Sandhagen Vs. Figueiredo: A Fighter-by-Fighter Breakdown For UFC Fight Night

Omar Yusuf

5 min read

Post on May 04, 2025

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Cory Sandhagen's Strengths and Weaknesses

Strengths:

Cory Sandhagen is a dynamic striker with a well-rounded skillset. His exceptional striking is a major asset. He possesses incredible speed, precision, and a diverse arsenal of techniques. Sandhagen's ability to adapt his strategy mid-fight is another key strength. He shows a high fight IQ, constantly adjusting his approach based on his opponent's reactions. His cardio is also exceptional; he maintains a high pace throughout fights, rarely tiring.

• Examples: Sandhagen's impressive victories against Frankie Edgar and Marlon Moraes showcase his adaptability and striking prowess. His performance against T.J. Dillashaw, though ultimately a loss, demonstrated his elite-level striking ability.

• Bullet Points:

  • Lightning-fast combinations
  • Effective use of leg kicks and spinning attacks
  • High fight IQ and adaptability
  • Excellent cardio and stamina

Weaknesses:

Despite his striking dominance, Sandhagen's grappling defense presents a potential vulnerability. While he's improved, he's shown susceptibility to takedowns against strong wrestlers. His submission defense also requires attention. While not easily submitted, he's shown moments of vulnerability on the ground. His power, while significant, might not be on par with some of the top contenders in the division; he's more of a technical striker than a knockout artist.

• Examples: Matches where Sandhagen faced strong wrestlers highlighted his vulnerabilities in grappling. His loss to T.J. Dillashaw partly stemmed from his inability to completely neutralize Dillashaw's takedown attempts.

• Bullet Points:

  • Susceptibility to takedowns against stronger wrestlers
  • Limited submission defense
  • Relatively lower knockout power compared to some opponents

Brandon Moreno's Strengths and Weaknesses

Strengths:

Brandon Moreno is a former UFC flyweight champion known for his world-class grappling. His Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu skills are elite, with a dangerous submission game. He's also incredibly effective at securing takedowns and maintaining dominant positions on the ground. Like Sandhagen, Moreno boasts exceptional cardio, enabling him to maintain pressure throughout a fight. His fighting IQ is also high, demonstrating strategic awareness and tactical adjustments in the Octagon.

• Examples: Moreno's victories over Deiveson Figueiredo, showcasing his dominant grappling and ability to secure submissions, highlight his strengths. His ability to control the pace of the fight and adapt to different opponents is a consistent feature of his fights.

• Bullet Points:

  • Elite-level submission game
  • Effective takedowns and ground control
  • Excellent cardio and stamina
  • High fighting IQ and strategic approach

Weaknesses:

Moreno's striking defense can be exploited. He's susceptible to counter-strikes, especially if he commits too heavily to takedowns. His punching power, while effective, might not be enough to consistently overcome a superior striker like Sandhagen.

• Examples: In some fights, Moreno has been caught with significant strikes while moving in for takedowns, highlighting the need to carefully manage his striking defense.

• Bullet Points:

  • Vulnerability to counter-strikes
  • Can be susceptible to leg kicks
  • Relatively lower knockout power compared to Sandhagen's speed-based striking

Predicting the Outcome of Sandhagen vs. Figueiredo

This fight promises a fascinating clash of styles. Sandhagen will likely aim to keep the fight standing, utilizing his speed and striking to outpoint Moreno. Moreno, conversely, will look to secure takedowns and control the fight on the ground, aiming for submissions or ground-and-pound.

The key matchup will be Sandhagen's striking versus Moreno's grappling. Sandhagen's success hinges on his ability to stuff takedowns and land significant strikes. Moreno's success relies on his ability to close the distance and secure dominant positions on the mat.

• Bullet Points:
  • Sandhagen's best chance for victory: Maintaining distance, landing consistent strikes, and avoiding takedowns.
  • Moreno's best chance for victory: Successfully securing takedowns, controlling the fight on the ground, and securing a submission.
  • Potential for a finish: A Sandhagen KO/TKO is possible if he lands a clean shot. Moreno has a higher chance of a submission finish.
  • Likely fight duration: The fight could go the distance, but a finish within the first three rounds is also a strong possibility.

Our prediction leans slightly towards Moreno due to his grappling advantage. However, Sandhagen’s speed and striking accuracy make this fight incredibly difficult to predict with certainty. It's a truly compelling matchup.

Conclusion:

This comprehensive breakdown of Sandhagen vs. Figueiredo highlights the contrasting styles and strengths of both fighters. While Sandhagen boasts exceptional striking and speed, Moreno’s grappling and wrestling prowess pose a significant threat. The outcome hinges on several key matchups, particularly Sandhagen’s ability to avoid takedowns and Moreno’s capacity to land significant strikes. Ultimately, predicting a winner in this clash of styles is challenging; however, our analysis provides valuable insight into the potential course of this exciting UFC Fight Night main event. Don't miss the action – tune in to watch Sandhagen vs. Figueiredo and see if our predictions hold true! Keep up to date with all the latest UFC news and analyses to better understand future Sandhagen vs. Figueiredo-style matchups.