Deiveson Figueiredo (19-1-0) will be making his first UFC Flyweight Championship defense against Alex Perez (24-5-0) in the main event at UFC 255 on Saturday, November 21 at the UFC Apex in Las Vegas Nevada.  

 

Figueiredo has been dominating since his first fight in the UFC in 2012, working his way up through the rankings and amassing 17 wins. He only faced one loss before getting his chance to face Joseph Benavidez (28-7-0) in 2020 for the Flyweight title vacated by Henry Cejudo. Figueiredo managed to defeat Benavidez in that first match via TKO but was disqualified from winning the title as he did not make weight. However, Figueiredo managed to make a comeback and defeated Benavidez a second time via submission, ultimately winning him the title belt.

 

Figueiredo’s first title defense was first set up with Cody Garbrandt but Grabrandt had to withdraw due to injury before being replaced with Perez. Figueirdo did not seem to be a fan of this switch and had some harsh words to say on his new opponent as told in an interview with MMA FIghting. 

 

“I don’t get scared by opponents,” she said. “With all due respect, Cody Garbrandt would have been a more dangerous fight for me, but I was training to knock him out. Unfortunately he got hurt, and I hope he recovers quickly so we can make this fight happen.”

 

While Figueiredo is a heavy favorite in this match, Perez is certainly talented enough to shock the UFC world with an upset. Perez is currently the #4 ranked Flyweight contender and has been on a hot streak of his own, winning 10 of his last 11 fights. Perez’s last fight, a TKO in only the first round against Jussier Formiga (23-8-0) at UFC 250, won him Performance of the Night honors, his second in as many fights. 

 

Still, it will be an uphill battle for Perez, Figueirdo has been able to manhandle competition far beyond Perez’s expectations for this fight, and Vegas has Figuerido as a -290 favorite.  If all goes expected, Figueirdo will continue his dominant streak while building on to his legacy. A Perez win would mean capitalizing on the opportunity and would flip that legacy.