Last Chance Showdown: Why Sandhagen vs. Figueiredo Could Be Their Final Title Shot

I’ve been covering UFC fights for over a decade, and some matchups just have that special tension—that feeling that everything is on the line. This Saturday’s UFC Fight Night main event between Cory Sandhagen and Deiveson Figueiredo isn’t just another bantamweight clash. It’s potentially their last shot at relevance in the title picture.

The stakes couldn’t be higher for these two elite fighters. Both men stand at career crossroads, desperately needing a win to keep their championship dreams alive.

Two Contenders on the Brink

Let’s be real—the bantamweight division is a shark tank. One loss at this level can send you to the back of a very long line. For Sandhagen and Figueiredo, Saturday represents their opportunity to prove they still belong in title conversations.

Sandhagen (16-4) has been so close yet so far from UFC gold. His highlight-reel flying knee KO of Frankie Edgar and spinning wheel kick finish of Marlon Moraes showed us his ceiling—but losses to Aljamain Sterling, Petr Yan, and Merab Dvalishvili have kept the belt just out of reach.

Figueiredo (23-3-1), the former flyweight champion, moved up to bantamweight after losing his 125-pound title to Brandon Moreno. While he’s 2-0 since moving up, including an impressive win over Rob Font, questions remain about whether he can hang with the division’s elite.

Why This Fight Matters More Than Most

At 32, Sandhagen isn’t old by any means, but in the fast-evolving bantamweight division, windows close quickly. He’s already lost to current champion Sean O’Malley’s last opponent (Dvalishvili), making his path back to a title shot complicated.

For Figueiredo, at 36, this is likely his final championship run in any weight class. The Brazilian has shown flashes of the same power that made him a destroyer at flyweight, but the clock is ticking on his athletic prime.

Stylistic Chess Match

What makes this fight so intriguing is the clash of styles. Sandhagen is the division’s most creative striker—a lanky, fluid combination puncher who fights like a smaller version of Dominick Cruz but with more finishing power.

Figueiredo brings that one-punch knockout power and guillotine choke that has ended many fights. His compact frame allows him to explode into range with surprising speed.

I expect Sandhagen to use his 5-inch height advantage to keep Figueiredo at the end of his jab. But “Figgy” only needs one opening to change everything with his right hand.

The Title Picture Impact

With champion Sean O’Malley likely facing Merab Dvalishvili next, the winner of Saturday’s fight could be just one more victory away from a title shot. The loser? They might never get another chance.

That’s the cruel reality of the bantamweight division right now. It’s stacked with killers like Umar Nurmagomedov, Petr Yan, and Marlon Vera all vying for the same opportunity.

What the Fighters Are Saying

Sandhagen has been refreshingly honest in the lead-up to this fight. “This is make or break for me,” he told reporters at Wednesday’s media day. “I’ve been in the top five for years, but I need to show I can beat another elite guy to earn that title shot.”

Figueiredo’s confidence remains unwavering: “I moved to bantamweight to become a two-division champion. Sandhagen is just another obstacle. I will finish him and demand my title shot.”

Prediction and Final Thoughts

This is the type of fight that’s incredibly difficult to call. Sandhagen has the technical advantage and should win minutes of each round with his volume and movement. But Figueiredo has that game-changing power that can erase technical deficits in an instant.

If I’m putting my prediction on record, I’m taking Sandhagen by decision in a fight that will have some scary moments when Figueiredo connects. The Colorado native’s cardio advantage should be significant in rounds 4 and 5.

Whatever happens, tune in Saturday night. When fighters are competing with their backs against the wall and title aspirations hanging by a thread, that’s when MMA is at its most thrilling.

The bantamweight division won’t wait for either of these men. It’s now or never.

Source: CBS Sports