The UFC has arguably never been bigger, part of the multi-billion-dollar venture known as TKO Holdings. TKO also features professional wrestling giant, World Wrestling Entertainment (WWE). In its most recent event, the UFC went to Des Moines, IA, the first time in the city’s history.
Given the popularity of UFC, Des Moines locals have to be wondering when the company will return. UFC Fight Night: Sandhagen vs. Figueiredo seems to have been a major success, possibly leading to a return to Iowa and Des Moines, specifically.
Des Moines UFC Event
The Wells Fargo Arena in Des Moines played host to UFC Fight Night: Sandhagen vs. Figueiredo, also known as UFC on ESPN 67. The event took place on May 3, 2025, in front of nearly 16,000 in attendance. UFC brought in a gate of $2.476 million in the first event to be held in Iowa since June 2000’s UFC 26.
Prelims
There were six bouts in the preliminary card, which aired on ESPN and ESPN+. The card featured a trio of men’s bouts as well as a trio of women’s bouts. For the men, Thomas Petersen defeated Don’Tale Mayes by unanimous decision, Quang Le defeated Gaston Bolanos by technical submission, and Azamat Bekoev defeated Ryan Loder by TKO.
On the women’s side of the preliminary card, there were three finishes. Juliana Miller defeated Ivana Petrovic by unanimous decision, Gillian Robertson defeated Marina Rodriguez by TKO, and Yana Santos defeated veteran Miesha Tate by unanimous decision.
Main Card
The main card featured six bouts, though one had to be moved. Former bantamweight title challenger Marlon Vera was set to challenge Mario Bautista, but the fight has been moved to UFC 316 instead with the reason behind the shift unknown. Additionally, Junior Tafa was set to face Tuco Tokkos, but Tokkos pulled out due to injury.
On the undercard of the show, Mason Jones defeated Jeremy Stephens by unanimous decision. In a pair of bantamweight bouts, Montel Jackson defeated Daniel Marcos and Serhiy Sidey defeated Cameron Smotherman, each by unanimous decision.
The welterweight battle between Daniel Rodriguez and Santiago Ponzinibbio saw Rodriguez end the bout by TKO (punches). In the semi-main event, Reinier de Ridder defeated potential title contender Bo Nickal with an impressive array of punches and knees, winning the bout by TKO.
In the main event, for interim UFC bantamweight championship challenger Cory Sandhagen squared off with former two-time UFC flyweight champion Deiveson Figueiredo. Unfortunately for Figueiredo, a knee injury would end his night in the second round, giving the bout to Sandhagen via TKO.
Future UFC Events in Des Moines?
The question among all local UFC fans is, “When will Des Moines host another UFC event?” This is the first time the city has hosted a UFC event and is the first time since 2000 that there has been an event sanctioned by the UFC in the state of Iowa.
With a sellout crowd of 15,627 (and a gate of $2,476,690), the UFC has to be happy with the turnout for a UFC Fight Night event. Buzz for the event began when the event was announced and it’s clear that the UFC is still tremendously popular in Hawkeye Country.
Though there will always be an attraction to major venues like Madison Square Garden or the MGM Grand in Las Vegas, the UFC is building a country-wide following. Similar to its TKO partner the WWE, UFC is touring smaller cities with great success.
This turnout at the Des Moines event has to be an encouraging sign for the UFC. With more than 15,000 in attendance, it shows that the city is hungry for UFC action. Whether that means another Fight Night show or a potential pay-per-view remains to be seen.
After that kind of turn out and an electric crowd, Des Moines has certainly put itself in a position to see the fighting organization return sooner rather than later.
You can bet on UFC in Iowa here: youbet.com/sports-news/how-to-bet-on-sports-in-iowa/
A Hub for MMA
The world of mixed-martial arts once considered Iowa to be one of the central hubs for the sport. Bettendorf, IA, was home to Miletich Fighting Systems, the home for many of the biggest up-and-coming fighters in UFC history. Former UFC champions Jens Pulver, Matt Hughes, Robbie Lawlor, and Tim Sylvia cut their teeth there with the proprietor being the legendary Pat Miletitch.
The hope for fans of the sport is that this most recent event went off well enough to justify a return. Given the turn out, it would be shocking if Des Moines goes years before seeing another UFC event in town. The crowd certainly has a deep love for the sport, and excitement for this event reached a fever pitch shortly after it was announced. UFC will no doubt be watching Des Moines closely.
