Deiveson Figueiredo recently became the first man in MMA to knock down Marlon Vera — a feat 33 fighters have attempted before and failed — and he believes his UFC Abu Dhabi win should be enough to make him the next in line for the UFC bantamweight title.
The former UFC flyweight champion won a decision at UFC Abu Dhabi to improve to 3-0 since moving up to 135 pounds, but could still be behind Umar Nurmagomedov in the title chase, especially after the Russian defeated Cory Sandhagen on the same Abu Dhabi card. Figueiredo feels, however, that he can promote a title fight better than Nurmagomedov.
“I know this win over ‘Chito’ Vera can take me to a title fight soon,” Figueiredo told MMA Fighting. “I don’t know what’s going to happen next. I sell fights better, but I don’t know what Dana [White] and the bosses are planning.”
O’Malley is scheduled to defend his bantamweight title against Merab Dvalishvili in the main event of UFC 306 on Sept. 14. Figueiredo said he’s healthy enough to make weight again and serve as the backup fighter next month in Las Vegas.
“Sean O’Malley knows I’m a thorn in his side,” Figueiredo said. “He’s taking shots at me ever since I moved up in weight, and I’m sure I’m the one he wants to fight. We have to make the boss want this fight too.”
Figueiredo wants the belt more than he wants to punch O’Malley in the face, so he’ll switch his focus to Dvalishvili if he’s victorious at UFC 306, or even Nurmagomedov if Figueiredo is made to wait for the Russian to get his opportunity first.
Looking at those three potential opponents for the UFC belt, Figueiredo said O’Malley is “definitely” the easiest stylistic matchup for him among the trio.
“It would be harder to grapple with Umar and Merab, but I can impose my game and become champion,” Figueiredo said. “O’Malley moves a lot and it’s hard to touch him, but I would be aggressive on the feet against him.
“[O’Malley] moves a lot and has good boxing, but we don’t see any power there. He has good boxing, he throws a lot of kicks, but we don’t see those hard knockout shots that hurt his opponents, you know? It would be really hard for him to knock me out.”
