Top Bantamweights Cory Sandhagen (#4) and Deiveson Figueiredo (#5) to Headline Historic Card at Wells Fargo Arena
Featured Co-Main Event: Reinier De Ridder (#13) vs. Bo Nickal
Tickets On Sale Friday, March 21
Des Moines, IA – Ultimate Fighting Championship® is set to make history with its first-ever event in Des Moines, Iowa, bringing world-class mixed martial arts action to the Wells Fargo Arena on Saturday, May 3. Headlining UFC® FIGHT NIGHT: SANDHAGEN vs. FIGUEIREDO is a high-stakes bantamweight showdown between No. 4 ranked Cory Sandhagen and No. 5 ranked former flyweight champion Deiveson Figueiredo.
In the co-main event, No. 13 ranked middleweight contender Reinier De Ridder faces off against undefeated rising star Bo Nickal.
The action-packed fight card will be broadcast live on ESPN2, ESPN Deportes, and simulcast on ESPN+ in both English and Spanish. Prelims begin at 6 p.m. CT, followed by the main card at 9 p.m. CT.
Iowa: A Stronghold for UFC Fans and Fighters
Iowa has long been known as a hotbed for mixed martial arts, producing some of the sport’s most respected athletes and UFC legends. Hall of Famer Pat Miletich, who helped pioneer MMA training in the Midwest, laid the groundwork for Iowa’s deep MMA roots at Miletich Fighting Systems in Bettendorf. His gym produced several UFC champions, including Matt Hughes, Jens Pulver, and Tim Sylvia, along with Robbie Lawler, who was recently announced as a 2025 UFC Hall of Fame inductee. With this legacy and a passionate fanbase, Iowa has consistently been a prominent market for UFC viewership, making Des Moines the perfect stage for UFC’s first event in the state since UFC 26, which was held in Cedar Rapids in June 2000.
TICKET INFORMATION
Tickets for UFC® FIGHT NIGHT: SANDHAGEN vs. FIGUEIREDO go on sale Friday, March 21 at 10 a.m. CT via Hy-VeeTix.com, with a limit of eight (8) tickets per person.
- UFC Fight Club® members can purchase early tickets on Wednesday, March 19 at 10 a.m. CT at UFCFightClub.com.
- UFC newsletter subscribers can access an exclusive presale on Thursday, March 20 at 10 a.m. CT. Sign up at UFC.com.
Main Event Breakdown
Cory Sandhagen (17-5, fighting out of Aurora, Colo.) returns to the Octagon aiming to kick off 2025 with a statement victory. Known for his slick striking and exciting finishes, Sandhagen has defeated elite competition like Frankie Edgar, Marlon Moraes, and Song Yadong.
Deiveson Figueiredo (24-4-1, fighting out of Soure, Pará, Brazil), a former flyweight champion, has his sights set on bantamweight gold. He’s earned submission wins over Cody Garbrandt, Alex Perez, and Joseph Benavidez, and is looking to deliver a signature finish against Sandhagen to climb the 135-pound ranks.
Co-Main Event Highlight
Reinier De Ridder (19-2, fighting out of Breda, Netherlands), a former champion in another major promotion, has made waves in the UFC with wins over Kevin Holland and Gerald Meerschaert. He aims to stop Bo Nickal’s momentum and break into the Top 10.
Bo Nickal (7-0, fighting out of State College, Pa.), a three-time NCAA Division I wrestling champion, is undefeated in MMA with dominant victories over Paul Craig, Cody Brundage, and Jamie Pickett. He’s looking for the biggest win of his career and a spot in the middleweight Top 15.
Additional Bouts On The Card Include:
- Jeremy Stephens vs. Mason Jones (Lightweight)
- #15 Montel Jackson vs. Daniel Marcos (Bantamweight)
- Thomas Petersen vs. Don’Tale Mayes (Heavyweight)
- Ryan Loder vs. Azamat Bekoev (Middleweight)
- Junior Tafa vs. Tuco Tokkos (Light Heavyweight)
- #9 Marina Rodriguez vs. #12 Gillian Robertson (Strawweight)
- #10 Yana Santos vs. #11 Miesha Tate (Bantamweight)
- Santiago Ponzinibbio vs. Daniel Rodriguez (Welterweight)
- Trevor Peek vs. JeongYeong Lee (Featherweight)
- Cameron Smotherman vs. Serhiy Sidey (Bantamweight)
Visit UFC.com for the latest updates and bout announcements. All bouts are live and subject to change.
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