Sandhagen Vs. Figueiredo: UFC Fight Night Predictions And Analysis

Aria Freeman

5 min read

Post on May 04, 2025

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Cory Sandhagen's Strengths and Weaknesses

Sandhagen's Striking Prowess

Sandhagen's striking is a thing of beauty. His speed, precision, and power combine to create a truly devastating offensive arsenal. He's known for his powerful kicks, particularly his spinning attacks, and precise punches, often landing combinations with pinpoint accuracy. His striking has been the foundation of many victories.

• Examples of best striking performances: His knockout of Frankie Edgar showcased his brutal power, while his wins against Raphael Assunção and Song Yadong highlight his technical precision and ability to dismantle opponents from a distance.
• Sandhagen striking is a potent weapon, leaving many opponents vulnerable to his dynamic and unpredictable attacks.

Sandhagen's Grappling Game

While primarily a striker, Sandhagen possesses respectable Sandhagen grappling skills. His takedown defense is generally solid, allowing him to keep the fight where he excels – on the feet. His submission abilities, while not as refined as his striking, are still a threat. He possesses a dangerous guillotine choke.

• Examples of grappling successes and failures: He's successfully defended takedowns against several opponents. However, he's shown vulnerabilities against more skilled wrestlers who can consistently take him down. This makes his takedown defense a key area to watch in this fight.

Sandhagen's Potential Weaknesses

Despite his impressive skills, Sandhagen possesses certain Sandhagen vulnerabilities. His reliance on striking can leave him susceptible to skilled grapplers who can neutralize his offensive game. Opponents who have successfully countered his aggression by using strong wrestling and grappling have found success. Defensive weaknesses against high-level wrestlers remain a concern.

• Areas where opponents have found success: Opponents who have successfully taken him down and controlled him on the ground have put Sandhagen under pressure. Counter-fighting also becomes crucial if he's unable to dictate the pace of the fight. Figueiredo could utilize this weakness.

Brandon Moreno's Strengths and Weaknesses

Moreno's Ground Game Mastery

Moreno is renowned for his Moreno grappling and submission expertise. His ground game is arguably world-class; he’s a master of control, seamlessly transitioning between positions to secure advantageous submissions. His ability to secure takedowns and maintain top control is exceptional.

• Examples of impressive submission victories: His multiple wins against Deiveson Figueiredo highlight his submission prowess, showcasing his ability to finish fights from dominant positions. His ground control is almost suffocating for his opponents.

Moreno's Striking Improvements

While initially known for his grappling, Moreno has significantly improved his striking. His improved striking now features more power, improved accuracy, and effective counter-striking. He's become more comfortable exchanging strikes, adding another layer to his already dangerous game.

• Evidence of improved striking: His recent fights have demonstrated a noticeable improvement in his striking accuracy and power, showing he's no longer solely reliant on his grappling.

Moreno's Potential Weaknesses

Despite his well-rounded game, Moreno does have Moreno weaknesses. His striking defense, while improved, can still be exploited by powerful and accurate strikers like Sandhagen. His cardio, while usually strong, has occasionally been tested in longer fights, potentially giving Sandhagen an opening in later rounds.

• Examples of opponents who found success: Opponents who have been able to successfully keep the fight standing and land significant strikes have given Moreno difficulties. Sandhagen's speed and power could pose a similar threat.

Fight Prediction and Analysis

Potential Fight Scenarios

The Sandhagen vs. Figueiredo fight could play out in several ways.

• Scenario 1: Sandhagen wins by KO/TKO: Sandhagen could dominate the fight with his striking, overwhelming Moreno before he has the chance to establish his grappling.
• Scenario 2: Moreno wins by submission: Moreno could secure an early takedown, control the fight on the ground, and force a submission.
• Scenario 3: Close decision: A back-and-forth fight with both fighters finding moments of success could lead to a closely contested decision.

Final Prediction and Reasoning

My final prediction is that Brandon Moreno will win by decision. While Sandhagen's striking is a considerable threat, Moreno's superior grappling and improved striking defense give him the edge. I believe Moreno's ability to secure takedowns and control the fight on the ground will be the deciding factor. His improved striking allows him to avoid prolonged striking exchanges against Sandhagen, thus minimizing the risk of being knocked out. The Sandhagen vs. Figueiredo winner will likely be determined by Moreno’s ability to execute his game plan effectively.

Conclusion

Cory Sandhagen's explosive striking presents a significant threat, but Brandon Moreno's superior grappling and evolving striking ability give him the advantage in this Sandhagen vs. Figueiredo fight. Moreno's ground control and submission expertise likely outweigh Sandhagen's striking prowess, leading to a victory via decision. I anticipate a tactical and competitive fight.

Share your predictions for the Sandhagen vs. Figueiredo fight in the comments below! Also, check out our other UFC predictions and analysis articles on the site for more Sandhagen vs. Figueiredo fight preview and in-depth Sandhagen Figueiredo analysis.