Sandhagen put on an excellent performance as he dominated Figueiredo en route to a second-round TKO after Figueiredo sustained a knee injury during a scramble on the mat.
The finishing moment might not have added to Sandhagen’s highlight reel, but “The Sand Man’s” performance throughout the bout meant there was no question over the victory, with the Colorado native looking the better man, both on the feet and on the mat.
And, after the fight, Sandhagen said he wasn’t disappointed with the way the fight finished, and said it was his skill and ability that helped earn him the stoppage.
“It wasn’t a shame,” he said.
“If you don’t know how to play 50-50, your knee gets popped. It happened to TJ [Dillashaw], it happened to Figgy. If you don’t know how to play that position, you lose.
“I’m better there, so I put him there, I sat up, it popped, and that’s how it goes.”
Sandhagen looked more aggressive and positive in his approach against a dangerous opponent in Figueiredo, and said that his desire to bounce back and prove himself as a legitimate championship challenger fired him up for this victory.
“Nothing fires you up like a loss,” he admitted.
“I got a really good team behind me. Man, we work our butts off
“I’m gonna be champ one day. I just got to keep working and working and working. I’m just a dude doing my best, man. Sometimes I win, sometimes I lose.
“Figgy, he’s a sleeper of a legend. Champion at 125. That was a big W for me, so I’m just grateful for it.
“I’m trying to be a champ. Champs don’t change how they fight. They go out and they fight how they do and, man, my style is so good right now. My style is so good everywhere – grappling, top, bottom, standing. It’s amazing.
“I’m ready to win that belt. Sean O’Malley-Merab, I want the winner. I’ll be backup if they want.
“Look, I’ve dreamed of being a world champion for more than half of my life now. UFC, please give me an opportunity to show how great I am to the whole world.”
UFC Des Moines: Official results
MAIN CARD
- Cory Sandhagen def. Deiveson Figueiredo via TKO (injury) – Round 2, 4:08
- Reinier De Ridder def. Bo Nickal via knockout (knee to the body) – Round 2, 1:53
- Daniel Rodriguez def. Santiago Ponzinibbio via TKO (punches) – Round 3, 1:12
- Montel Jackson def. Daniel Marcos via unanimous decision (30-27, 30-27, 30-27)
- Serhiy Sidey def. Cameron Smotherman via unanimous decision (30-27, 29-28, 29-28)
- Mason Jones def. Jeremy Stephens via unanimous decision (30-27, 30-27, 30-27)
PRELIMINARY CARD
- Yana Santos def. Miesha Tate via unanimous decision (29-28, 29-28, 29-28)
- Azamat Bekoev def. Ryan Loder via TKO (punches) – Round 1, 2:44
- Gillian Robertson def. Marina Rodriguez via TKO (punches) – Round 2, 2:07
- Quang Le def. Gaston Bolanos via technical submission (rear-naked choke) – Round 2, 1:15
- Thomas Petersen def. Don’Tale Mayes via unanimous decision (30-25, 30-26, 30-26)
- Juliana Miller def. Ivana Petrovic via unanimous decision (29-28, 29-28, 29-28)
