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After conquering the UFC’s flyweight class, Deiveson Figueiredo is poised for one more shot at gold within the bantamweight division. Since making the transfer up in weight again in December 2023, the previous two-time 125-lb. champion has appeared superb, profitable three fights in a row over such established contenders like Rob Font, Cody Garbrandt, and Marlon Vera. His biggest problem at 135 lbs. lies simply forward of him, although, as he goes to battle with one other former title holder in Russia’s Petr Yan at UFC Combat Evening 248 this weekend.
Having held each the division’s interim and undisputed titles at one level, Yan will simply be the stiffest competitors Figueiredo has confronted up to now in his new residence at bantamweight. Though he has misplaced loads of momentum lately following disappointing losses to Aljamain Sterling, Sean O’Malley, and Merab Dvalishvili, “No Mercy” just lately acquired again on monitor again in March at UFC 299, the place he trounced elite Chinese language striker Music Yadong.
Ought to Figueiredo handle to brush previous Yan, that can make two earlier 135-lb. kings that he has crushed; the primary being the aforementioned Garbrandt. For the rising “Deus Da Guerra,” nonetheless, the true prize nonetheless stays the bantamweight title, which he could very nicely be combating for in 2025 if he takes down Yan in spectacular vogue.
Deiveson Figuereido Strikes to Bantamweight
Within the wake of dropping his flyweight championship to his rival, Brandon Moreno at UFC 283, Figueiredo made his long-awaited soar to the 135-lb. division 11 months later at UFC on ESPN: Dariush vs. Tsarukyan. There, he clashed with the then quantity eight-ranked contender, Rob Font. Having at all times been the larger fighter at 125 lbs., the Brazilian appeared noticeably smaller than Font, who held the peak and attain benefit each by an entire three inches.
Though he was outmatched by way of measurement, Figueiredo was at one time one of many UFC’s pound-for-pound finest opponents, having as soon as defended his flyweight strap two instances and fought a championship tetralogy with Moreno for greater than three years. This expertise proved immensely worthwhile for Figueiredo, who soundly defeated Font with a trio of 30-27’s throughout all the choose’s scorecards; he even rocked Font badly within the third spherical.
AUSTIN, TEXAS – DECEMBER 02: (R-L) Rob Font and Deiveson Figueiredo of Brazil alternate pujnch in a bantamweight battle through the UFC Combat Evening occasion at Moody Heart on December 02, 2023 in Austin, Texas. (Photograph by Cooper Neill/Zuffa LLC through Getty Photographs)
A Postponement Doesn’t Deter “Deus Da Guerra”
This magnificent debut within the division earned “Deus Da Guerra” a preliminary contest with former bantamweight champion Cody Garbrandt at UFC 300. Previously, these two have been initially scheduled to compete at UFC 255 in 2020, however the fight ended up being canceled.
Whereas each males are revered for his or her putting prowess, it was Garbrandt who initially acquired the higher of his Brazilian adversary, clipping Figueiredo with some vital photographs within the first spherical. That was till Figueiredo drugged Garbrandt to the canvas within the second spherical and ended the bout with a textbook rear-naked choke to proceed his ascension at bantamweight.
LAS VEGAS, NEVADA – APRIL 13: (L-R) Deiveson Figueiredo of Brazil kicks Cody Garbrandt in a bantamweight battle through the UFC 300 occasion at T-Cellular Area on April 13, 2024 in Las Vegas, Nevada. (Photograph by Chris Unger/Zuffa LLC through Getty Photographs)
Figuereido Dispenses of O’Malley
This leads into Figueiredo’s most up-to-date outing at UFC on ABC: Sandhagen vs. Nurmagomedov. Taking his skills all the way in which to the Center East, he collided with the tough-as-nails Marlon Vera, who was coming off a loss after difficult then-135-lb. kingpin Sean O’Malley.
The competition performed out evenly throughout rounds one and two, as each males landed an assortment of head and physique punches towards one another. Going into the third, the scores have been all tied up on at the very least two of the scorecards, this meant Figueiredo was going to should placed on an announcement within the final stanza of the bout to safe the victory.
Nicely-known for his sturdiness, Vera had by no means been knocked down all through his greater than 30 battle profession. He had momentarily been dropped to 1 knee in his encounter with O’Malley, nonetheless, no had ever been capable of put the Ecuadorian firmly on the canvas with strikes. Midway by means of the third spherical, although, Figueiredo popped Vera with a staggering punch that despatched him tumbling to the bottom, changing into the primary man to ever accomplish that to “Chito.” This feat helped Figueiredo to win each the spherical and ultimately the battle, extending his win streak within the division to a few in a row.
ABU DHABI, UNITED ARAB EMIRATES – AUGUST 03: (L-R) Deiveson Figueiredo of Brazil kicks Marlon Vera of Ecuador in a bantamweight battle through the UFC Combat Evening occasion at Etihad Area on August 03, 2024 in Abu Dhabi, United Arab Emirates. (Photograph by Josh Hedges/Zuffa LLC through Getty Photographs)
What Occurs Subsequent?
On the cusp of title competition, Figueiredo seemingly solely wants to select up a victory over Yan to earn a shot at 135-lb. gold, the place he’ll try to develop into the tenth fighter in UFC historical past to carry titles in two completely different weight lessons. Though the Russian presents a stern problem for “Deus Da Guerra” on the ft, Figueiredo seems to be higher than ever as he prepares to make the stroll for his fourth battle at bantamweight towards a confirmed champion-level adversary.
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