Deiveson Figueiredo welcomes flyweight title fight with Alexandre Pantoja despite weight concerns
Deiveson Figueiredo moved from flyweight to bantamweight in December 2023 with eyes on a second UFC title. Having conquered the 125-pound landscape, he opted to search for bigger and better things at 135 pounds. But with flyweight king Alexandre Pantoja having defeated much of the division, there are few challengers left for him to face.
This has prompted 'Deus Da Guerra' to share interest in dropping down to flyweight to challenge Pantoja. The pair had previously clashed at UFC 240, where Figueiredo secured a unanimous decision win in the Fight of the Night.
The former champion dismissed any concern surrounding his ability to make the 125-pound limit, despite Figueiredo having previously stated that his reason for moving to bantamweight was due to the severe weight cut at flyweight.
The Brazilian was recently interviewed by MMA Junkie, where he discussed a clash with Pantoja, saying this:
"If I want to come down to 125 [pounds], I can do it. I'm very disciplined when I want something. It's not a problem. I think that Pantoja knows that I'm a complicated matchup, complicated style, complicated game for him. I saw him [call out] a guy that's already retired [Demetrious Johnson]... I just left that option open to [Pantoja] and the UFC, if that's something they want to do." [Translated from Portuguese by translator]
Check out Deivesion Figueiredo's comments below (3:45):
What happened in Deiveson Figueiredo's last fight?
Deiveson Figueiredo's most recent challenge came in the shape of a thrilling matchup with former bantamweight champion Petr Yan. The pair went to war in the main event of UFC Macau, held in Macau, China, on Nov. 23.
Both fighters are incredibly well-rounded, and their headlining bout had fans watching with bated breath as they battled it out at a frenetic pace. The clash was a competitive bout throughout, and Yan and Figueiredo had moments of success in a fight that was contested largely on the feet.
With the Brazilian having won his first three bantamweight fights since moving to 135 pounds in 2023, he suffered his first defeat when facing 'No Mercy', who secured a unanimous decision win.
Following the fight, 'Deus Da Guerra' was interviewed in the cage by Michael Bisping, where he said this:
"Tonight was Petr Yan's night, but God doesn't give you a burden heavier than you can carry. Tonight was his night, I will come back stronger."
Check out Deiveson Figueiredo's post-fight interview below: