Top Five UFC Fights To Look Forward To In May

Cory Sandhagen v Deiveson Figueiredo

When: Sunday, May 4

Elite bantamweights headline the first-ever UFC Des Moines to get May’s Octagon action underway.

Sandhagen returns for the first time since dropping a decision to recent title-challenger Umar Nurmagomedov last August. The loss snapped a three-fight win streak for “The Sandman”, an exciting striker with notable wins over names such as Hall of Famer Frankie Edgar, Marlon Vera and Marlon Moraes.

Figueiredo is also looking to get back in the win column. The former flyweight champion enters the historic headliner following a decision loss to former 135-pound titleholder Petr Yan. Like Sandhagen, the loss put an end to a three-fight win streak for “Deus Da Guerra”, so expect these two to come out all guns blazing.

Reinier de Ridder v Bo Nickal

When: Sunday, May 4

Wrestling standout Nickal puts his undefeated record on the line in the co-main event at the Wells Fargo Arena.

One of the best pure wrestlers to ever grace the Octagon, the American continues to improve and evolve as a mixed martial artist whilst remaining unbeaten. This is another intriguing stylistic battle that will test his wider skillset.

De Ridder is a former ONE Championship middleweight and light heavyweight champion and a submission specialist, so Nickal will have to be very careful if he decides to take “The Dutch Knight” down.

Belal Muhammad v Jack Della Maddalena

When: Sunday, May 11

The welterweight title is on the line in the main event of UFC 315 at the Bell Centre in Montreal, Canada.

Muhammad makes the first defence of his 170-pound title that he took off Leon Edwards with a dominant decision win last July. Unbeaten in his last 11 fights, “Remember The Name” boasts other memorable victories over the likes of Gilbert Burns, Sean Brady and Vicente Luque and looks to send a message to the rest of the division by handing the oncoming Della Maddalena his first loss in nine years.

A danger man from Down Under, Della Maddalena is on a remarkable 17-fight win streak, which includes thrilling victories over Burns, Kevin Holland and Randy Brown. The Australian knockout artist now aims to achieve his dream of capturing UFC gold.

Valentina Shevchenko v Manon Fiorot

When: Sunday, May 11

The best female pound-for-pound fighter in the world, Shevchenko returns looking to kick off her second reign as flyweight champion in style in UFC 315’s co-headliner.

One of the all-time greats, “Bullet” has wowed fans with wins over former champions Alexa Grasso, Jessica Andrade and Joanna Jedrzejczyk as well as current bantamweight champion Julianna Pena but knows she has a hungry, streaking challenger in front of her.

A technical master, Fiorot is riding a 12-fight win streak with Erin Blanchfield, ex-champion Rose Namajunas and Katlyn Cerminara being among her victims. She looks to make history by becoming the first French fighter to capture an undisputed UFC title.

Gilbert Burns vs Michael Morales

When: Sunday, May 11

A key clash in the welterweight division will see established veteran Burns take on rising star Morales in the main event of UFC Vegas 107 at the UFC APEX.

A former title challenger and decorated Brazilian jiu-jitsu black belt, Burns has faced the best of the best at 170 pounds and boasts big wins over names like Tyron Woodley, Jorge Masvidal, Demian Maia and Stephen Thompson and had then-champion Kamaru Usman on the ropes when they fought in 2021.

Morales is yet to taste defeat as a professional. The Ecuador-based fighter combatant has rattled off five straight wins since he joined the UFC in 2022 to earn this opportunity to crack into the top 10. His lone outing last year saw him put away gatekeeper Neil Magny in the opening round.