For the first time in over 20 years, the UFC brings top-level mixed martial arts to the state of Iowa with UFC Des Moines. In the main event, one-time company title challenger Cory Sandhagen locks horns with former two-time flyweight champion Deiveson Figueiredo. In the penultimate match of the evening at UFC Des Moines, ONE Championship phenom Reinier de Ridder comes to blows with the undefeated Bo Nickal.
UFC Des Moines Main Event
Traveling all the way to Abu Dhabi for his last contest at UFC on ABC 7, Sandhagen came up short in a bantamweight title eliminator against Russian wrestling specialist Umar Nurmagomedov. In position to put his name on the short list of challengers for the 135-lb belt, “The Sandman” seeks to record another fantastic performance over a previous UFC gold possessor with a win at UFC Des Moines.
Having achieved two world titles at 125-lb, Figueiredo made the decision to move up in weight to claim further glory in 2023. As a bantamweight, the Brazilian has claimed wins against divisional elite in Rob Font, Cody Garbrandt and Marlon Vera, however, he did suffer his first loss in the category in his last Octagon outing at UFC Fight Night 248 to Petr Yan. Although he is coming off of a defeat, “Deus Da Guerra” can put himself right back on track towards championship contention by pushing aside the current No. 4-ranked contender.
UFC Des Moines Co-Main Event
Making his UFC debut last year, de Ridder has only impressed in spades since making the switch from ONE Championship, where he held domains over two different weight classes. Perfect in his two promotional appearances with two submission wins over Gerald Meerschaert and Kevin Holland, “The Dutch Knight” faces his toughest test to date in the surging Nickal in UFC Des Moines’ co-main event.
Unblemished as a professional mixed martial arts competitor, Nickal has utterly dominated every single fight he has been in across his seven victories in the cage. Riding the momentum of a near-perfect unanimous decision triumph over Paul Craig at UFC 309, the decorated wrestler can add more to his resume by putting down an accomplished former world champion.
More Bouts On the UFC Des Moines Main Card
Rounding out the main card at UFC Des Moines, Santiago Ponzinibbio meets Daniel Rodriguez in what looks to be a fun welterweight scrap. Then, Montel Jackson battles Daniel Marcos. Also, Cameron Smotherman collides with Serhiy Sidey, while hometown hero Jeremy Stephens returns to the UFC for a high-profile matchup with Cage Warriors double title holder Mason Jones.
UFC Des Moines Predictions and Staff Picks
MMASucka staff picks are composed of four of the world’s leading mixed martial arts organizations: the Ultimate Fighting Championship (UFC), the Professional Fighters League (PFL), ONE Championship (ONE FC), and Dana White’s Contender Series (DWCS).
- UFC picks will include main card fights ranging from four to six matchups per event.
- PFL picks from main cards for pay-per-views and from tournament fights in the Regular Season, Playoffs, and Finals.
- ONE FC and DWCS picks will feature all MMA fights from the event with a minimum of three matchups.
The individual who picks the most victorious fighters by the end of 2025 will have a choice between receiving a custom-made championship belt from ProAmBelts or a detailed chain from Championship Chains. Staff picks in 2023 were won by Ben Jamieson with a record of 300-148.
Find our UFC Des Moines picks and fight odds below.
Staff records after PFL 4 (2025):
- Hank Strandberg: 26-62
- Frazer Krohn: 18-49
- Drew Zuhosky: 17-71
- Jeremy Brand: 16-61
- Andrew Benjamin: 10-44
*Note – not all staff pick for every event*
Mason Jones -650
Vs.
Jeremy Stephens +470
LIGHTWEIGHT
Jeremy Brand: Jones by Unanimous Decision
Hank Strandberg: Jones by Unanimous Decision
Drew Zuhosky: Jones by Unanimous Decision
Frazer Kron: Jones by Unanimous Decision
Andrew Benjamin: Stephens by Split Decision
Staff picking Jones: 4
Staff picking Stephens: 1
Serhiy Sidey -135
Vs.
Cameron Smotherman +114
BANTAMWEIGHT
Jeremy Brand: Sidey by second round TKO
Hank Strandberg: Sidey by Unanimous Decision
Drew Zuhosky: Smotherman by Unanimous Decision
Frazer Kron: Sidey by Unanimous Decision
Andrew Benjamin: Smotherman by Unanimous Decision
Staff picking Sidey: 3
Staff picking Smotherman: 2
Montel Jackson -238
Vs.
Daniel Marcos +195
BANTAMWEIGHT
Jeremy Brand: Jackson by Unanimous Decision
Hank Strandberg: Marcos by Unanimous Decision
Drew Zuhosky: Jackson by Unanimous Decision
Frazer Kron: Jackson by Unanimous Decision
Andrew Benjamin: Jackson by Unanimous Decision
Staff picking Jackson: 4
Staff picking Marcos: 1
Santiago Ponzinibbio -142
Vs.
Daniel Rodriguez +120
WELTERWEIGHT
Jeremy Brand: Ponzinibio by Unanimous Decision
Hank Strandberg: Ponzinibbio by Unanimous Decision
Drew Zuhosky: Ponzinibbio by first round Submission Frazer Kron: Rodriguez by by Split Decision
Andrew Benjamin: Ponzinibbio by Split Decision
Staff picking Ponzinibbio: 4
Staff picking Rodriguez: 1
Bo Nickal -355
Vs.
Reinier de Ridder +280
MIDDLEWEIGHT
Jeremy Brand: Nickal by second round Submission
Hank Strandberg: Nickal by Unanimous Decision
Drew Zuhosky: Nickal by Unanimous Decision
Frazer Krohn: de Ridder by third round Submission
Andrew Benjamin: de Ridder by third round Submission
Staff picking Nickal: 3
Staff picking de Ridder: 2
Cory Sandhagen -520
Vs.
Deiveson Figueiredo +390
BANTAMWEIGHT
Jeremy Brand: Sandhagen by Unanimous Decision
Hank Strandberg: Sandhagen by Unanimous Decision
Drew Zuhosky: Sandhagen by Unanimous Decision
Frazer Krohn: Sandhagen by fourth round Knockout
Andrew Benjamin: Sandhagen by Unanimous Decision
Staff picking Sandhagen: 5
Staff picking Figueiredo: 0
