UFC Fight Night: Sandhagen Vs. Figueiredo - Complete Preview & Predictions

Hugo van Dijk

5 min read

Post on May 04, 2025

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Cory Sandhagen: A Deep Dive into the "Sandman's" Strengths and Weaknesses

Cory Sandhagen, nicknamed "The Sandman," brings a dynamic and exciting style to the octagon. His path to victory hinges on several key aspects of his game.

Sandhagen's Striking Prowess

Sandhagen possesses elite-level striking skills. His style is characterized by:

• Precision striking: Sandhagen is known for his pinpoint accuracy and calculated strikes, often targeting the head and body with devastating combinations.
• Lightning-fast footwork: His exceptional footwork allows him to effectively evade attacks while simultaneously setting up his own powerful strikes.
• Knockout power: While not a one-punch knockout artist, Sandhagen has secured impressive knockout victories throughout his career, showcasing his ability to deliver fight-ending blows. Examples include his wins over Frankie Edgar and Song Yadong.

However, Sandhagen's striking isn't without potential weaknesses. He can sometimes be susceptible to counter-attacks if he overextends himself, and a more powerful striker could potentially overwhelm him.

Sandhagen's Grappling and Ground Game

While primarily a striker, Sandhagen's grappling is steadily improving. He possesses:

• Solid takedown defense: He has shown the ability to defend takedowns effectively, preventing opponents from controlling the fight on the ground.
• Opportunistic submissions: Though not a submission specialist, he’s shown the ability to capitalize on grappling opportunities with submissions when they present themselves.

His grappling, however, remains a secondary aspect of his game, and a strong wrestler could potentially pose a threat by taking him down and controlling the fight on the mat.

Sandhagen's Recent Form and Performance Trends

Sandhagen enters this fight with a mixed bag of recent results. While he's shown moments of brilliance, inconsistency has been a factor.

• Wins: Impressive victories against high-level opponents highlight his potential.
• Losses: Setbacks against top contenders showcase areas for improvement.
• Key Stats: Examining his significant strikes landed and takedown defense percentage provides a clearer picture of his strengths and weaknesses.

Any lingering effects from past injuries should also be considered when evaluating his current form.

Brandon Moreno: The "Assassin Baby" and His Path to Victory

Brandon Moreno, the "Assassin Baby," is a former UFC flyweight champion known for his relentless pressure and devastating ground game. His path to victory rests on leveraging these strengths.

Moreno's Dominating Ground Game

Moreno's grappling is his most potent weapon:

• Submission expertise: His submission skills are world-class, with a high percentage of submission victories showcasing his mastery of various grappling techniques.
• Ground control mastery: He's adept at controlling his opponents on the ground, preventing escapes and inflicting significant damage.
• High takedown success rate: He consistently secures takedowns, setting up his ground-and-pound and submission attempts.

Despite his dominance on the mat, a highly skilled wrestler with strong takedown defense could potentially neutralize his ground game.

Moreno's Striking and Counter-Striking Abilities

While his grappling is his primary strength, Moreno's striking shouldn't be underestimated:

• Effective counter-striking: He expertly uses his opponents' attacks against them, landing powerful counter-strikes.
• Precise striking combinations: He delivers accurate striking combinations, setting up takedowns or creating openings for further strikes.
• Knockdown power: While not a knockout artist in the same vein as Sandhagen, he has the power to drop opponents with well-placed strikes.

However, Moreno’s striking defense could be exploited by a superior striker with superior speed and power.

Moreno's Championship Experience and Mental Fortitude

Moreno’s experience as a former champion is a significant advantage:

• Championship fight experience: He's been in the biggest fights, facing immense pressure and delivering under duress.
• Resilience: His ability to bounce back from setbacks speaks volumes about his mental toughness.
• Mental strength: His mental fortitude will be crucial against a dangerous opponent like Sandhagen.

This experience should give him a significant edge in a high-stakes fight like this.

Fight Breakdown and Prediction

Style Matchup Analysis

This fight presents a fascinating stylistic clash. Sandhagen's dynamic striking against Moreno's dominant grappling creates an intriguing matchup. Sandhagen's success hinges on avoiding takedowns and landing impactful strikes, while Moreno's depends on taking the fight to the ground and controlling the pace.

Moreno's ability to exploit Sandhagen's potential weaknesses in grappling will be critical, as will Sandhagen's ability to stuff takedowns and land significant strikes.

Key Factors Determining the Outcome

Several key factors will determine the outcome:

• Sandhagen's takedown defense: His ability to prevent takedowns is paramount to his success.
• Moreno's striking accuracy: His ability to land significant strikes while avoiding Sandhagen’s power punches is crucial.
• Cage control: Whichever fighter can effectively control the cage and dictate the pace will have a significant advantage.

Prediction and Justification

This is a closely contested fight with no clear-cut winner. However, based on Moreno's superior grappling and championship experience, and Sandhagen's potential vulnerability on the ground, I predict that Brandon Moreno will win via unanimous decision. Moreno’s ability to secure takedowns and control the pace on the ground will ultimately wear down Sandhagen, leading to a victory for the former champion.

Conclusion

UFC Fight Night: Sandhagen vs. Figueiredo promises to be a thrilling contest between two exceptional fighters. Sandhagen’s dynamic striking versus Moreno’s relentless grappling presents a compelling matchup. While Sandhagen possesses devastating striking power and impressive footwork, Moreno's superior grappling and championship experience give him a significant edge. The key factors determining the winner will be Sandhagen’s takedown defense, Moreno’s striking accuracy, and overall cage control. Don't miss the electrifying clash at UFC Fight Night: Sandhagen vs. Figueiredo! Tune in and let us know your predictions in the comments below! Use #UFCSandhagenFigueiredo and #UFCFightNight to share your thoughts.