The Brazilian comes into the contest after opening his Bantamweight account with a hat-trick of wins following his defeat to Brandon Moreno in the fourth and final fight of their epic rivalry at 125lbs.
In contrast, Yan will be looking to build some sort of form after suffering three defeats in his last four fights, all to the last three bantamweight champions in Merab Dvalishvili, SeanO’Malley and Aljamain Sterling.
Petr Yan
Petr Yan (17-5-0) is one of the most technically gifted fighters in the UFC. Known for his crisp striking, excellent footwork, and high fight IQ, the Russian is a dangerous opponent for anyone in the bantamweight division. Although he lost his title in a controversial decision to Aljamain Sterling, Yan bounced back with dominant performances, reaffirming his status as one of the best.
Yan’s boxing is elite, with quick counters, power, and precision that have put many of his opponents to sleep. His transitions between striking and wrestling are seamless, and he is known for maintaining composure even in high-pressure moments. The key to his success has been his ability to adapt to his opponents’ styles, picking apart their weaknesses with ease.
The former champion is currently ranked in the top of the bantamweight division, and a win against Figueiredo would cement his place as a top contender, possibly earning him another shot at the title.
Deiveson Figueiredo
Deiveson Figueiredo (24-3-1) is a wrecking ball in the flyweight division. His aggressive fighting style, coupled with explosive power and a relentless pace, made him a dominant champion in the flyweight ranks. Known for his vicious striking and ability to finish fights both standing and on the ground, Figueiredo has proven he can mix it up with the best in the world. His four timer with Brandon Moreno showcased his heart, his power, and his willingness to push through adversity.
Figueiredo’s main weapon is his striking, particularly his knockout power. He is a strong wrestler with a solid grappling game, but his stand-up is where he really shines. His fast hands and ability to find openings in his opponent’s defense make him a constant threat, and he has a knack for closing the distance and landing damaging shots.
Now fighting up a weight class at bantamweight, Figueiredo will look to prove that his skills are transferable and that he can hang with one of the division’s best. His first fight at bantamweight will be a huge test, but if he can bring the same aggression and power he displayed at flyweight, he will be a dangerous matchup for anyone.
Best Bet?
Figueiredo to win at 9/4 is the value play here. Yan has Bantamweight champion pedigree but has been on a horrid run of losses to the best in the division. His last fight saw him victorious against a somewhat lesser opponent in Song Yadong, but there is no getting away from the fact that Yan has failed to quite get past the elite at 135lb.
In contrastFigueiredo has steam rolled all before him, taking to fighting at 135lb in his stride. His explosive power hasn’t lost any of its spark up a weight division and as a two-time champion at featherweight you can rest assured, he has the mental aptitude to get it done in these main event fights. A meeting with Merab Dvalishvili could potentially be on the cards should the Brazilian win here and I don’t see Yan having enough ideas to stop a fighter in such devastating form.
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