UFC Des Moines Preview
Pack your corndogs and hold onto your Hawkeye hatsUFC is landing in Des Moines, Iowa, for the first time in history, and it’s doing so with a bang. This Saturday, the octagon sets up shop at the Wells Fargo Arena, where fans can expect a cocktail of chaos, talent, and title implications. There’s no cornfield wide enough to contain the energy that this card promises. And at the top of the bill? A bantamweight clash that could seriously shake up the 135-pound hierarchy.
Main Event: Sandhagen vs Figueiredo – Clash of Weight Classes
In a matchup that would’ve sounded like fiction not long ago, #2 ranked bantamweight Cory Sandhagen faces former flyweight champ Deiveson Figueiredo in the main event. And before you raise your eyebrowsyes, Figueiredo has proven he can hang above 125 pounds, with his last win coming over the savage Rob Font.
Sandhagen, returning after a near year-long layoff due to a triceps surgery, remains one of the most technically proficient strikers in the sport. When healthy, his footwork is silk, and his timing is poison. Figueiredo, on the other hand, is the embodiment of chaosrelentless pressure, dynamite in both hands, and a mean streak a mile wide. It’s the classic case of finesse versus fury.
Betting odds have Sandhagen opened as a slight favorite at -175, while Figueiredo enters as the underdog at +145. In other words, the books respect the Brazilian’s power and championship pedigree, even in an unfamiliar division.
Co-Main Event: Ferreira vs Stoltzfus – Middleweight Movers
Bruno Ferreira (10-1) gets a chance to remind the division he’s not to be overlooked when he takes on the gritty Dustin Stoltzfus. Ferreira, nicknamed “The Hulk” for good reason, has finished all ten of his winsnone via snoozefest. Stoltzfus, meanwhile, is fighting for momentum after a rocky start to his UFC stint.
The odds show Ferreira at -225 and Stoltzfus at +180, suggesting the bookmakers are expecting a short night for “The Hulk.” If Stoltzfus wants to flip the script, survival and dragging the fight into deeper waters might be his best bet. No easy task when your opponent swings like he’s auditioning for a demolition derby.
Keep Your Eyes On: Barboza vs Murphy
The featherweight scrap between Edson Barboza and the rising Lerone Murphy could very well steal the show. Barboza may be a UFC veteran, but his highlight-reel knockouts still loop endlessly through MMA Twitter. Murphy, undefeated and under the radar no more, is looking to scalp a legend en route to a top-10 ranking.
Vegas has this one razor close with Murphy a slight favorite, reflecting the classic youth-versus-experience storyline. Will Barboza’s spinning wheel of death connect, or will Murphy remain unbeaten on enemy turf?
Other Notable Fights
- T.J. Brown vs. Melquizael Costa: Featherweights colliding with everything to gain. Brown is looking to bounce back, while Costa wants to build some real momentum inside the octagon.
- Tagir Ulanbekov vs. Joshua Van: Sleeper alert. Flyweight fireworks are likely here. Ulanbekov enters with the backpack of Dagestani grappling, but Van’s hands are pure venom.
- Thiago Moises vs. Ludovit Klein: A stylistic delight at 155 with striking vs control-heavy BJJ. This one’s a chess match that could turn into a slugfest without warning.
How to Watch UFC Des Moines
No PPV fee this time, folks. UFC Fight Night: Sandhagen vs. Figueiredo will be broadcast live on ESPN and ESPN+. Fans on the East Coast should set their alarmsprelims kick off at 5 p.m. ET, with the main card taking center stage at 8 p.m. ET.
Traveling to Des Moines? Here’s What You Should Know
While Iowa is more known for wrestlers than world champs, Des Moines is rolling out the red carpet. Expect a sold-out crowd at the Wells Fargo Arena and extra police presence managing the city’s first UFC event. Local fighters are loving the spotlight, and fans are amped to see if Iowa’s wrestling roots can energize some gritty showdowns.
Final Verdict
This isn’t just a fight night; it’s a statement. UFC testing markets like Des Moines shows just how globaland now nationalthis sport has become. Sandhagen vs. Figueiredo is a fascinating stylistic clash with heavy implications. Add in a buffet of prospect showcases, style clashes, and proven veterans, and you’ve got everything you could want: violence, drama, and just a dash of Midwest charm.
So cancel your dinner plans, grab your beverage of choice, and prepare to witness a cornfield get turned into a coliseum. UFC Des Moines is coming in hot.
