Don’t blink — on May 4, 2025, Cory Sandhagen is set to face Deiveson Figueiredo in what promises to be a bloodbath from these two violent Bantamweight elites.
Without further ado, let’s get swinging and analyse this gladiator fight.
Cory ‘The Sandman’ Sandhagen is Always Elite
The Sandman (17-5-0) always has had one mission when it comes to MMA: utmost brutality.
Tall and lanky and creative, Sandhagen has always been a fantastic striker with a pocketful of slick submissions.
But he’s a lot more than that: the Sandman, as apparent to many fight fans, has a sadistic spirit to him, where he somehow pulls himself out of deep waters through pure grit and toughness.
There’s an undeniable rawness to Sandhagen that makes him hard to count out no matter his opponent.
Sandhagen also accompanies his toughness with insane cardio and unpredictable striking like prime Tony Ferguson.
Old, but Still a God of War
Deiveson “Deus da Guerra” (God of War) Figueiredo is already 37 years old this year.
Figueiredo (24-4-1), like Sandhagen, has been in numerous wars throughout his career.
I mean, who can forget his incredible rivalry with Brandon Moreno?
Deus da Guerra always brings blood, possessing massive power and an otherwordly chin (he has never been knocked out); the Brazillian may be old, but his experience in so many wars means he has honed his skills to the maximum.
Figueiredo also has elite scrambling and fears nothing. Make no mistake — he’s still very much a deity of bloodlust and violence, even at 37.
The God of War Steps Into Quicksand
Sandhagen’s absurd 180cm (5’11”) frame and 177cm (69.5 inch) reach are going to come in handy against Figueiredo, who stands at 165cm (5’5″) with a 173cm (68 inch) reach.
Yet, Sandhagen’s physical attributes are likely to only be a slight benefit against the grizzled Figueiredo. After all, the God of War has frequently faced taller fighters — Brandon Moreno is 170cm (5’7″) tall with a 178cm (70 inch) reach; Marlon Vera is 173cm (5’8″) tall with a 179cm (70.5inch) reach — and won.
Figueiredo is undoubtedly going to make this a dogfight. He is going to rush Sandhagen down with pure chaos.
But…
I just don’t see Figgy winning this.
First, the man is already 37.
Second, Figueiredo still only has 4 fights in the Bantamweight division, while Sandhagen has lived and breathed in the division for years.
Third, although Figueiredo has a seemingly unbreakable chin and always throws hands, Sandhagen is simply too good on the feet; he should be able to contain Figueiredo’s onslaught of attacks.
Verdict: The Sandman Wins
I see the Sandman keeping this technical on the feet and using his IQ to his advantage. He’s going to gas out Figueiredo while maintaining good distance management.
The only way I can imagine the God of War emerging victorious is to cause chaos in the early rounds, swarming Sandhagen with blitzes and wild exchanges.
Still, I doubt Sandhagen will be so reckless as to stand and bang with Figgy in the early rounds.
I’m going with a UD win for the Sandman.
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