Cory Sandhagen News

Fernando Quiles Jr. - May 4, 2025

Cory Sandhagen believes he’s closer than ever to securing a UFC title opportunity. Sandhagen went one-on-one with former UFC Flyweight Champion Deiveson Figueiredo this past Saturday. The bantamweight tilt headlined UFC Des Moines inside Wells Fargo Arena. The bout ended in the second round after Figueiredo suffered a knee injury, which Sandhagen believes he caused by getting the better of his opponent in a leg lock position.

Harry Kettle - May 4, 2025

UFC bantamweight Cory Sandhagen believes he caused Deiveson Figueiredo’s knee injury in his win at UFC Des Moines. Last night in the main event of UFC Des Moines, Cory Sandhagen showed up. He looked calm, confident and composed, and he managed to finish Deiveson Figueiredo. While some have opted to look at it as an injury-based TKO, others have correctly identified that it was Cory’s work that led to the injury. In picking up the win, he has vaulted himself right back into title contention – and in some style, too.

Chris Taylor - May 3, 2025

Tonight’s UFC Des Moines fight card was headlined by a key men’s bantamweight matchup between Cory Sandhagen and Deiveson Figueiredo. Sandhagen (18-5 MMA) was returning to action for the first time since suffering a decision loss at the hands of Umar Nurmagomedov this past August in Abu Dhabi. Prior to that setback, ‘The Sandman’ had strung together a three-fight winning streak, which included a TKO victory over Song Yadong.

Chris Taylor - May 3, 2025

We have you covered for all of tonight’s UFC Des Moines results, including the bantamweight main event between Cory Sandhagen and Deiveson Figueiredo. Sandhagen (17-5 MMA) will be returning to action for the first time since suffering a decision loss at the hands of Umar Nurmagomedov last August in Abu Dhabi. Prior to that setback, ‘The Sandman’ had strung together a three-fight winning streak, which included a TKO victory over Song Yadong.

Harry Kettle - May 3, 2025

Cory Sandhagen has given his thoughts on what Sean O’Malley can do to defeat Merab Dvalishvili in their rematch. In the main event of UFC 316, Sean O’Malley will challenge Merab Dvalishvili for the UFC bantamweight championship. Dvalishvili was able to take the belt from ‘Suga’ last year in their first encounter, with many wondering whether or not the outcome would be different if they were to run it back. Well, next month, we’ll get the chance to find out.

Fernando Quiles Jr. - May 2, 2025

The UFC Des Moines weigh-ins are in the books, and fans will be pleased to know that there is no pre-fight drama. Headliners Cory Sandhagen and Deiveson Figueiredo tipped the scales on Friday morning and hit their target weights. Sandhagen clocked in at 135.5 pounds, while Figueiredo hit the 135-pound mark.

Harry Kettle - May 2, 2025

UFC bantamweight Cory Sandhagen has revealed that a fight between him and Dominick Cruz almost came to fruition. While he may now be retired, the impact of Dominick Cruz in the world of mixed martial arts cannot be understated. He is one of the most iconic bantamweight fighters of all time, and someone who was a pioneer in the sport – especially in the lower men’s weight classes. Yes, his career was derailed pretty significantly as a result of his many injuries, but that doesn’t take away from what he was able to accomplish.

Cole Shelton - April 30, 2025

Cory Sandhagen believes he can secure the next title shot with an impressive win against Deiveson Figueiredo at UFC Des Moines. Sandhagen is set to headline the card as he looks to get back into the win column after a decision loss to Umar Nurmagomedov back in August. Heading into the bout against Figueiredo, Sandhagen is a sizeable favorite. With that, he expects to get his hand raised and do so impressively.

Josh Evanoff - March 19, 2025

Cory Sandhagen has no issue with Sean O’Malley getting the next UFC bantamweight title shot. ‘The Sandman’ recently booked his return to the octagon for May in Des Moines. Last suffering a unanimous decision loss to Umar Nurmagomedov in August, the bantamweight contender will meet former UFC flyweight champion Deiveson Figueiredo next. For his part. ‘Deus da Guerra’ is fresh off a lopsided decision loss to Petr Yan in November. That defeat snapped a three-fight winning streak for the Brazilian.

Josh Evanoff - February 20, 2025

Bantamweight contenders Deiveson Figueiredo and Cory Sandhagen will reportedly meet in May. ‘Deus da Guerra’ is fresh off his return to the octagon in the main event of UFC Macau in November. He entered the event riding a two-fight winning streak and met former bantamweight champion Petr Yan. Despite Deiveson Figueiredo’s newfound success at 135 pounds, he was outpointed by ‘No Mercy’ en route to a unanimous decision loss.

Josh Evanoff - January 23, 2025

Cory Sandhagen wants a fight against former UFC bantamweight champion Sean O’Malley. ‘Sugar’ hasn’t been seen in the cage since a September title defense against Merab Dvalishvili. The bout was Sean O’Malley’s second defense of bantamweight gold, having scored a decision win over Marlon Vera last April. Ultimately, ‘The Machine’ wound up outwresting the champion en route to a unanimous decision win in the main event of Noche UFC, ending the striker’s title reign.

Fernando Quiles Jr. - January 22, 2025

Merab Dvalishvili has one top UFC bantamweight contender knocking on his door. Dvalishvili is the reigning 135-pound champion, who is fresh off a successful title defense against Umar Nurmagomedov. Dvalishvili and Nurmagomedov collided in the co-main event of UFC 311. The Georgian champion was able to retain his gold thanks to some elite conditioning and grappling.

Fernando Quiles Jr. - November 27, 2024

Following UFC Macau, Petr Yan has a familiar name who is looking to run it back. Yan was back in action this past Saturday in a headlining spot. He took on fellow ex-UFC champion Deiveson Figueiredo in a pivotal bantamweight contest. The bout went to the final horn at the end of round five, and Yan was awarded the unanimous decision victory.

Cole Shelton - October 8, 2024

Cory Sandhagen wants Sean O’Malley to fight him once he’s healthy. Sandhagen says he was rooting for Jose Aldo to win at UFC 307 so that could be his next fight. But, after Aldo lost, Sandhagen is now turning his attention to O’Malley as he believes it makes sense, as the winner should get a title shot.

Fernando Quiles Jr. - September 20, 2024

One former UFC bantamweight champion has warned Sean O’Malley to stay clear from a certain 135-pound contender. O’Malley won’t have to worry about future opponents at the moment. The “Suga” show will be going under the knife following his UFC 306 loss to Merab Dvalishvili. O’Malley claims he suffered a torn labrum 10 weeks before losing the UFC Bantamweight Championship.

Cole Shelton - September 19, 2024

Former UFC bantamweight champion TJ Dillashaw believes Cory Sandhagen would beat Sean O’Malley with relative ease. Dillashaw used to train with Sandhagen and even fought him. Although Dillashaw did get the better of Sandhagen, winning a decision, he doesn’t think O’Malley matches up well with him. Instead, he thinks Sandhagen would piece up ‘Suga’ if they ended up fighting.

Cole Shelton - August 5, 2024

The UFC was in Abu Dhabi, Dubai for a solid UFC Abu Dhabi Fight Night card on Saturday as the main event saw Umar Nurmagomedov take on Cory Sandhagen in a No. 1 contender bout at bantamweight. Heading into the bout, Nurmagomedov was looking for his first win over a ranked opponent in a bout that served as his first career UFC main event. ‘Young Eagle’ was returning to action following a decision win over Bekzat Almakhan back in March. Sandhagen, meanwhile, was riding a three-fight winning streak and was coming off a decision win over Rob Font last August.

Fernando Quiles Jr. - August 4, 2024

Cory Sandhagen has spoken out after suffering his first loss since 2021 at the hands of Umar Nurmagomedov. Sandhagen’s UFC Abu Dhabi clash against Umar had high stakes. The winner would likely solidify a chance to fight for the UFC Bantamweight Championship.