UFC Fight Night: Sandhagen Vs. Figueiredo Prediction, Analysis & Picks

Chloe Fitzgerald

6 min read

Post on May 04, 2025

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Cory Sandhagen Analysis

Strengths:

Cory Sandhagen brings a dynamic and exciting style to the octagon. His strengths are numerous and make him a dangerous opponent for anyone.

• Exceptional striking precision and power: Sandhagen's striking is a thing of beauty. He possesses exceptional accuracy, often landing clean, powerful shots from a variety of angles. His striking combinations are fluid and unpredictable.
• Superior reach advantage: His significant reach advantage allows him to control the distance and dictate the pace of the fight, keeping Moreno at bay. This reach advantage will be crucial in negating Moreno's aggressive style.
• Dynamic movement and elusive style: Sandhagen’s movement is incredibly fluid and difficult to predict. He slips, weaves, and circles effectively, making him a difficult target to hit cleanly. This elusiveness is a key part of his offensive and defensive strategies.
• Improved grappling defense: While grappling was once a perceived weakness, Sandhagen has significantly improved his defensive grappling skills. He’s shown the ability to defend takedowns and scramble back to his feet effectively.
• Experience against top-tier opponents: Sandhagen has faced some of the best fighters in the bantamweight division, including Aljamain Sterling and T.J. Dillashaw. This experience against elite competition has honed his skills and strategic thinking.
• High fight IQ and adaptability: Sandhagen possesses a high fight IQ, showing an ability to adjust his game plan in real-time based on his opponent's tactics. He’s adept at capitalizing on his opponent’s mistakes.

Weaknesses:

Despite his impressive skillset, Sandhagen isn't without vulnerabilities.

• Potential vulnerability to takedowns from powerful wrestlers: While his grappling defense has improved, powerful wrestlers with strong takedown skills could pose a threat. If Moreno can successfully take him down, he could control the fight on the ground.
• Can be susceptible to counters if his striking offense is overly aggressive: Sandhagen’s aggressive striking style can leave him open to counterattacks. He needs to maintain defensive awareness while unleashing his offensive arsenal.
• Past struggles against elite grapplers: His past performances against elite grapplers highlight that his improved grappling defense is still a work in progress. Moreno's grappling expertise will test the limits of this improvement.

Brandon Moreno Analysis

Strengths:

Brandon Moreno, the former UFC Flyweight Champion, brings a well-rounded skillset to the fight.

• Exceptional grappling skills and submission expertise: Moreno's grappling is his primary weapon. He's a highly skilled wrestler with an impressive submission game, capable of finishing fights from dominant positions.
• Relentless pressure and cardio: Moreno consistently applies relentless pressure throughout the fight, wearing down his opponents and creating opportunities for takedowns and strikes. His exceptional cardio ensures he maintains this pressure for all three rounds.
• Powerful striking in close range: While not a long-range striker, Moreno's striking in close range is effective, often setting up takedowns and delivering damaging blows.
• Experience as a former UFC Flyweight Champion: His experience at the highest level of the UFC, including his reign as champion, provides him with invaluable experience and mental fortitude.
• Proven ability to overcome adversity: Moreno has shown a remarkable ability to overcome setbacks throughout his career, displaying resilience and determination.

Weaknesses:

Moreno's style also presents certain vulnerabilities.

• Can struggle against opponents with superior reach and striking: His shorter reach can make it difficult to effectively engage opponents with superior range and striking ability like Sandhagen.
• May tire if the fight goes to the later rounds: While his cardio is generally excellent, prolonged exchanges and grappling battles can potentially drain his energy, particularly in the later rounds.
• Potential vulnerability to leg kicks: Effective leg kicks could slow down his movement and hinder his ability to close the distance effectively.

Fight Breakdown and Prediction

Potential Fight Scenarios:

Several scenarios could unfold in this UFC Fight Night Sandhagen vs Figueiredo matchup:

• Sandhagen using his reach advantage to control the distance and land significant strikes: Sandhagen will aim to keep Moreno at bay with his superior reach, utilizing jabs and kicks to control the range and land powerful strikes.
• Moreno utilizing his grappling to secure takedowns and control the fight on the ground: Moreno will look to close the distance and utilize his superior grappling skills to secure takedowns, controlling the pace of the fight and searching for submissions.
• A potential striking battle in the early rounds, followed by a grappling exchange in later rounds: The fight might start as a stand-up battle before transitioning into grappling exchanges as the fight progresses.

Prediction:

This UFC Fight Night Sandhagen vs Figueiredo fight is a close one. While Moreno’s grappling is a significant threat, Sandhagen’s reach advantage and improved grappling defense make him a tough opponent to take down. We predict that Sandhagen will utilize his striking skills and reach advantage to win via a unanimous decision. However, a submission victory for Moreno is certainly within the realm of possibility, should he manage to secure a takedown and dominate on the ground.

Betting Odds and Picks

Betting odds can fluctuate, so always check with your bookmaker for the most up-to-date information before placing any bets.

Moneyline Odds:

[Insert current moneyline odds for both fighters here].

Prop Bets:

Several prop bets offer interesting opportunities:

• Method of Victory: Will it be a KO/TKO, Submission, or Decision? Considering Sandhagen's striking and Moreno's grappling prowess, a decision is a strong possibility.
• Round Betting: Predicting the round in which the fight will end adds another layer of complexity.
• Total Rounds: Over/Under 2.5 rounds is another popular prop bet.

Best Bet:

Considering the fighters' strengths and weaknesses, our best bet for this UFC Fight Night Sandhagen vs Figueiredo event leans towards Sandhagen winning via decision. However, responsible gambling dictates that you should only bet what you can afford to lose.

Conclusion

UFC Fight Night: Sandhagen vs. Figueiredo promises to be a captivating event. Our analysis suggests a close fight, with Sandhagen’s reach advantage and improved grappling defense giving him the edge. While the fight could go either way, understanding the fighters' strengths and weaknesses is crucial for making informed predictions and betting decisions. Remember to always gamble responsibly. For more detailed UFC Fight Night Sandhagen vs Figueiredo analysis and predictions, continue exploring our website! Make sure to check out our other UFC Fight Night Sandhagen vs Figueiredo content for additional insights.