UFC Fight Night Des Moines: Full Results & Future Matchups turned into an unforgettable showcase of elite mixed martial arts, featuring medical stoppages, breakout performances, and dramatic shifts in the rankings. Headlined by Cory Sandhagen vs. Deiveson Figueiredo and capped off with Bo Nickal’s first professional loss, this event delivered everything fight fans crave.
UFC Fight Night Des Moines Recap: Stunning Finishes, Rising Contenders & What’s Next
Cory Sandhagen Dismantles Figueiredo in Clinical Main Event Performance
Cory Sandhagen proved why he’s one of the most technically gifted bantamweights in the UFC. Utilizing sharp footwork, creative angles, and elite striking precision, he kept Deiveson Figueiredo off-balance from the opening bell.
Key Moments in the Fight:
- 🥋 Distance Management: Sandhagen used long-range attacks—jabs, front kicks, and switch stances—to keep Figueiredo from closing the gap.
- 🦵 Relentless Leg Kicks: Targeting the calf early disrupted Figueiredo’s explosiveness.
- 🛡️ Takedown Defense: Sandhagen stuffed every grappling attempt with poise.
The fight came to an unexpected conclusion in Round 2, when a knee injury forced Figueiredo out, handing Sandhagen a decisive TKO victory. This win places Sandhagen firmly in the conversation for the next title shot.
Reinier de Ridder Shocks Bo Nickal with Vicious Body Shot KO
In the co-main event, submission specialist and former ONE Champion Reinier de Ridder handed Bo Nickal his first career loss with a strategic, composed performance.
De Ridder’s Strategy Breakdown:
- 🧠 Anti-Wrestling Game Plan: Maintained a low base to neutralize Nickal’s takedowns.
- 💥 Body Targeting: Accurate shots to the ribs began slowing Nickal’s pace.
- ⚔️ Tactical Grappling Exchanges: Used clinches and scrambles to frustrate the NCAA star.
The bout ended just under two minutes into Round 2 with a devastating knee to the liver, marking a massive statement win for de Ridder and a tough reality check for Nickal.
Full Main Card Results—Explosive Finishes & Tactical Wins
- ✅ Daniel Rodriguez def. Santiago Ponzinibbio – TKO, Round 3 (1:12)
- ✅ Montel Jackson def. Daniel Marcos – Unanimous Decision (30-27 3)
- ✅ Serhiy Sidey def. Cameron Smotherman – Unanimous Decision (30-27, 29-28 x2)
- ✅ Mason Jones def. Jeremy Stephens – Unanimous Decision (30-27 x3)
Preliminary Card Recap—New Faces, Big Impact
- ✅ Yana Santos def. Miesha Tate – Unanimous Decision (29-28 x3)
- ✅ Azamat Bekoev def. Ryan Loder – TKO, Round 1 (2:44)
- ✅ Gillian Robertson def. Marina Rodriguez – TKO, Round 2 (2:07)
- ✅ Quang Le def. Gaston Bolanos – Submission (RNC), Round 2 (1:54)
- ✅ Thomas Petersen def. Don’Tale Mayes – Unanimous Decision (30-25, 30-26 x2)
- ✅ Juliana Miller def. Ivana Petrovic—Split Decision (29-28 3)
UFC Fight Night Des Moines: What’s Next? Potential Matchups Following UFC Des Moines
🔥 Cory Sandhagen vs. Merab Dvalishvili
A high-tempo showdown that could determine the next bantamweight title challenger.
🔥 Reinier de Ridder vs. Sean Strickland
Striker vs. grappler war with potential top-5 implications in the middleweight division.
🔥 Bo Nickal’s Redemption Fight
Nickal may return against rising talents like Anthony Hernandez or Andre Muniz as he rebuilds momentum.
Post-Fight Reactions & Fighter Callouts
🗣️ Sandhagen Eyes Gold
In his post-fight comments, Sandhagen wasted no time calling out the winner of O’Malley vs. Dvalishvili, reinforcing his readiness for UFC gold.
🗣️ De Ridder Sends Warning to Strickland
After stopping Nickal, de Ridder turned his attention to Sean Strickland, claiming his grappling depth and striking diversity would pose a serious threat.
Event Impact: Rankings, Momentum & UFC Narratives
- 📈 Cory Sandhagen likely moves into title eliminator territory in the bantamweight rankings.
- 📈 Reinier de Ridder breaks into middleweight relevance with a top-15 placement.
- 📉 Bo Nickal experiences his first career setback, prompting questions about his development path.
UFC Fight Night Des Moines: Attendance & Broadcast Success
- 🎟️ Sold-Out Crowd: A full-capacity audience brought nonstop energy to the arena.
- 📺 Strong Ratings: Broadcast and digital streaming metrics showed high engagement.
- 💰 Bonus-Worthy Moments: Dana White teased multiple post-fight bonuses due to standout performances.
Final Thoughts: UFC Fight Night Des Moines Was a Game-Changer
From tactical brilliance to shocking finishes, UFC Fight Night Des Moines lived up to the hype. With new contenders rising and division dynamics shifting, the event set the tone for a thrilling summer fight calendar.
Stay tuned to the UFC’s official site for breaking news, rankings updates, and upcoming card announcements.
✅ SEO Keywords:
- UFC Des Moines Results
- UFC Fight Night Des Moines
- UFC Fight Night 2025
- Cory Sandhagen vs Figueiredo
- Bo Nickal first loss
- Reinier de Ridder UFC
- UFC full fight recap
- UFC bantamweight rankings 2025
- UFC middleweight contenders
- UFC knockout highlights
- UFC upcoming fights 2025
✅ Hashtags:
#UFCDesMoines #UFCHighlights #CorySandhagen #DeivesonFigueiredo #BoNickal #ReinierDeRidder #UFCFightNight #MMARecap #UFCResults #UFCTKO