Latest news with #CorySandhagen
USA Today
07-05-2025
- Sport
- USA Today
USA TODAY Sports/MMA Junkie rankings, May 6: Cory Sandhagen enters top 5
USA TODAY Sports/MMA Junkie rankings, May 6: Cory Sandhagen enters top 5 Last weekend, UFC on ESPN 67 took place in Des Moines, Iowa. The event prompted moves in multiple weight classes. The event featured a bantamweight showdown between Cory Sandhagen and Deiveson Figueiredo. The fight came to an abrupt ending in the second round after Sandhagen injured Figueiredo's knee in a grappling exchange. Entering the week at No. 6, Sandhagen's performance changed up the rankings, and he now holds the No. 5 spot, while Figueiredo keeps his No. 11 placement. Reinier de Ridder entered the week at No. 15, but after a big win over an undefeated Bo Nickal, the former ONE champ lands at No. 12. Check out all the latest pound-for-pound and divisional USA TODAY Sports/MMA Junkie rankings.
USA Today
04-05-2025
- Sport
- USA Today
Sean Shelby's Shoes: What's next for Deiveson Figueiredo after UFC on ESPN 67 loss?
Sean Shelby's Shoes: What's next for Deiveson Figueiredo after UFC on ESPN 67 loss? Show Caption Hide Caption Who's next for Deiveson Figueiredo after Cory Sandhagen loss? MMA Junkie's Mike Bohn plays matchmaker and looks ahead to what makes sense for Deiveson Figueiredo in this edition of "Sean Shelby's Shoes." After a hot start at bantamweight, former UFC flyweight champ Deiveson Figueiredo has come back to earth following his UFC on ESPN 67 defeat. Figueiredo (24-5-1 MMA, 13-5-1 UFC) is now 3-2 at 135 pounds following a second-round injury TKO loss to Cory Sandhagen (18-5 MMA, 11-4 UFC) on Saturday at Wells Fargo Arena in Des Moines, Iowa, raising questions about what his career looks like going forward. At 37, Figueiredo is now far past the point of talks of whether he could join the elite group of names to claim UFC titles in two divisions, and is now holding on to trying to get back on track. What's next for the Brazilian? Watch the video above for thoughts and analysis on his future after UFC on ESPN 67.
USA Today
04-05-2025
- Sport
- USA Today
Sean Shelby's Shoes: What's next for Cory Sandhagen after UFC on ESPN 67 win?
Sean Shelby's Shoes: What's next for Cory Sandhagen after UFC on ESPN 67 win? Show Caption Hide Caption Who's next for Cory Sandhagen after beating Deiveson Figueiredo? MMA Junkie's Mike Bohn plays matchmaker and looks ahead to what makes sense for Cory Sandhagen in this edition of "Sean Shelby's Shoes." Cory Sandhagen may have secured his long-awaited undisputed bantamweight title shot at UFC on ESPN 67 when he beat Deiveson Figueiredo in the main event. Although somewhat anticlimactic, Sandhagen (18-5 MMA, 11-4 UFC) got his hand raised in the crucial contender matchup with Figueiredo (24-5-1 MMA, 13-5-1 UFC) on Saturday at Wells Fargo Arena in Des Moines, Iowa, scoring a second-round TKO following a knee injury that elevated his position in the title picture. Sandhagen made is clear he wants the winner of the UFC 316 title fight between Merab Dvalishvili and Sean O'Malley on June 7, but should he and will he get it? Watch the video above for thoughts and analysis on Sandhagen's future after UFC on ESPN 67.
USA Today
04-05-2025
- Sport
- USA Today
Cory Sandhagen wants title shot after UFC Des Moines TKO win over Deiveson Figueiredo
Cory Sandhagen wants title shot after UFC Des Moines TKO win over Deiveson Figueiredo Former interim title challenger took out ex-flyweight champ in second round Show Caption Hide Caption UFC Des Moines video: Cory Sandhagen post-fight interview UFC on ESPN 67 winner Cory Sandhagen talks to MMA Junkie and other reporters post-fight after his second-round TKO of Deiveson Figueiredo in Des Moines, Iowa. The UFC title picture at 135 pounds is a simple one for Cory Sandhagen. He sees himself as not only the clear No. 1 contender, but also the only option that makes sense. Sandhagen (18-5 MMA, 11-4 UFC) called for his shot at the winner of the championship rematch between Merab Dvalishvili and Sean O'Malley following his latest win in the octagon. Sandhagen defeated former UFC flyweight champion Deiveson Figueiredo in the main event of UFC on ESPN 67 this past Saturday in Des Moines, Iowa. Following the fight, "The Sandman" displayed his case in front of reporters as to why he's the only option for the next title shot at bantamweight. "I think I deserve the title shot next, regardless," Sandhagen said at the post-fight press conference. "I mean, who else is there? Umar (Nurmagomedov) just fought for the belt and lost. (Petr) Yan is coming off a win, but also lost to both of the guys that are fighting (for the belt), so I don't know how exciting that would be. And I finished Figgy in a round and a half. Yan didn't finish Figgy. Yan got dropped by Figgy, and I think that Figgy maybe hit me one time. So I showed that I'm better and that I'm the best guy. I deserve to be next." Dvalishvili vs. O'Malley 2 goes down in the main event of UFC 316, which is set to take place on June 7 at the Prudential Center, in Newark, New Jersey. Sandhagen has his eyes locked on fighting the winner, and he'd be willing to wait for his shot if needed. "If it's the belt next, I'll wait," Sandhagen said. "I'll wait. I don't know how long, but I'll wait." As far as who he'd prefer to face, Sandhagen has no problem fighting either guy. However, he does think that the MMA fanbase if more interested in a clash with O'Malley, than Dvalishvili. "They're both pretty exciting, but to not be boring my answer would be me and O'Malley because that's what the fans want to see."
USA Today
04-05-2025
- Sport
- USA Today
UFC on ESPN 67 post-event facts: Jeremy Stephens ties all-time record for octagon losses
UFC on ESPN 67 post-event facts: Jeremy Stephens ties all-time record for octagon losses The UFC made its return to Iowa after more than 25 years on Saturday with UFC on ESPN 67 from Wells Fargo Arena, and in the end, half the card ended in a knockout of submission. One of those stoppages went to headliner Cory Sandhagen (18-5 MMA, 11-4 UFC), who battered Deiveson Figueiredo (24-5-1 MMA, 13-5-1 UFC) until the bantamweight main event ended in a injury TKO in the second round. For more on the numbers to come out of the card, which included some historic feats, check below for MMA Junkie's post-event facts from UFC on ESPN 67. * * * * Event stats The UFC Promotional Guidelines Compliance payout for the event totaled $203,000. Sandhagen, de Ridder, Azamat Bekoev and Quang Le earned $50,000 UFC on ESPN 67 fight-night bonuses. UFC on ESPN 67 drew an announced attendance of 15,627 for a live gate of $2,476,690 Betting favorites went 7-5 on the card. Betting favorites improved to 10-5 in UFC headliners this year. Total fight time for the 12-bout card was 2:13:58. Cory Sandhagen def. Deiveson Figueiredo Sandhagen improved to 5-2 in UFC main events. Sandhagen has earned 11 of his 18 career victories by stoppage. Figueiredo fell to 3-2 since he moved up to the UFC bantamweight division in December 2023. Reinier de Ridder def. Bo Nickal de Ridder (20-2 MMA, 3-0 UFC) has earned 18 of his 20 career victories by stoppage. That includes all three of his UFC wins. Bo Nickal (7-1 MMA, 4-1 UFC) had his seven-fight winning streak snapped for the first defeat of his career. Daniel Rodriguez def. Santiago Ponzinibbio Daniel Rodriguez (19-5 MMA, 9-4 UFC) has earned 13 of his 19 career victories by stoppage. That includes four of his nine UFC wins. Santiago Ponzinibbio (30-9 MMA, 12-8 UFC) fell to 3-6 in his past nine fights dating back to January 2021. Ponzinibbio has suffered five of his nine career losses by knockout. Montel Jackson def. Daniel Marcos Montel Jackson's (15-2 MMA, 9-2 UFC) six-fight UFC winning streak at bantamweight is the third-longest active streak in the division behind Merab Dvalishvili (12) and Mario Bautista (seven). Daniel Marcos (17-1 MMA, 4-1 UFC) had his 18-fight unbeaten streak snapped for the first defeat of his career. Serhiy Sidey def. Cameron Smotherman Serhiy Sidey (12-2 MMA, 2-1 UFC) has earned both of his UFC victories by decision. Mason Jones def. Jeremy Stephens Mason Jones (16-2 MMA, 2-2 UFC) was successful in his return to the UFC for a second stint. He earned his first octagon victory since October 2021. Jones has earned both of his UFC victories by decision. Jeremy Stephens (29-22 MMA, 15-19 UFC) was unsuccessful in his UFC return and is winless in his past seven octagon appearances. Stephens fell to 1-8 with one no contest in his past 10 MMA fights dating back to July 2018. Stephens' 19 UFC losses are tied with Clay Guida for most in company history. Stephens' 13 decision losses in UFC competition are tied with Jim Miller for most in company history. Yana Santos def. Miesha Tate Yana Santos (16-8 MMA, 6-5 UFC) improved to 6-3 since she returned to the UFC women's bantamweight division in October 2018. Santos has earned all six of her UFC victories by decision. Miesha Tate (20-10 MMA, 7-7 UFC) fell to 2-3 since she returned to competition from a nearly five-year layoff in July 2021. Tate fell to 2-5 in her past seven fights dating back to July 2016. Azamat Bekoev def. Ryan Loder Azamat Bekoev (20-3 MMA, 2-0 UFC) has earned both of his UFC victories by first-round knockout. Ryan Loder (7-2 MMA, 1-1 UFC) suffered the first stoppage loss of his career with a knockout defeat. Gillian Robertson def. Marina Rodriguez Gillian Robertson (16-8 MMA, 13-6 UFC) improved to 5-1 since she dropped to the UFC strawweight division in April 2023. Robertson's four-fight UFC winning streak at strawweight is tied for the third-longest active streak in the division behind Zhang Weili (five) and Virna Jandiroba (five) Robertson's 10 stoppage victories in UFC competition are tied with Amanda Nunes for most by any female in company history. Nunes has held sole possession of the record since her last octagon finish in March 2021. Marina Rodriguez (18-6-2 MMA, 7-6-2 UFC) retired from MMA competition after her loss. Rodriguez's three-fight losing skid is the longest of her career. She hasn't earned a victory since September 2023. Rodriguez has suffered both of her career stoppage losses by knockout. Quang Le def. Gaston Bolanos Quang Le (9-2 MMA, 1-2 UFC) has earned six of his nine career victories by stoppage. Gaston Bolanos (8-5 MMA, 2-2 UFC) has suffered four of his five career losses by stoppage. Thomas Petersen def. Don'Tale Mayes Don'Tale Mayes' (11-9 MMA, 4-7 UFC) three-fight losing skid is the longest of his career. He hasn't earned a victory since April 2024. Juliana Miller def. Ivana Petrovic Juliana Miller (4-3 MMA, 2-2 UFC) earned the first decision victory of her career. Ivana Petrovic (7-3 MMA, 1-3 UFC) has suffered all three of her career losses by decision. UFC research analyst and live statistics producer Michael Carroll contributed to this story. Follow him on X @MJCflipdascript.
