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- What: UFC Des Moines Main Event
- Who: Cory Sandhagen Vs. Deiveson Figueiredo
- Date: Saturday, May 3, 2025
- Location: Wells Fargo Arena in Des Moines, Iowa
- Time: Prelims (7:00 p.m. ET), Main Card (10:00 p.m. ET)
- How to Watch: ESPN+, ESPN2
The UFC has not held a fight card in Iowa since 2000. That changes on Saturday, May 3, when the promotion heads to Des Moines for the first time for the UFC Des Moines fight card. The UFC Fight Night event features a bantamweight main event between former interim UFC bantamweight title challenger Cory Sandhagen and former UFC flyweight champion Deiveson Figueiredo. Sandhagen comes into UFC Des Moines as the No. 4 fighter in the official UFC 135-pound rankings, while Figueiredo is the No. 5 ranked UFC bantamweight. Here is some background on Sandhagen and Figueiredo before we look at the betting breakdown for the UFC Des Moines Fight Night event.
Cory Sandhagen (17-5) was on a three-fight winning streak when he faced Umar Nurmagomedov in a title fight eliminator in August 2024. Nurmagomedov won that fight via unanimous decision.
Deiveson Figueiredo (24-4-1) had a 3-0 bantamweight record ahead of his November 2024 matchup against former UFC champ Petr Yan. Yan defeated Figueiredo in that contest.
Before we look at the best bets for Ian Machado Garry vs. Carlos Prates on the UFC Kansas City card, check out the best UFC betting sites and where you can find our betting picks for the UFC 315 main event.
UFC Des Moines Main Event: Cory Sandhagen Vs. Deiveson Figueiredo betting picks
| Fighters |  |  |  |  |
| Cory Sandhagen | -450 | -460 | -460 | -469 |
| Deiveson Figueiredo | +350 | +340 | +345 | +330 |
UFC Des Moines betting breakdown: Cory Sandhagen
Cory Sandhagen has been one of the more entertaining strikers to watch in the UFC bantamweight division over the past few years. The 33-year-old has a solid kickboxing base to work from, but he is also unafraid to throw caution to the wind and take risks with flashy maneuvers, even when those techniques can get him in deep trouble against aware opponents.
Sandhagen is at his best when he mixes heavy body strikes with his jabs and leg kicks. When he finds the perfect mix of aggression, technique and recklessness, he is an elite competitor. Sandhagen is also a tough and resilient competitor, never losing by knockout and only having one submission defeat in his career. That submission setback came in June 2020 when Aljamain Sterling stopped Sandhagen in the first round of their bantamweight title eliminator.
Sandhagen is a highly ranked bantamweight, but he cannot afford a second straight loss at this point in his career. Look for him to be aggressive against Figueiredo.
Sandhagen is an active striker, landing an average of 5.02 significant strikes per minute with an accuracy of 44 percent. His striking defense is 56 percent and he absorbs 3.46 significant strikes per minute. Sandhagen averages 1.19 takedowns per 15 minutes, with a takedown accuracy of 32 percent. His takedown defense is 63 percent.
UFC Des Moines betting breakdown: Deiveson Figueiredo
Deiveson Figueiredo had been on a nice run since moving up to 135 pounds with wins over notable names in Rob Font, Cody Garbrandt, and Marlon “Chito” Vera. However, the 37-year-old Figueiredo saw that run come to an end against Yan in November. At his age, Figueiredo’s best hope of getting to a UFC bantamweight title fight depends on him getting an upset win over Sandhagen in Des Moines.
Figueiredo has looked good at 135 pounds. He has shown improved cardio and wrestling since moving up in weight. In his first three fights at bantamweight, Figueiredo picked up seven takedowns, which is the same number of takedowns he had in his last eight fights at flyweight. Figueiredo mixes up his striking targets and techniques based on what his foe shows him. He is a well-rounded fighter who is dangerous anywhere inside the Octagon. Figueiredo’s power allowed him to score the first knockdown against Vera.
Figueiredo lands 2.92 significant strikes per minute with an accuracy of 54 percent. He absorbs 3.55 significant strikes per minute with a striking defense of 49 percent. Yan picks up 1.62 takedowns per 15 minutes with an accuracy of 34 percent. His takedown defense is 60 percent.
Best Bets: UFC Des Moines Main Event – Cory Sandhagen Vs. Deiveson Figueiredo
The betting odds are lopsided in this one because while Deiveson Figueiredo was an excellent flyweight, he is going to struggle against the best bantamweights in the UFC, which Cory Sandhagen is.
The betting pick is for Cory Sandhagen to beat Deiveson Figueiredo by decision in the UFC Des Moines main event.
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