The UFC returned to Iowa after two decades with a Fight Night that showcased some exciting matchups. While not packed with big names, the event delivered entertaining fights that left fans with plenty to discuss.
One standout from the night was Azamat Bekoev’s dominant performance against Ryan Loder in the middleweight division. Bekoev’s victory highlighted his potential as a rising star to watch in the UFC.
Another revelation came in the form of Montel Jackson’s impressive showing in the bantamweight division. Jackson’s victory over Daniel Marcos proved his capability as a dark horse contender in the UFC’s competitive 135-pound weight class.
However, the event also raised concerns about the future of veteran fighter Santiago Ponzinibbio. Following a tough loss to Daniel Rodriguez, it may be time for Ponzinibbio to consider retiring from professional MMA competition.
Reinier de Ridder’s dominant performance against Bo Nickal was a highlight of the night, showcasing his skills and potentially derailing the hype around Nickal’s promising career in the UFC’s middleweight division.
The main event saw Cory Sandhagen deliver a memorable performance, securing a victory over Deiveson Figueiredo with a rare leglock finish. Sandhagen’s win solidified his status as a top contender in the bantamweight division and raised questions about his potential for a title shot.
Overall, UFC Fight Night: Cory Sandhagen vs. Deiveson Figueiredo provided fans with thrilling matchups and notable performances that will shape the future of the promotion’s various weight classes.
As the MMA world continues to evolve, events like these serve as crucial platforms for fighters to showcase their skills, make their mark in the sport, and pave their way towards championship contention.
🔗 Reddit Discussions
- Unpopular Opinion – Israel Adesanya maybe highly technical and leagues above the middleweight contenders but he still is one of the most boring fighters in the UFC and this would be more evident if the commentators were not so biased.
- I am undefeated super middleweight top contender Edgar Berlanga, (22-0, 17 KO’s) and September 14th I’ll be fighting Canelo Alvarez on PBC Pay-Per-View. But first, I’ll be here Monday 8/5 at 9am PT/12pm ET to answer your questions. Ask me anything!
- DDP on the Middleweight division: “If [Khamzat] beat Whittaker I would love to fight Khamzat. In my opinion, should Whittaker beat Khamzat, I don’t think it warrants him a title shot. Honestly would love to see him and Strickland fight it out for #1 contender fight.”