UFC heads to Des Moines this weekend with a fight card stacked with rising talent, fan favorites, and a high-stakes main event that could shake up the bantamweight title picture. In the headline bout, top contender Cory Sandhagen looks to solidify his claim for a title shot as he takes on former flyweight champion Deiveson Figueiredo, who's been making waves since moving up to 135 pounds. The card features a mix of veterans and newcomers, including the return of knockout artist Jeremy Stephens in front of his home state crowd, and undefeated prospects like Bo Nickal and Daniel Marcos facing their toughest tests to date. With exciting striker-versus-grappler matchups and ranked implications across multiple divisions, UFC Des Moines promises to deliver.

Main Card

#4 Cory Sandhagen vs #5 Deiveson Figueiredo
Bantamweight Bout - 135 lbs

In the main event of the evening, two top-5 bantamweights collide in a high-stakes showdown. Cory Sandhagen, one of the division’s most well-rounded and cerebral fighters, started his career as a slick, high-level striker but has steadily added wrestling and grappling to his game. His sharp fight IQ and athleticism allow him to adjust mid-fight and stay a step ahead of the competition. As the highest-ranked contender yet to face either Sean O'Malley or Merab Dvalishvili, Sandhagen is looking to make a big statement and finally lock in his title shot. Standing in his way is former flyweight champion Deiveson Figueiredo, who continues to find success since moving up to 135. Known for his devastating power and finishing instincts, Figueiredo has added more tools to his arsenal at bantamweight, mixing in takedowns and submission threats to go along with his signature heavy hands.

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#10 Reinier De Ridder vs Bo Nickal
Middleweight Bout - 185 lbs

Undefeated Bo Nickal finally gets his shot at a ranked opponent as he takes on UFC newcomer—though seasoned MMA veteran—Reinier De Ridder. De Ridder has made an immediate impact since joining the UFC, using his world-class BJJ to rack up wins and prove why he was a champion in other top organizations. Now, he faces one of the most hyped prospects in Bo Nickal. A decorated wrestler, Nickal has been developing his all-around game on the job, blending his elite grappling with steadily improving striking and submission skills. This matchup is a real test for both men—and a big step toward the top of the division.

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Santiago Ponzinibbio vs Daniel Rodriguez
Welterweight Bout - 170 lbs

Santiago Ponzinibbio vs. Daniel Rodriguez is a fun matchup between two skilled strikers that should deliver plenty of action for the fans. Ponzinibbio does his best work at range, using volume and movement to control the tempo and pick opponents apart from the outside. In contrast, Rodriguez brings a pressure-heavy boxing style, staying in his opponent’s face and picking his shots with sharp, technical hands.

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#15 Montel Jackson vs Daniel Marcos
Bantamweight Bout - 135 lbs

Two rising bantamweight prospects square off with a potential spot in the rankings on the line, as undefeated Daniel Marcos takes on the dangerous Montel Jackson. Jackson started out as a wrestler but has developed serious knockout power over the years, with 57% of his wins coming by KO. He’s grown into a well-rounded threat with finishing ability on the feet. On the other side, Marcos is a sharp, powerful striker who moves forward with confidence and stays composed under fire. If he can’t get the finish, he’s proven he can still outwork opponents over three rounds and take the decision.

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Cameron Smotherman vs Serhiy Sidey
Bantamweight Bout - 135 lbs

Cameron Smotherman is a patient, technical striker who uses sharp footwork to stay on the outside and keep the fight standing. He’s making his second UFC appearance after stepping in on short notice for his debut, and now has a full camp behind him. Across the cage, Serhiy Sidey brings a different kind of striking—he’s a taller fighter who relies on constant pressure and big power shots more than keeping range. If the fight hits the mat, he’s quick to attack with submissions, making him dangerous wherever the fight goes.

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Jeremy Stephens vs Mason Jones
Lightweight Bout - 155 lbs

Jeremy Stephens makes his return to the UFC after a big knockout win over Eddie Alvarez in BKFC, bringing his trademark power and brawling style back to the cage where he is always hunting for the finish. While his recent MMA run hasn’t gone the way he’d hoped, he now gets a shot to bounce back in front of a home state crowd. Across from him is Mason Jones, an all-action fighter known for his aggressive striking and ability to mix in takedowns to keep opponents off balance. If this one stays standing, it has all the ingredients to be a wild and entertaining start to the main card.

Prelims

#10 Yana Santos vs#12 Miesha Tate
Bantamweight Bout - 135 lbs

Yana Santos brings a high-volume striking style to the cage, mixing in all her weapons to manage distance and control the pace of the fight. She’s not always hunting for the finish, but her output and versatility keep opponents guessing. When needed, she can mix in some offensive wrestling to keep things balanced. On the other side, former champ Miesha Tate enters with her trademark forward pressure, always looking to close the distance and get the fight to the ground. Her striking is serviceable and helps her stay competitive on the feet, but wrestling has always been the core of her gameplan.

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Ryan Loder vs Azamat Bekoev
Middleweight Bout - 185 lbs

TUF champion Ryan Loder steps into the Octagon bringing a pressure-heavy style. He doesn’t throw a ton on the feet, but he’s constantly moving forward, using that pressure to back opponents against the cage and set up takedowns—often timing them off counters. Across from him, Azamat Bekoev returns for his second UFC bout after a strong short-notice debut. Bekoev is a powerful striker and wrestler who brings intensity in everything he does, throwing with bad intentions and grinds when the fight hits the mat.

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#9 Marina Rodriguez vs #12 Gillian Robertson
Strawweight Bout - 115 lbs

Ranked strawweights go head-to-head as Marina Rodriguez takes on Jillian Robertson in a classic striker vs. grappler matchup. Rodriguez has been a mainstay in the division, known for her clean, technical boxing and ability to use her reach to control the pace on the feet. She does her best work at range, picking opponents apart with sharp combinations. On the other side, Robertson is a high-level grappler climbing the rankings, always looking to take the fight to the mat where she can hunt submissions and control from top position.

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Gaston Bolanos vs Quang Le
Bantamweight Bout - 135 lbs

Gaston Bolanos is a Muay Thai striker who thrives in stand-up wars, with 75% of his wins coming by knockout. He’s always looking to trade and make it a brawl, using sharp, technical striking to keep opponents on edge. While his ground game can be a weakness, his solid defensive guard and crisp stand-up make it risky for opponents to close the distance and drag him down. On the other side, Quang Le is a rangy striker with slick footwork who’s more than willing to stand and trade. He uses his reach well and doesn’t shy away from mixing it up on the feet.

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Thomas Petersen vs Don’Tale Mayes
Heavyweight Bout - 265 lbs

Thomas Petersen uses his size and strong wrestling base to get the fight to the ground, where he takes over with heavy top control and looks to wear opponents down before finishing with ground and pound. He’s at his best when he can dictate the pace and stay in dominant positions. Standing in his way is Don’Tale Mayes, a big man with serious power in his hands. Mayes brings a dangerous boxing style to the cage and is always hunting for the knockout, looking to keep the fight standing and end it with one clean shot.

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Juliana Miller vs Ivana Petrovic
Flyweight Bout - 125 lbs

Kicking off the night, TUF champ Juliana Miller faces off with Ivana Petrovic. Miller brings an aggressive striking style but really shines when the fight hits the mat, where she looks to lock in submissions. She’s still pretty new to the game, so experience is her biggest challenge. Petrovic is also a dangerous grappler who’s always hunting for submissions, and she tends to bring the action every time she steps into the cage.

Enjoy the Fights!