Cory Sandhagen’s Impressive Performance Ends UFC on ESPN 67 Main Event Abruptly
Cory Sandhagen delivered a stellar performance that led to an injury to Deiveson Figueiredo, resulting in an unexpected end to the main event at UFC on ESPN 67.
Sandhagen (18-5 MMA, 11-4 UFC) dominated the fight against Figueiredo (24-5-1 MMA, 13-5-1 UFC) with relentless pace. The bantamweight clash headlined the event at Wells Fargo Arena in Des Moines, Iowa. At 4:08 of Round 2, Figueiredo tapped out due to a knee injury suffered during a ground scramble.
Following initial striking exchanges, Sandhagen showcased his clinch work against Figueiredo. Although no takedown occurred, Figueiredo managed to land a solid uppercut. Subsequently, the fighters engaged in a brief ground battle, where Figueiredo attempted an ankle lock but faced a barrage of punches from Sandhagen.
In Round 2, Sandhagen continued his dominance with striking exchanges, eventually securing a takedown and unleashing ground strikes. Figueiredo persisted with ankle lock attempts, leading to a scramble for position.
During the positional battle, Sandhagen inadvertently caused an injury to Figueiredo’s knee, prompting the latter to tap out due to the pain.
In his post-fight interview, Sandhagen confidently stated that the injury resulted from his technical prowess on the ground.
“It wasn’t a shame,” Sandhagen emphasized. “If you don’t know how to play 50-50, your knee gets popped. It happened to T.J. (Dillashaw), it happened to Figgy. If you just don’t know how to play that position, you lose, and I’m better there. I put him there, I sat up, it popped, and that’s how it goes.”
Sandhagen, ranked No. 4 in the bantamweight division, called for a title shot and expressed willingness to serve as a backup or face the winner of the Dvalishvili vs. O’Malley title rematch at UFC 316 on June 7.
“I’ve dreamed of being a world champion for more than half of my life now,” Sandhagen declared. “UFC, please give me an opportunity to show how great I am to the whole world, please.”
With this victory, Sandhagen bounces back from a previous loss and reestablishes his position in the division. Figueiredo, a former flyweight champion, faces his second consecutive defeat.
Latest UFC on ESPN 67 Results
- Cory Sandhagen def. Deiveson Figueiredo via TKO (injury) – Round 2, 4:08
- Reinier de Ridder def. Bo Nickal via TKO (strikes) – Round 2, 1:53
- Daniel Rodriguez def. Santiago Ponzinibbio via TKO (punches) – Round 3, 1:12
- Montel Jackson def. Daniel Marcos via unanimous decision (30-27, 30-27, 30-27)
- Serhiy Sidey def. Cameron Smotherman via unanimous decision (30-27, 29-28, 29-28)
- Mason Jones def. Jeremy Stephens via unanimous decision (30-27, 30-27, 30-27)
- Yana Santos def. Miesha Tate via unanimous decision (29-28, 29-28, 29-28)
- Azamat Bekoev def. Ryan Loder via TKO (punches) – Round 1, 2:44
- Gillian Robertson def. Marina Rodriguez via TKO (punches) – Round 2, 2:07
- Quang Le def. Gaston Bolanos via technical submission (rear-naked choke) – Round 2, 1:54
- Thomas Petersen def. Don’Tale Mayes via unanimous decision (30-25, 30-26, 30-26)
- Juliana Miller def. Ivana Petrovic via unanimous decision (29-28, 29-28, 29-28)