Predicting The Winner: Sandhagen Vs. Figueiredo UFC Fight Night Analysis

Luna Greco

5 min read

Post on May 04, 2025

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Cory Sandhagen's Strengths and Weaknesses

Striking Prowess: A Striking Masterclass

Sandhagen's exceptional striking is his greatest asset. His arsenal is a thing of beauty.

• Diverse striking techniques: He utilizes a wide range of punches, kicks, knees, and elbows with exceptional precision.
• Lightning-fast combinations: Sandhagen's speed and accuracy allow him to unleash devastating combinations that often leave opponents reeling.
• Powerful kicks: His kicks, particularly his leg kicks, are known for their power and effectiveness in weakening opponents.
• Effective counter-punching: Sandhagen expertly anticipates his opponent's attacks and counters with powerful strikes.

His knockout of Frankie Edgar showcases his devastating power and accuracy; a perfectly timed counter right hand sealed the victory. His fight against Marlon Moraes also highlighted his ability to land significant strikes throughout the fight.

Defensive Gaps: Ground Game Vulnerability

While a dynamic striker, Sandhagen has shown vulnerabilities in his ground game.

• Susceptibility to takedowns: Opponents have successfully taken him down in the past, showcasing a weakness in his takedown defense.
• Occasional lapses in defensive grappling: Once on the ground, Sandhagen has sometimes struggled to regain his feet or effectively defend submissions.

His fights against Aljamain Sterling and Petr Yan revealed these vulnerabilities. Sterling, in particular, was able to successfully control Sandhagen on the mat.

Cardio and Stamina: A High-Output Fighter

Sandhagen's ability to maintain a high pace throughout a fight is a significant advantage.

• Consistent high-output fights: He rarely slows down, consistently pushing forward with pressure and strikes.
• Rarely shows signs of fatigue: Even in longer fights, he maintains a consistent output, demonstrating impressive stamina.

Analyzing his fight history consistently shows a fighter who doesn't fade. His ability to maintain a high pace is a key factor in his success.

Brandon Moreno's Strengths and Weaknesses

Grappling Dominance: A Ground Game Expert

Moreno is renowned for his exceptional grappling skills. His grappling is arguably the best in the flyweight division.

• Effective takedowns: He consistently secures takedowns, controlling the fight's pace and position.
• Strong ground control: Moreno excels at maintaining top position, controlling his opponents and delivering ground and pound.
• Submission expertise (rear-naked choke): His rear-naked choke is a particularly dangerous weapon, securing several victories via submission.

His dominant victories against Deiveson Figueiredo demonstrate his masterful grappling. He consistently controls opponents, limiting their offense while landing significant damage.

Striking Improvement: A Well-Rounded Fighter

While grappling is his strength, Moreno has demonstrably improved his striking.

• More powerful strikes: His punches are noticeably harder and more effective than in his earlier fights.
• Better combinations: He's become more skilled at stringing together effective combinations, adding to his offensive arsenal.
• Improved footwork: His footwork has become more fluid and precise, allowing him to create angles and better control distance.

Comparing his earlier fights to his recent performances highlights a significant improvement in his striking game. This has made him a more well-rounded and dangerous opponent.

Potential for Fatigue: Relentless Pressure's Price

Moreno's aggressive style can sometimes lead to fatigue.

• Fights where he showed signs of tiring in later rounds: In some of his longer fights, Moreno has demonstrated a drop in intensity in the later rounds.

While his relentless pressure is a major asset, it also comes at a cost. Managing his energy expenditure effectively will be crucial in this fight.

Style Matchup and Predicted Outcome

Key Factors: A Clash of Styles

Several key elements will determine the fight's outcome:

• Sandhagen's ability to avoid takedowns: His takedown defense will be crucial in keeping the fight standing where he holds an advantage.
• Moreno's ability to close the distance: If Moreno can consistently close the distance and take Sandhagen down, he can exploit his grappling advantage.
• The effectiveness of each fighter's striking and grappling: The fight will likely be determined by who can successfully implement their strengths and neutralize their opponent's.

Prediction and Reasoning: A Close Call

This is a very close fight to call, but I predict Brandon Moreno to win via decision. While Sandhagen possesses superior striking, Moreno's superior grappling, improved striking, and relentless pressure could prove decisive. If Moreno can successfully close the distance and secure takedowns, he can control the fight and potentially secure a decision victory. Sandhagen needs to keep this fight standing to win and avoid being taken down.

Conclusion: Sandhagen vs. Figueiredo - Who Will Prevail?

This Sandhagen vs. Figueiredo analysis highlights the contrasting strengths and weaknesses of both fighters. Sandhagen’s explosive striking poses a significant threat, but Moreno’s elite grappling and improved striking could be the deciding factors. My prediction favors Moreno due to his ability to dictate the pace and location of the fight.

Don't miss the exciting Sandhagen vs. Figueiredo fight! Share your predictions for this epic battle using #SandhagenVsFigueiredo and let's discuss who you think will win! This Sandhagen vs. Figueiredo analysis provides valuable insight, but ultimately, only the fight itself will reveal the true victor. Watch and enjoy the Sandhagen vs. Figueiredo showdown!