Preview: UFC Des Moines ‘Sandhagen vs. Figueiredo’

Bantamweights

Serhiy Sidey (11-2, 1-1 UFC) vs. Cameron Smotherman (12-4, 1-0 UFC)

ODDS: Sidey (-135), Smotherman (+114)

Two bantamweights look to build some momentum in this pairing. Smotherman seems to have found his groove, even if it’s not the most exciting thing to watch at times. Smotherman came up the ranks as a patient striker willing to stay defensive and pick his spots, but he understandably decided to open things up a bit in his opportunity on the Contender Series in 2023. That backfired horribly, resulting in his getting knocked out by Charalampos Grigoriou in a minute flat. Things still worked out in the long run. Smotherman was back to his more patient self on the regional scene and racked up enough wins to get the late-notice UFC call in October, which in turn saw him slowly outwork Jake Hadley. Smotherman looks to keep things going against Sidey, who had an odd start to his UFC career.

Sidey finished Ramon Taveras to earn a contract on the Contender Series, only to lose his UFC debut in a rematch with “The Savage.” He then earned a controversial split decision win over Garrett Armfield in November. A tall and lanky bantamweight, Sidey follows a game plan of constant activity at the expense of defense, which does understandably result in a lot of nip-tuck fights if a finish doesn’t present itself on either side. Smotherman could just blast the Canadian with the right shot, but it seems likelier that Sidey’s constant volume can outweigh his adversary’s more patient approach. The pick is Sidey via decision.

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Sandhagen vs. Figueiredo
Nickal vs. de Ridder
Ponzinibbio vs. Rodriguez
Jackson vs. Marcos
Sidey vs. Smotherman
Jones vs. Stephens
The Prelims