Cory Sandhagen is determined to move past his status as a perennial contender who hasn`t quite reached the summit.

His four losses in the UFC bantamweight division have come against elite opponents: Aljamain Sterling, T.J. Dillashaw, Petr Yan, and Umar Nurmagomedov. Notably, all four fighters received title shots immediately following their victories over Sandhagen. This pattern underscores Sandhagen`s high rank among the division`s best, arguably top five or six worldwide, but highlights his struggle to secure his own championship opportunity.

Considerable pressure mounts on Sandhagen as he headlines Saturday`s UFC Des Moines event, facing two-time flyweight champion Deiveson Figueiredo. Figueiredo has proven successful since moving up to 135 pounds, winning his first three fights before a decision loss to Yan. While Sandhagen possesses a significant size advantage, Figueiredo remains a formidable obstacle. A defeat here could severely impact Sandhagen`s path towards a title challenge.

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Event Details

What: UFC Des Moines

Where: Wells Fargo Arena in Des Moines, Iowa.

When: Saturday, May 3. The preliminary card featuring six fights begins at 7 p.m. ET on ESPN2 and ESPN+, followed by the six-fight main card at 10 p.m. ET, also on ESPN2 and ESPN+.

Main Card Previews and Predictions

Cory Sandhagen vs. Deiveson Figueiredo

The storyline of Cory Sandhagen as a top contender striving for a title shot continues. I anticipate “The Sandman” will earn the victory in this bout, keeping him squarely in the championship picture. He appears to match up very well against Deiveson Figueiredo, benefiting from a notable size advantage. Sandhagen is well-equipped to handle Figueiredo in striking exchanges and possesses the necessary takedown defense to thwart Figueiredo`s wrestling attempts.

Nevertheless, potential risks exist for Sandhagen. Figueiredo`s power has carried up to the bantamweight division, meaning a knockout is an outside possibility, though unlikely. Figueiredo is also a highly versatile fighter, as seen in his compelling series of fights against Brandon Moreno.

Sandhagen is favored for strong reasons beyond just his high-level striking. He could potentially take an offensive wrestling approach, utilizing his size to control and wear down Figueiredo on the canvas. There`s a clear and achievable strategy for Sandhagen to secure the win if he sticks to the plan.

Prediction: Sandhagen by decision.

Bo Nickal vs. Reinier de Ridder

This particular matchup has the potential for unexpected developments. I was initially interested in this fight and remain so upon closer examination. Bo Nickal managed to defeat Paul Craig, representing a significant step up in competition, though the fight wasn`t overly exciting and raised questions about the best approach for his development. Reinier de Ridder, a former two-division champion from ONE Championship, is Nickal`s eighth professional opponent and is capable of presenting substantial challenges.

Bo Nickal is widely regarded as one of the most exceptional athletes in the sport today, which gives him an advantage against most middleweight opponents. This includes de Ridder, who is a skilled grappler and a smart fighter. Theoretically, Nickal, a three-time national wrestling champion, should be able to secure takedowns against de Ridder. The question is whether he will leverage this dominant skill.

Engaging a submission expert like de Ridder on the ground may not be the safest strategy. However, for Nickal to regain momentum and showcase his potential, utilizing his wrestling—a discipline he excels at arguably more than anyone else—would be beneficial. Mixing in striking is fine, but a strong display of wrestling feels necessary this time around.

I am prepared for any outcome in this bout: a slow-paced, strategic middleweight contest; Nickal overwhelming de Ridder with dominance; or de Ridder cleverly catching Nickal in a submission. Regardless, the dynamic is intriguing.

Prediction: Nickal.

Santiago Ponzinibbio vs. Daniel Rodriguez

This fight represents sensible matchmaking for experienced veterans. Both Santiago Ponzinibbio and Daniel Rodriguez turned 38 late last year. It is preferable to see them compete against each other rather than being positioned against the division`s rising stars. Their careers and efforts deserve this level of respect.

Conveniently, both fighters primarily look to stand and trade strikes, making this a perfectly suited matchup. They bring similar kickboxing styles to the octagon, which should result in a competitive and technically sound three-round striking battle. Following the exciting fight between Randy Brown and Nicolas Dalby recently, Ponzinibbio and Rodriguez could deliver similar entertainment, potentially without a sudden finish.

While it might be harsh, my assessment is that Rodriguez has shown more signs of decline in recent years compared to Ponzinibbio, despite having less overall fight experience. Neither fighter is known for an incredibly high output, but Ponzinibbio`s more varied offensive game seems to have aged somewhat better.

Prediction: Ponzinibbio by decision.

Montel Jackson vs. Daniel Marcos

It`s fair to wonder how much further Montel Jackson`s career would have progressed if he fought more frequently than just once a year. “Quik” is currently on a five-fight winning streak, one of the longest active streaks in the bantamweight division, yet his inactivity (fighting only once in 2022, 2023, and 2024) makes this less apparent. He is a genuinely good fighter, making his 2025 debut in this bout.

Given the fast-moving nature of the bantamweight ranks, it wouldn`t be surprising if a fighter with less UFC experience, such as his opponent Daniel Marcos, surpassed him in notoriety or future opportunities. Marcos is a skilled striker with serious knockout power, particularly in his right hand, capable of finishing the fight rapidly if Jackson makes a mistake. However, Jackson holds advantages in size, speed, and has faced a higher caliber of opposition throughout his career.

Marcos remains undefeated, but he has faced difficult moments in recent fights where he managed to escape with a win. He is unlikely to be as fortunate against Jackson, who I expect will connect with Marcos` chin and secure a finish within the first or second round.

Prediction: Jackson by knockout/TKO.

Cameron Smotherman vs. Serhiy Sidey

While I admire the depth of the men`s bantamweight division, I questioned the placement of this fight on the main card due to the relatively low recognition of Cameron Smotherman and Serhiy Sidey among casual fans.

Alternative bouts, such as former women`s bantamweight champion Miesha Tate vs. Yana Santos, or ranked strawweights Marina Rodriguez vs. Gillian Robertson, or even a heavyweight clash like Thomas Petersen vs. Don`Tale Mayes (which fits the common criteria for heavyweight main card inclusion), might have seemed more likely candidates. The decision to place this fight suggests the UFC anticipates an exciting, potentially “Fight of the Night” performance.

Smotherman has strong boxing skills, and while his overall mixed martial arts game requires development, his entertaining boxing style should help him maintain a place in the 135-pound division for the next few years. Sidey is also primarily a striker who uses his grappling defensively, and he is expected to engage Smotherman in a stand-up fight.

Smotherman has faced challenges with consistency, but I believe his potential is high, and the best version of him is capable of winning this striking contest. I am predicting a minor upset victory for Smotherman.

Prediction: Smotherman.

Jeremy Stephens vs. Mason Jones

While Smotherman and Sidey could potentially deliver an exciting bout, Jeremy Stephens vs. Mason Jones is arguably the favorite to win “Fight of the Night.”

Stephens, a native of Des Moines, couldn`t pass up the opportunity to compete in his hometown despite his recent success in bare-knuckle boxing. The UFC provided him a prominent spot on the card for his return. He is matched against Mason Jones, who is also making a UFC comeback after an impressive 4-0 run in Cage Warriors.

If your lasting memory of Jones` initial UFC tenure is his thrilling debut against Mike Davis, you`ll be glad to know his aggressive mentality remains unchanged. While he possesses technical skill, Jones ultimately thrives in a “scrap” and is guaranteed to meet Stephens in the center of the octagon to exchange heavy blows.

While a grueling three-round war is possible, with both fighters known for their durability, I actually foresee Stephens defying expectations and securing a vintage knockout victory. The energy of competing in Iowa could re-energize “Lil` Heathen” and propel him to a win in what might be his final appearance in the UFC.

Prediction: Stephens by knockout/TKO.