Figueiredo Vs. Sandhagen Headlines UFC Des Moines On May 3rd

Luna Greco

4 min read

Post on May 05, 2025

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Brandon Moreno's Road to Des Moines

Brandon Moreno, the former UFC Flyweight Champion, arrives in Des Moines with a wealth of experience and a determined spirit. His career trajectory has been nothing short of remarkable, marked by intense battles and impressive victories. Moreno's fighting style is characterized by exceptional grappling and submission skills, often overwhelming opponents with his relentless pressure and suffocating ground game. However, even the best fighters have vulnerabilities. While his cardio is exceptional, and his striking has improved significantly, a weakness might lie in facing exceptionally powerful strikers who can keep the fight standing.

• Former UFC Flyweight Champion: Moreno's reign as champion solidified his place among the elite.
• Exceptional Grappling and Submission Skills: His ground game is a constant threat, often leading to decisive finishes.
• Recent Wins against: Deiveson Figueiredo (twice!), Alexandre Pantoja, and Askar Askarov highlight his recent dominance.
• Potential Weaknesses: Facing opponents with superior knockout power who can consistently avoid his takedowns could pose a challenge.

Kai Kara-France's Path to UFC Des Moines

Kai Kara-France brings a distinctly different style to the octagon. His background in Muay Thai and kickboxing is evident in his devastating striking power and speed. He’s a counter-puncher extraordinaire, expertly utilizing his footwork and timing to land crippling blows. While his striking is undoubtedly his greatest weapon, his grappling defense and ability to handle prolonged ground battles could be areas for improvement.

• Exceptional Muay Thai and Kickboxing Base: His striking precision and power are his most significant assets.
• Aggressive Striking and Power: Kara-France is known for his ability to deliver knockout blows.
• Recent Wins against: Performances against Rogerio Bontorin and Cody Garbrandt showcase his elite-level striking.
• Potential Weaknesses: A strong wrestler who can consistently take him down could disrupt his rhythm and expose his grappling defense.

Analyzing the Figueiredo vs. Sandhagen Fight

The matchup between Moreno and Kara-France promises a fascinating clash of styles. Moreno's grappling mastery will be pitted against Kara-France's devastating striking. Moreno's success will hinge on his ability to secure takedowns and control the fight on the ground. For Kara-France, maintaining distance, utilizing his superior speed and power, and landing significant strikes will be crucial.

• Style Matchup Analysis: Striking vs. Grappling – a classic MMA battle of wills.
• Potential Strategic Advantages: Moreno needs to dictate the pace and prevent Kara-France from finding his rhythm. Kara-France needs to maintain distance and land those powerful strikes.
• Prediction and Reasoning for the Outcome: This is a truly difficult fight to predict. Moreno's grappling is exceptional, but Kara-France's striking power is a major threat. A slight edge might go to Moreno due to his well-rounded game.
• Key Moments to Watch Out For: Early takedown attempts by Moreno and Kara-France’s ability to counter and keep the fight standing.

The Impact of the Des Moines Fight

The UFC Des Moines fight holds significant implications for both fighters. A victory for either Moreno or Kara-France would drastically improve their UFC rankings, bringing them closer to a potential title shot. The loser will still retain a high ranking, but the road to a championship bout might become steeper. The outcome will significantly shape the flyweight division's landscape and future title contention.

Conclusion

The Figueiredo vs. Sandhagen fight (Moreno vs. Kara-France) in Des Moines on May 3rd is shaping up to be a truly unmissable event. Our analysis highlights the contrasting styles, strategic considerations, and significant implications for both fighters’ futures. This is a fight with high stakes and potentially massive consequences for the flyweight division. Don't miss the electrifying Figueiredo vs. Sandhagen (Moreno vs. Kara-France) UFC Fight Night in Des Moines on May 3rd! Get your tickets now and witness this incredible matchup of top contenders in the flyweight division! Stay tuned for more UFC news and analysis. Learn more about the UFC Fight Night events and other upcoming MMA fights.