Cory Sandhagen bashes claims of ‘freak accident’ as Deiveson Figueiredo knee injury secures TKO win 

Cory Sandhagen believes he should be given the credit for popping Deiveson Figueiredo's knee instead of calling it a freak injury.

Cory Sandhagen bashes claims of ‘freak accident’ as Deiveson Figueiredo knee injury secures TKO win 

Cory Sandhagen claims he deliberately popped Deiveson Figueiredo's knee (via UFC X)

The main event of UFC Des Moines was a much-anticipated bantamweight bout between Cory Sandhagen and Deiveson Figueiredo. Both fighters aimed to get a win against each other to climb the rankings, and earn a future title opportunity. Ultimately, it was Sandhagen who won the bout, though the victory wasn’t without controversy due to the freak injury that happened.

In round two, Deiveson Figueiredo attempted a leg lock that went wrong, injuring his knee and resulting in a referee stoppage. Many fans and analysts labeled it a freak accident, dismissing the idea that Sandhagen caused the injury through skillful technique. However, ‘Sandman’ rejected this narrative, stating in the post-fight presser that the damaging move was executed with full intention.

The position is called 50/50. If you don’t know how to play 50/50, you are gonna pop a knee….If I sit up hard and you don’t sit back, your knee is going to pop. … That wasn’t an accidental thing. 

Cory Sandhagen via UFC Des Moines post-fight presser 

‘Sandman’ mentioned he executed a similar move against former champion T.J. Dillashaw during their fight at UFC Vegas 32. In round one of the bout, Sandhagen applied a tight heel hook that caused immediate damage to Dillashaw’s knee ligaments. Dillashaw later confirmed he tore multiple ligaments, including the LCL and meniscus, as a result of that submission attempt.

Following the bout, Figueiredo was seen getting carried out by his teammate, unable to walk properly. According to Sandhagen, the injury would probably keep the Brazilian many months away from fighting. Irrespective of the injury, Sandhagen had a clinical performance that made his win justified. 

The American fighter controlled the first round with sharp striking and dominant grappling, keeping Figueiredo off-balance throughout their exchanges. The TKO win at 4:08 of the second round earned Sandhagen a performance bonus, and put him in line for a title shot. Going forward, the Colorado native is looking forward to getting his first-ever featherweight title shot soon. 

Cory Sandhagen wants to become the official substitute for the UFC 316 main event 

At UFC 316 in New Jersey, Merab Dvalishvili will defend his bantamweight title against Sean O’Malley in a highly anticipated rematch. Dvalishvili previously defeated O’Malley by unanimous decision at UFC 306, showcasing his relentless wrestling and cardio. Despite the prior loss, O’Malley got his title shot with fans accusing him of getting the Dana White privilege. 

Cory Sandhagen is ready to fight for the featherweight title
Cory Sandhagen is ready to fight for the featherweight title (via X)

With his recent TKO victory over Deiveson Figueiredo, Cory Sandhagen has positioned himself as a potential substitute for the title bout. Sandhagen’s recent performance and ranking make him a logical choice should either main event fighter withdraw. The UFC often considers such factors when selecting replacements for marquee fights. In a recent interview, the fighter explained why he’s the best choice. 

I forgot sure will consider. Why it wouldn’t be me? Who else they got. Umar just lost. Yan is coming off two wins but he already fought both of them and he already fought both of them (O’Malley and Merab) and lost. So, I think that I should get the shot. 

Cory Sandhagen via UFC 

As the event approaches, fans and analysts will watch closely to see if any changes occur in the fight lineup. Regardless, UFC 316 promises to be a pivotal moment in the bantamweight division’s landscape. If everything goes smoothly and betting favorite, Dvalishvili maintains his belt, then Sandhagen could be the next challenger.

On the other hand, if O’Malley manages to get an upset, him defending his belt against Sandhagen has huge potential. Both are predominantly strikers, which could offer some fireworks for fans who are probably bored of watching wrestlers in the main event.

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