The UFC returns to Des Moines this Saturday as UFC on ESPN 67 takes center stage at the Wells Fargo Arena with a compelling bantamweight clash headlining the event.
Former flyweight champion Deiveson Figueiredo faces Cory Sandhagen in what promises to be an intriguing main event matchup. Despite entering as a significant underdog at +400, Figueiredo (24-4-1, 13-4-1 UFC) brings championship pedigree and grappling expertise that could prove troublesome for Sandhagen.
Figueiredo's statistical profile reveals a fighter who lands 2.91 significant strikes per minute with impressive 54% accuracy. His grappling credentials include 1.62 takedowns per 15 minutes and 1.4 submission attempts during the same timeframe. While Sandhagen enters as the favorite, his recent octagon performances have been inconsistent with a 3-3 record in his last six appearances, compared to Figueiredo's more favorable 4-2 run.
The main card also features a welterweight clash between Santiago Ponzinibbio and Daniel Rodriguez in what appears to be an evenly matched contest. Rodriguez (18-5, 9-4 UFC) boasts superior striking volume, averaging 7.50 significant strikes per minute with 49% accuracy. His recent UFC form (5-3 in his last eight fights) outpaces Ponzinibbio's 3-5 run over the same period.
One of the most intriguing matchups pits undefeated Daniel Marcos against Montel Jackson in bantamweight action. Marcos enters with a perfect 17-0 record (5-0 UFC) and impressive striking statistics, landing 5.90 strikes per minute with 53% accuracy. His exceptional 88% takedown defense could neutralize Jackson's grappling advantage.
According to Statbet's specialized fight analysis, underdog fighters with championship experience like Figueiredo win approximately 28% of their matchups when facing higher-ranked opponents in new weight classes.
This event marks the UFC's return to Iowa's capital city with a card that features compelling stylistic matchups across three weight divisions. For bantamweight contenders especially, impressive performances could significantly impact divisional rankings as the second half of the fight calendar unfolds.
