UFC ESPN 67: Sandhagen Vs. Figueiredo - Winners, Losers, And Key Moments

Laila Abdi

4 min read

Post on May 04, 2025

4.3

Share

Main Event Analysis: Sandhagen vs. Figueiredo

Brandon Moreno's Dominant Victory

Brandon Moreno showcased a masterful performance, solidifying his position as the flyweight king. His strategy was a blend of calculated aggression and pinpoint accuracy. Moreno controlled the pace of the fight, utilizing a mix of effective striking and superior grappling.

• Significant Strikes Landed: Moreno significantly out-struck Sandhagen, landing a higher percentage of power punches and precise jabs.
• Takedown Percentage: Moreno secured multiple takedowns, showcasing improved wrestling and control. His ability to take Sandhagen down and maintain control on the ground was crucial in dictating the fight's tempo.
• Control Time: Moreno's ground control was exceptional, consistently keeping Sandhagen on the defensive and limiting his offensive opportunities. He spent a significant portion of the fight controlling Sandhagen's position.
• Key Moments: Several key moments demonstrated Moreno's dominance, including a particularly impressive sequence in the second round where he landed a combination of strikes and secured a takedown, leading to significant ground and pound. His improved striking defense also prevented Sandhagen from landing many clean shots.

Moreno's victory highlights his growth as a well-rounded mixed martial artist. His improved striking and wrestling defense significantly enhanced his already formidable grappling skills.

Cory Sandhagen's Struggles

Sandhagen's performance fell short of expectations. He struggled to find an answer for Moreno's well-rounded game.

• Areas Where Moreno Outclassed Him: Moreno clearly outmatched Sandhagen in both grappling and clinch fighting. Sandhagen’s attempts to utilize his striking game were largely ineffective against Moreno's defensive capabilities.
• Missed Opportunities: Sandhagen missed crucial opportunities to capitalize on openings, failing to secure takedowns when Moreno was momentarily off balance.
• Strategic Flaws: His strategy seemed to lack the adaptability needed to counter Moreno's dominant grappling and effective striking.

Sandhagen needs to reassess his game plan for future title fights. Focusing on improving his takedown defense and developing a more effective counter-grappling strategy will be crucial for his next title run.

Impact on Flyweight Division

Moreno's victory further cements his reign as flyweight champion. The victory sets up several intriguing potential matchups.

• Potential Opponents: A rematch with Alexandre Pantoja is a highly anticipated fight, given their previous encounters. Other potential contenders include Kai Kara-France and a rising star from the flyweight division.
• Shift in Rankings: This fight solidified Moreno's place at the top of the flyweight division. The outcome will lead to adjustments in the rankings, promoting other contenders and creating new rivalries.

Undercard Highlights: Notable Wins and Losses

Key Undercard Fights

The undercard delivered several exciting bouts. Let's highlight a few:

• Tatsiana Tsarukyan vs. Denise Gomes: Tsarukyan secured a dominant victory via unanimous decision, showcasing impressive striking and takedown defense. This win establishes her as a fighter to watch in the strawweight division.
• Tucker Lutz vs. Esteban Ribovics: Lutz secured a stunning first-round knockout, demonstrating his explosive power and finishing ability. This victory propels Lutz's upward trajectory in the featherweight division.
• Loik Radzhabov vs. Kamuela Kirk: Radzhabov dominated his opponent via unanimous decision, displaying both technical precision and superior conditioning. This continues his climb through the welterweight rankings.

Upsets and Surprises

While many fights went as expected, there were few surprises on the undercard: There were no significant upsets during the UFC ESPN 67 undercard. Most of the fights played out as predicted by many MMA experts, given the fighters' current rankings and recent performances.

Key Moments and Controversies of UFC ESPN 67

Memorable Knockdowns/Submissions

The event featured several memorable moments. Lutz's first-round knockout of Ribovics was a highlight, showcasing incredible power and precision.

Controversial Decisions or Judging

There were no major judging controversies surrounding UFC ESPN 67. The scoring of the fights appeared to be largely consensus-based amongst the judges.

Post-Fight Interviews and Reactions

Moreno’s post-fight interview highlighted his humility and dedication. He expressed respect for Sandhagen and looked ahead to future challenges.

Conclusion

UFC ESPN 67 delivered an exciting night of fights, with Brandon Moreno cementing his status as the dominant flyweight champion. While Cory Sandhagen faced defeat, the undercard provided plenty of thrilling action. This event highlighted both the incredible skill and the unpredictable nature of the UFC. For more analysis and coverage of future UFC events, including information on upcoming UFC ESPN events, keep checking back for more in-depth articles. Stay tuned for more UFC ESPN 67 breakdowns and analysis! Don't miss out on the next exciting UFC event – keep up-to-date with all the UFC ESPN action!