The main event on 3 May ended in a bizarre manner when Cory Sandhagen got his arm after defeating Deiveson Figueiredo.
After a gripping exchange in the second round, the Brazilian suffered a knee injury that led to Sandhagen Figueiredo in des Moines.
The official result has fallen like a TKO because of a knee injury, but it cannot be denied that 'The Sandman' did an impressive performance everywhere.
So much so that he earned the attention of the current UFC Bantamweight champion with Merab Dvalishvili congratulation with Sandhagen.
The 33-year-old now has thought about his victory via social media while he continues to push to a title shot with UFC 316 that will take place next month.
Photo by Josh Hedges/Zuffa LLC
Cory Sandhagen focuses on the title of the Bantamweight after having thought about his “flawless” victory over DeiveSon Figueiredo
Although the fight may have ended in a somewhat overwhelming way, the goal of Cory Sandhagen is the title of Bantamweight and took a step in it on 3 May.
The #4-ranking competitor has been considered one of the best hunters in the world at 135 pounds for some time, but various setbacks have prevented him from winning the big one.
Sandhagen was incredibly proud of his victory over DeiveSon Figueiredo when thinking about the fight and described his performance as “flawless”.
“Ayyy let's go Gooo! Errorless against the biggest puncher in the division – who has confronted him more and can say that? Blessed, man.”
He further said that it was an honor to share the cage with the former flight weight champion while talking about how unpredictable the sport can be, so that the victories only feel better.
'The Sandman' has set his sights on the Bantamweight Gold, because he has already stated that he will be present for UFC 316, where Merab Dvalishvili is in a Rematch Sean O'Malley.
“I'm going to keep doing my best. I'm just a guy trying to reach something that a young, Kid Cory had the dream of – world champion. We got closer tonight. So hell yes.”
Cory Sandhagen is adamant to have caused the injury of Diiveson Figueiredo
In the immediate aftermath of the main event, some fans may have believed that Deiveson Figueiredo had sustained a freak knee injury.
The reason Cory Sandhagen is so happy with his performance is that he knows that he let this happen thanks to his knowledge of the incredibly difficult 50:50 position.
He said in the press conference after the fight he knew exactly what he did to create this result after he had done it to TJ Dillashaw in the past when they fought in 2021.
“It was like a POP convenience. The function is called 50:50. If you don't know how to play 50:50, you will pop your knee … If I sit down and leans back, your knee will pop … That was not like a casual matter.”
Although Petr Yan is also in the mix at 135 pounds, Sandhagen is perhaps in a better position because the Russian has already been defeated in the past by both Merab Dvalishvili and Sean O'Malley.