The UFC is set to make a triumphant return to Iowa after a 25-year hiatus, bringing a thrilling Fight Night event to Des Moines on Saturday, May 3, 2025. Headlining the card at Wells Fargo Arena is a high-stakes bantamweight showdown between No. 4 ranked Cory Sandhagen and No. 5 Deiveson Figueiredo—a matchup with significant implications for the 135-pound title picture.
Main Event: Sandhagen vs. Figueiredo
Cory Sandhagen (17-5), fighting out of Aurora, Colorado, is eager to rebound after a unanimous decision loss to Umar Nurmagomedov in August 2024. Known for his dynamic striking and relentless pace, Sandhagen boasts notable victories over Marlon Vera, Song Yadong, and Frankie Edgar. A win over Figueiredo could propel “The Sandman” back into title contention.
Deiveson Figueiredo (24-4-1), the former flyweight champion from Soure, Pará, Brazil, has made a strong impression since moving up to bantamweight. After a three-fight win streak, including victories over Cody Garbrandt and Marlon Vera, Figueiredo faced a setback with a unanimous decision loss to Petr Yan in November. At 37, “Daico” is determined to climb the bantamweight ranks and secure another title shot.
Co-Main Event and Featured Bouts
The co-main event features a compelling middleweight clash between undefeated prospect Bo Nickal (7-0) and seasoned Dutch grappler Reinier de Ridder (19-2). Nickal, a three-time NCAA Division I wrestling champion, aims to continue his ascent in the UFC, while de Ridder seeks to hand Nickal his first professional loss.
Other notable matchups on the card include:
- Jeremy Stephens vs. Mason Jones (Lightweight): Iowa native Stephens returns to the UFC to face the dynamic Welsh fighter Jones.
- Montel Jackson vs. Daniel Marcos (Bantamweight): Jackson, ranked No. 15, takes on the undefeated Marcos in a battle of rising contenders.
- Marina Rodriguez vs. Gillian Robertson (Strawweight): A pivotal bout between top-15 strawweights aiming to climb the rankings.
- Miesha Tate vs. Yana Santos (Bantamweight): Former champion Tate faces off against the seasoned Santos in a clash of veterans.
Broadcast and Ticket Information
UFC Fight Night: Sandhagen vs. Figueiredo will be broadcast live on ESPN2 and ESPN Deportes, with streaming available on ESPN+ in both English and Spanish. The prelims begin at 7:00 PM MST, followed by the main card at 10:00 PM MST.
Tickets are on sale through the Iowa Events Center, with a limit of eight per person. UFC Fight Club members had early access starting March 19, and a special internet pre-sale was available to UFC newsletter subscribers on March 20.
For more details and the latest updates, visit the official UFC event page: (Full Event Card announced for UFC Fight Night at Wells Fargo Arena May 3 | Iowa Events Center).
