
Prediction – Nickal by first round KO
THE MAIN EVENT OF THE EVENING
Cory Sandhagen vs Deiveson Figueiredo
Preview – Figueiredo is no stranger to the main event as he has fought and defeated some of the divisions best in Marlon Vera, Cody Garbrandt and Brandon Moreno. He showed in his trilogy against Moreno where he went 0-2-1 that he is suspectable to a choke or will stand in front of you long enough take a vicious beating. That trilogy was fresh off back to back wins over Jospeh Benavidez, so again, Figgy is no stranger to the big fights.
Sandhagen is trying to bounce back from losing 3 of his last 6 fights. He does own victories over names such as Frankie Edgar, Marlon Vera and Rob Font. This is a big moment for Sandhagen and one that he must take advantage of.
Prediction – Figueiredo by 3rd round submission.
