It has been a quarter of a century since the UFC last held an event in Iowa, but for UFC Des Moines, the promotion has pulled out all the stops. The lineup for Saturday’s event is top-notch, especially by today’s Fight Night standards. Hardcore fans are in for a treat, with a stacked card that includes a main event featuring top contenders Cory Sandhagen and former flyweight champ Deiveson Figueiredo. Both fighters are looking to bounce back from losses and stay in the title contention conversation.
The main card showcases the exceptional 135-pound talent pool with two other exciting matchups, but all eyes will be on the co-main event at 185 pounds. Former two-division ONE Championship titleholder Reinier de Ridder will face uber-prospect Bo Nickal in a highly anticipated showdown.
The return of former bantamweight champion Miesha Tate and fan-favorite slugger Jeremy Stephens adds even more excitement to UFC Des Moines. This event promises to be a thrilling spectacle for MMA fans.
In terms of predictions, Sandhagen is favored to win against Figueiredo in the 135-pound bout, while Nickal is expected to come out on top against de Ridder at 185 pounds. Ponzinibbio is the pick for victory in the 170-pound matchup.
Other notable fights include Montel Jackson facing off against Daniel Marcos at 135 pounds, Cameron Smotherman taking on Serhiy Sidey in another 135-pound bout, and Jeremy Stephens going up against Mason Jones at 155 pounds.
The preliminary notes also highlight the return of Miesha Tate and Marina Rodriguez, who are looking to make a statement in their respective fights. Overall, UFC Des Moines promises to deliver an action-packed night of fights for fans to enjoy.