UFC Fight Night: In-Depth Prediction For Sandhagen Vs. Figueiredo

Henrik Larsen

5 min read

Post on May 04, 2025

4.3

Share

Cory Sandhagen's Strengths and Weaknesses

Cory Sandhagen is a dynamic force in the UFC's bantamweight division, known for his exciting and unpredictable fighting style. However, like all fighters, he has areas for improvement.

Striking Prowess

Sandhagen's striking is his most potent weapon. He's renowned for:

• Exceptional speed and accuracy: Sandhagen lands clean strikes with remarkable precision, often catching opponents off guard.
• Effective use of spinning attacks and kicks: His spinning back kicks and other creative strikes add unpredictability and power to his arsenal. This keeps opponents guessing and opens up opportunities for devastating combinations.
• High fight IQ and adaptability: Sandhagen is not just powerful; he's intelligent. He adapts his strategy based on his opponent's reactions, making him a difficult fighter to predict and counter.

Ground Game

While primarily a striker, Sandhagen's ground game is steadily improving:

• Solid takedown defense: Although not impenetrable, his takedown defense is generally effective, preventing opponents from taking him down easily.
• Developing submission skills: While not a submission specialist, he's actively developing his grappling, showcasing improved submission attempts in recent bouts.
• Room for improvement in ground control: This remains an area where Sandhagen can improve. While he can defend takedowns, his ground control needs further refinement to dominate opponents on the mat.

Recent Performances & Form

Sandhagen's recent performances have been a mix of successes and setbacks. His win against Song Yadong showcased his improved grappling and power, but his loss to Petr Yan highlighted a vulnerability to more experienced wrestlers. Analyzing these fights shows a fighter continually evolving but still working on his consistency.

Brandon Moreno's Strengths and Weaknesses

Brandon Moreno, the former UFC flyweight champion, is a well-rounded fighter with a dangerous skill set. His strengths lie in his striking, grappling, and his incredible heart.

Striking & Clinch Work

Moreno's striking is both powerful and precise:

• Powerful and precise punches: He delivers impactful strikes with accuracy, often setting up devastating combinations.
• Effective clinch control and knees: His clinch work is exceptional, allowing him to land damaging knees and control the pace of the fight.
• Strong in close-quarters combat: Moreno excels in tight spaces, utilizing his clinch game and knees to dominate opponents.

Grappling and Submissions

Moreno's grappling is where he truly shines, showcasing:

• Exceptional ground control and transition: He smoothly transitions between positions, maintaining control and creating submission opportunities.
• Dangerous submissions from various positions: Moreno is a master of submissions, with a vast repertoire of techniques.
• High submission rate: This is a testament to his grappling prowess and his ability to finish fights.

Recent Performances & Form

Moreno's recent form has been impressive. His victories over Kai Kara-France and Deiveson Figueiredo demonstrated his improved power and strategic prowess, solidifying his position as a top contender. His last fight showed a fighter at the peak of his skills.

Head-to-Head Matchup Analysis

This fight promises a fascinating clash of styles.

Striking Exchange Prediction

While Sandhagen possesses superior speed and creativity in his striking, Moreno's power and clinch work make for a closer-than-expected striking battle. Moreno's ability to control the clinch and land knees could be crucial in neutralizing Sandhagen's speed advantage.

Grappling Battle Prediction

Moreno likely has the edge in a grappling exchange due to his superior ground control and submission skills. However, Sandhagen's improved takedown defense might mitigate this advantage.

Key Factors Determining the Fight

The key factors will be Sandhagen's ability to avoid takedowns and land significant strikes, and Moreno's capacity to control the clinch and capitalize on any grappling opportunities. A knockout or a submission are very real possibilities.

Betting Odds and Potential Upsets

[Insert current betting odds from reputable sources here. Example: Sandhagen -130, Moreno +110].

An upset is certainly possible. If Sandhagen manages to keep the fight standing and consistently land his signature spinning attacks, he could secure a victory. However, Moreno's grappling mastery makes him the favorite in most analysts' eyes.

Conclusion

This UFC Fight Night main event between Cory Sandhagen and Brandon Moreno is a highly competitive matchup. While Sandhagen boasts impressive striking and improving grappling, Moreno's well-rounded game, particularly his submission skills, give him a slight edge. While Sandhagen’s speed and creativity could cause problems, Moreno's control and finishing ability ultimately make him the more likely winner. This is a fight that could easily go either way, highlighting the excitement of this UFC Fight Night.

Prediction: Brandon Moreno is predicted to win this fight by either submission or decision.

Call to Action: Who do YOU think will win the UFC Fight Night: Sandhagen vs. Figueiredo fight? Share your predictions in the comments below! Let's discuss this exciting UFC Fight Night matchup and your analysis of Sandhagen vs. Figueiredo.