UFC Fight Night: Sandhagen vs. Figueiredo - Loder vs. Bekoev Middleweight Clash on the Prelims

Prepare for more preliminary card action at UFC Fight Night: Sandhagen vs. Figueiredo this Saturday, May 3, 2025, live from the Wells Fargo Arena in Des Moines, Iowa. A middleweight bout is set to take place between America's Ryan "Man of Steel" Loder and Russia's powerful Azamat "Iron" Bekoev. Both fighters are aiming to secure a crucial victory and make a statement in the competitive 185-pound division.

Fighter Backgrounds

Ryan Loder

Ryan "Man of Steel" Loder (8-1-0), representing Team Alpha Male in the USA, is a middleweight with a strong professional record, featuring a number of knockout victories. Loder has shown his ability to finish fights and is looking to continue his winning ways in the UFC.

Azamat Bekoev

Azamat "Iron" Bekoev (19-3-0), fighting out of American Top Team in Russia, is a highly accomplished middleweight with a wealth of experience and a high finishing rate. Bekoev has secured seven wins via (T)KO and eight by submission, demonstrating his ability to finish opponents in various ways. He is considered a significant favorite in this matchup.

Fighting Styles and Strengths

Ryan Loder

• Knockout Power: Loder has secured a majority of his wins via TKO/KO, showcasing his ability to finish fights on the feet.
• Winning Record: His 8-1 record indicates a strong level of performance on the regional scene.
• Southpaw Stance: Fights from a southpaw stance, which can be challenging for orthodox opponents.

Azamat Bekoev

• High Finishing Rate: Bekoev has a diverse finishing ability with wins by both knockout and submission.
• Extensive Experience: With 19 professional wins, Bekoev has faced a wide variety of opponents.
• Strong Grappling/Submissions: Eight submission wins highlight his dangerous ground game.

Recent Performances

Ryan Loder

Loder is coming off a second-round TKO victory over Robert Valentin in August 2024. Prior to that, he secured a unanimous decision win over Omran Chaaban in July 2024 on The Ultimate Fighter. His only professional loss came via split decision in January 2023.

Azamat Bekoev

Bekoev is currently on a two-fight winning streak. His most recent victory was a first-round TKO over Zachary Reese in January 2025. Before that, he secured a second-round TKO win against Chauncey Foxworth in June 2024 but suffered a unanimous decision loss to Lucas Fernando in December 2023.

Odds and Betting Information

Fighter	Odds
Ryan Loder	+300
Azamat Bekoev	-400

Azamat Bekoev is the significant betting favorite in this middleweight preliminary bout with odds of -400, while Ryan Loder is the underdog at +300.

Keys to Victory

Ryan Loder

• Land a Power Shot: Loder's most likely path to victory is to connect with a clean power strike and secure a knockout.
• Avoid Grappling: He needs to defend against Bekoev's likely takedown attempts and avoid getting caught in submission exchanges.
• Utilize Southpaw Stance: Using his southpaw stance effectively could create openings in striking.

Azamat Bekoev

• Utilize Finishing Ability: Bekoev should look to impose his will early and find an opportunity for a knockout or submission.
• Mix Up Attacks: Blending his striking with his strong grappling can keep Loder guessing.
• Avoid Loder's Power: Despite being the favorite, Bekoev needs to be wary of Loder's knockout power.

Prediction