Predicting The Winner: UFC Fight Night – Sandhagen Vs. Figueiredo

Henrik Larsen

6 min read

Post on May 04, 2025

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Cory Sandhagen's Strengths and Weaknesses

Strengths:

Cory "The Sandman" Sandhagen is a whirlwind of striking prowess. His strengths lie primarily in his:

• Exceptional striking precision and power: Sandhagen consistently lands significant strikes with both power and accuracy. His knockout power is undeniable, evident in many of his past victories. He utilizes a potent mix of kicks, punches, and elbows, often catching opponents off guard.
• Impressive speed and agility; excellent movement: His footwork is exceptional, allowing him to evade strikes and create angles for his own attacks. He displays a remarkable ability to maintain distance and control the pace of the fight.
• Highly versatile striking game; uses a variety of techniques: Sandhagen isn't predictable. He seamlessly transitions between different striking techniques, keeping opponents guessing. Spinning attacks, flying knees, and unorthodox combinations are all part of his arsenal.
• Dangerous spinning attacks and unorthodox striking combinations: His highlight reel is filled with stunning spinning back kicks and other acrobatic strikes that have ended fights abruptly. This unpredictability is a significant advantage.
• Improved takedown defense in recent fights: While grappling was once a perceived weakness, Sandhagen has demonstrably improved his takedown defense in recent bouts, showcasing better sprawl and awareness.

Weaknesses:

Despite his impressive striking, Sandhagen still has some vulnerabilities:

• Can be susceptible to grappling pressure from elite wrestlers: While his takedown defense has improved, elite-level wrestlers with strong takedown abilities can still pose a serious threat. If taken down, his ground game needs to be significantly more developed.
• Ground game could be exploited by superior grapplers: His submission defense needs work and he's shown vulnerability on the ground against fighters with superior grappling skills. This is a key area to watch against Moreno.
• Sometimes relies too much on flashy techniques, leaving openings: While his flashy techniques are effective, occasionally he becomes overly reliant on them, leaving himself open to counters. A more measured approach could be beneficial.
• Historically, has struggled against powerful wrestlers: His past fights against dominant wrestlers highlight this weakness, showing the potential for a wrestling-heavy fighter to neutralize his striking advantages.
• Example: His loss to Aljamain Sterling demonstrates the challenges he faces against wrestlers who can effectively control the fight on the ground.

Brandon Moreno's Strengths and Weaknesses

Strengths:

Brandon "The Assassin Baby" Moreno is the former UFC Flyweight Champion, and his strengths are evident:

• Undisputed flyweight champion, showcasing elite-level grappling: Moreno's grappling is world-class. His ability to take opponents down, control them on the ground, and secure submissions is a major asset. He's a submission specialist.
• Extremely effective ground control and submission skills: Moreno excels at securing dominant positions on the ground, from which he can control the fight and look for submissions. His rear-naked choke is particularly dangerous.
• Excellent cardio and stamina, maintaining a high pace throughout fights: Moreno consistently maintains a high pace and intensity throughout his fights, rarely tiring. This endurance is crucial in five-round fights.
• Improved striking accuracy and power compared to earlier in his career: While his grappling is his primary strength, Moreno's striking has noticeably improved, becoming a more potent threat.
• Strong mental game; proven ability to come back from adversity: He's shown resilience and the ability to adapt his game plan in tough situations, demonstrating strong mental fortitude.

Weaknesses:

Even a champion like Moreno has weaknesses:

• Striking defense could be exploited by a superior striker like Sandhagen: While his striking has improved, he is still vulnerable to more technically proficient and powerful strikers like Sandhagen.
• Can be susceptible to quick, powerful counters: His aggressive style sometimes leaves him open to quick counters from opponents who can capitalize on his openings.
• Historically, he's struggled against truly elite strikers: His past fights against superior strikers reveal a vulnerability to powerful, accurate striking.
• May lack the same level of striking versatility as Sandhagen: Moreno's striking arsenal, though improved, may not be as diverse or unpredictable as Sandhagen's.
• Example: Certain fights against Deiveson Figueiredo showcase his struggles against powerful striking.

Style Matchup and Potential Fight Scenarios

This UFC Fight Night presents a fascinating stylistic matchup. Sandhagen's superior striking will be tested against Moreno's elite grappling and improved striking. The fight could unfold in several ways:

• Striking Battle: If Sandhagen can keep the fight standing, he has a significant advantage due to his speed, precision, and power.
• Grappling Match: If Moreno can take Sandhagen down and maintain control on the ground, he can dictate the pace and look for submissions.
• Mixed Approach: Most likely, the fight will involve both striking and grappling exchanges. The fighter who can effectively transition between the two will likely gain the upper hand.

Key moments will include Sandhagen's takedown defense and Moreno's ability to effectively close the distance and land takedowns. The fighter who can consistently dictate the terms of engagement will likely win. Previous fights with similar style matchups—a powerful striker versus a skilled grappler—often highlight the importance of effective takedown defense and the ability to capitalize on opportunities.

Betting Odds and Predictions

At the time of writing, the betting odds favor [Insert Current Betting Odds from a reputable source]. However, these odds do not fully capture the dynamic nature of this fight. While Moreno's grappling is exceptional, Sandhagen's improved takedown defense and superior striking could prove decisive.

Considering the analysis of their strengths and weaknesses and the potential fight scenarios, our prediction is for Cory Sandhagen to win this fight. His striking advantage, combined with improved takedown defense, gives him the edge in a likely stand-up fight. However, an upset is always possible, particularly if Moreno can effectively secure early takedowns and control the ground game.

Conclusion

This UFC Fight Night: Sandhagen vs. Figueiredo promises an exciting clash of styles. Cory Sandhagen's powerful and versatile striking presents a significant challenge to Brandon Moreno's elite grappling skills and improved striking. Our analysis suggests that Sandhagen's improved takedown defense and superior striking give him the edge, making him our predicted winner. However, the fight's outcome hinges on key moments and the ability of each fighter to neutralize their opponent's strengths.

Who do you think will win the UFC Fight Night: Sandhagen vs. Figueiredo? Share your predictions in the comments below! Let's discuss the upcoming UFC Fight Night and see who reigns supreme! Share your thoughts and predictions on social media using #SandhagenFigueiredo #UFCFightNight.