The UFC Fight Night event on May 3, 2025, in Des Moines, Iowa, delivered intense action and unexpected moments. Headlined by the highly anticipated bantamweight clash between Cory Sandhagen and Deiveson Figueiredo, the night ended in dramatic fashion due to an unfortunate injury.
Here’s a full breakdown of the event, including main card highlights, Figueiredo’s performance, and bonus winners.
🥊 Main Event: Cory Sandhagen Defeats Deiveson Figueiredo via TKO (Injury)
What was shaping up to be a technical war between Cory Sandhagen and Deiveson Figueiredo came to a sudden end in round 2.
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Sandhagen controlled the early exchanges with superior movement and timing.
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In the second round, during a ground scramble, Figueiredo suffered a left knee injury.
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The fight was stopped at 4:08 of Round 2, awarding Sandhagen a TKO victory via injury.
📌 A disappointing end for Figueiredo, who had shown promise in the opening moments.
📊 Figueiredo’s Performance Overview
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This loss brings Figueiredo’s bantamweight record to 3-2 since moving up from flyweight.
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Prior to this bout, he had defeated Marlon Vera by unanimous decision in August 2024.
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At 37 years old, he now faces a critical moment in his career pending medical evaluation.
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💥 Main Card Highlights
🧨 Bo Nickal vs. Reinier de Ridder
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In a shocking upset, Reinier de Ridder handed Bo Nickal his first professional loss via 2nd-round TKO.
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De Ridder’s experience and composure were key.
🥊 Santiago Ponzinibbio vs. Daniel Rodriguez
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The Argentine striker showcased precise boxing en route to a unanimous decision victory.
👊 Miesha Tate vs. Yana Santos
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Tate returned with a solid performance, outpointing Santos over three rounds in her comeback fight.
🏅 Fight Night Bonuses
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Fight of the Night: Santiago Ponzinibbio vs. Daniel Rodriguez
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Performance of the Night: Reinier de Ridder & Mason Jones
🩺 What’s Next for Deiveson Figueiredo?
Figueiredo’s team confirmed that the knee injury will be fully assessed this week to determine the extent of damage.
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A long recovery could delay his return to the cage.
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As a former flyweight champion, Figueiredo still holds name value, but future matchups may hinge on his health and long-term plans.