Cory Sandhagen def. Deiveson Figueiredo via TKO (R2, 4:08)
Reinier de Ridder def. Bo Nickal via second-round TKO (1:53)
Daniel Rodriguez def. Santiago Ponzinibbio via third-round TKO (1:12)
Montel Jackson def. Daniel Marcos via unanimous decision (30-27 x3)
Serhiy Sidey def. Cameron Smotherman via unanimous decision (30-27, 29-28 x2)
Mason Jones def. Jeremy Stephens via unanimous decision (30-27 x3)
Yana Santos def. Miesha Tate via unanimous decision (29-28 x3)
Azamat Bekoev def. Ryan Loder via first-round TKO (2:44)
Gillian Robertson def. Marina Rodriguez via second-round TKO (2:07)
Quang Le def. Gaston Bolanos via submission (RNC) (R2, 1:54)
Thomas Petersen def. Don’Tale Mayes via unanimous decision (30-25, 30-26 x2)
Juliana Miller def. Ivana Petrovic via unanimous decision (29-28 x3)
On May 3, 2025, the Wells Fargo Arena in Des Moines, Iowa, welcomed UFC Fight Night: Sandhagen vs. Figueiredo, the UFC’s first event in the city and its first in Iowa in 25 years. The main event pitted No. 4-ranked bantamweight Cory Sandhagen against No. 5-ranked Deiveson Figueiredo in a critical 135-pound showdown. The card delivered explosive finishes, unexpected outcomes, and breakout performances, with Sandhagen stealing the spotlight. Below is a comprehensive recap of the results and highlights from UFC Des Moines.
Main Event: Cory Sandhagen vs. Deiveson Figueiredo
Result: Cory Sandhagen def. Deiveson Figueiredo via TKO (knee injury) at 4:08 of Round 2
The main event featured a clash of styles between Cory Sandhagen, a versatile striker with sharp grappling, and Deiveson Figueiredo, a former flyweight champion known for his power and submission skills. Sandhagen sought to recover from a decision loss to Umar Nurmagomedov in August 2024, while Figueiredo aimed to bounce back after dropping a decision to Petr Yan in November 2024.
Sandhagen controlled the first round with crisp striking, using his reach to pepper Figueiredo with jabs and kicks while thwarting submission attempts. His ability to mix in takedowns and ground strikes kept Figueiredo on the defensive. In the second round, a grappling exchange turned the tide. As Figueiredo targeted a leg lock, Sandhagen scrambled to top position. During the transition, Figueiredo’s left knee appeared to buckle, possibly from the entanglement. Unable to continue, Figueiredo tapped out in pain at 4:08, prompting referee Dan Miragliotta to stop the fight.
Sandhagen’s dominant display earned him a $50,000 Performance of the Night bonus and strengthened his case for a title shot against the winner of the UFC 316 rematch between champion Merab Dvalishvili and Sean O’Malley. Post-fight, Sandhagen highlighted his strategic approach, noting he felt Figueiredo’s knee give way during the scramble. Figueiredo, despite the setback, remained optimistic, vowing to return after recovery. At 37, his future in the bantamweight elite remains uncertain.
Co-Main Event: Reinier de Ridder vs. Bo Nickal
Result: Reinier de Ridder def. Bo Nickal via TKO (knees) at 1:53 of Round 2
The co-main event saw a stunning upset as Reinier de Ridder defeated hyped middleweight prospect Bo Nickal, handing him his first professional loss. Nickal, a decorated collegiate wrestler, entered as a heavy favorite, but de Ridder, a former two-division ONE Championship titleholder, showcased superior grappling and striking.
De Ridder dominated the first round with precise judo and jiu-jitsu, neutralizing Nickal’s wrestling. In the second, he unleashed a barrage of knees to Nickal’s midsection, culminating in a crippling body shot that dropped the American. Referee Herb Dean halted the fight at 1:53 as Nickal could no longer defend himself.
De Ridder’s victory earned him a $50,000 Performance of the Night bonus and elevated his status as a middleweight contender. He expressed confidence in his ability to compete with the division’s best, while Nickal vowed to learn from the defeat and return stronger. The loss exposed gaps in Nickal’s game, particularly in striking and defensive grappling.
Main Card Results
Daniel Rodriguez def. Santiago Ponzinibbio via TKO (punches) at 1:12 of Round 3
Rodriguez overwhelmed Ponzinibbio with a flurry of strikes in the third round, securing his second consecutive win.
Montel Jackson def. Daniel Marcos via unanimous decision (30-27, 30-27, 30-27)
Jackson’s blend of grappling and striking earned him a decisive victory over Marcos.
Serhiy Sidey def. Cameron Smotherman via unanimous decision (30-27, 29-28, 29-28)
Sidey’s relentless pace and volume outshined Smotherman for a clear decision.
Mason Jones def. Jeremy Stephens via unanimous decision (30-27, 30-27, 30-27)
Jones used a mix of wrestling and striking to outpoint the veteran Stephens.
Preliminary Card Highlights
Azamat Bekoev def. Ryan Loder via TKO (strikes) at 2:44 of Round 1
Bekoev’s explosive knockout of TUF 32 winner Loder earned a $50,000 bonus and extended his win streak to eight.
Gillian Robertson def. Marina Rodriguez via TKO (strikes) at 2:07 of Round 2
Robertson’s grappling and ground strikes stopped Rodriguez’s momentum in the strawweight division.
Quang Le def. Gaston Bolanos via technical submission (rear-naked choke) at 1:54 of Round 2
Le’s wrestling led to a choke that rendered Bolanos unconscious, earning a $50,000 bonus.
Yana Santos def. Miesha Tate via unanimous decision (29-28, 29-28, 29-28)
Santos edged out the former champion Tate with consistent striking and grappling.
Thomas Petersen def. Don’Tale Mayes via unanimous decision (30-25, 30-26, 30-26)
Petersen’s grappling overwhelmed Mayes for a lopsided decision.
Juliana Miller def. Ivana Petrovic via unanimous decision (29-28, 29-28, 29-28)
Miller’s grappling secured a victory in her return after a long layoff.
Key Takeaways and What’s Next
Cory Sandhagen’s win over Deiveson Figueiredo showcased his growth as a complete fighter, blending elite striking with opportunistic grappling. His 4-1 record in his last five fights positions him as a top contender for the bantamweight title, likely against the Dvalishvili-O’Malley winner. Reinier de Ridder’s upset of Bo Nickal disrupted the prospect’s meteoric rise, earning de Ridder a potential top-10 matchup while Nickal faces a critical rebuilding phase.
