UFC Des Moines Main Card Preview

Published by Paul Browne on April 30, 2025

UFC Des Moines Fight Night: Main Card Preview

This Saturday, the UFC heads to Wells Fargo Arena in Des Moines, Iowa, for UFC on ESPN 67—an event packed with rising talent, returning veterans, and a high-stakes bantamweight headliner.

The evening’s lineup includes a compelling mix of former champions, fast-rising prospects, and fan favorites, promising plenty of action across multiple divisions. Here’s a breakdown of the main card matchups to watch.

Main Event: Cory Sandhagen vs. Deiveson Figueiredo (Bantamweight)

Top contenders Cory Sandhagen (17-5 MMA, 10-4 UFC) and Deiveson Figueiredo (24-4-1 MMA, 13-4-1 UFC) square off in a pivotal bantamweight showdown.

Sandhagen, known for his dynamic striking and relentless pace, steps into his seventh UFC main event, aiming to rebound from a loss to Umar Nurmagomedov last August. Across the Octagon, Figueiredo looks to reestablish momentum following a defeat to Petr Yan. Since moving up from flyweight, the former two-time champion has gone 3-1 at 135 pounds.

Figueiredo’s legacy at flyweight includes a tie for most stoppage wins in divisional history (7), alongside legends Alexandre Pantoja and Demetrious Johnson. A win here could vault him into the thick of the bantamweight title conversation.

Co-Main Event: Reinier de Ridder vs. Bo Nickal (Middleweight)

Middleweight prospect Bo Nickal (7-0 MMA, 4-0 UFC) faces his toughest test yet in former ONE Championship titleholder Reinier de Ridder (19-2 MMA, 2-0 UFC).

Nickal, a decorated collegiate wrestler from Penn State, has cruised through his UFC competition so far, though he was pushed to the judges’ scorecards for the first time in a decision win over Paul Craig last November. De Ridder, meanwhile, has racked up two first-round submission victories since making the jump to the UFC in late 2024.

With 17 finishes in 19 wins, de Ridder offers a unique challenge to Nickal’s grappling-heavy approach—and a win for either fighter could signal a fast-track route to title contention.

Santiago Ponzinibbio vs. Daniel Rodriguez (Welterweight)

Veteran welterweights Santiago Ponzinibbio (30-7 MMA, 12-7 UFC) and Daniel Rodriguez (18-5 MMA, 8-4 UFC) face off in what promises to be a hard-hitting clash.

Ponzinibbio returns just months after scoring a knockout victory over Carlston Harris in January. Another first-round KO this weekend would tie him with Anthony Johnson and Vicente Luque for the most in UFC welterweight history (5).

Rodriguez, who snapped a three-fight skid with a win over Alex Morono last fall, will aim to keep the momentum going and reassert himself in the deep 170-pound division.

Montel Jackson vs. Daniel Marcos (Bantamweight)

Two streaking bantamweights put their undefeated runs on the line as Montel Jackson (14-2 MMA, 8-2 UFC) faces Daniel Marcos (17-0, 1 NC MMA, 4-0, 1 NC UFC).

Jackson enters the Octagon on a five-fight winning streak, including a lightning-fast, 18-second knockout of Da’Mon Blackshear—making it the second-fastest stoppage in the division’s history. Marcos, meanwhile, brings a perfect record and slick striking to the table, looking to prove he’s ready for the top tier of the division.

Cameron Smotherman vs. Serhiy Sidey (Bantamweight)

Rising bantamweight Cameron Smotherman (12-4 MMA, 1-0 UFC) will look to build on the momentum of his successful debut when he faces Serhiy Sidey (11-2 MMA, 1-1 UFC).

Smotherman, a former Fury FC champ, secured a decision win over Jake Hadley in his first UFC appearance last October. Sidey notched his first UFC victory in November, defeating Garrett Armfield and demonstrating the technical prowess that earned him a spot on the roster.

Jeremy Stephens vs. Mason Jones (Lightweight)

Veteran Jeremy Stephens (29-21 MMA, 15-18 UFC) makes his long-awaited return to the UFC after nearly four years away, stepping back into the Octagon for a one-fight deal in front of his hometown crowd in Des Moines.

Stephens, who made his UFC debut in 2007, has competed in 34 fights under the promotion’s banner. Since leaving the UFC, he has fought in PFL and most recently in Bare Knuckle FC, where he’s on a three-fight win streak.

Welsh prospect Mason Jones (15-2 MMA, 1-2 UFC) will be his opponent, returning to the UFC after racking up four consecutive wins outside the promotion. A former two-division Cage Warriors champion, Jones now has a chance to make a statement in his UFC comeback.