Petr Yan secured a significant victory over Deiveson Figueiredo at UFC Macau on Saturday morning, putting himself back in the mix for a bantamweight title shot.
In a hard-fought, five-round battle filled with intense action, Yan emerged victorious by unanimous decision, with all three judges scoring the fight 50-45. However, the scores don't fully capture how competitive several of the rounds were.
The match was aired on Sony Sports Network, the home for MMA and UFC in India.
Davidson Figueiredo is no stranger to high-stakes battles inside the Octagon. As a two-time UFC flyweight champion, the Brazilian has fought and triumphed over some of the toughest opponents in mixed martial arts (MMA). But his journey has never been a straightforward one. In an exclusive interview with Sportstak, he shares his thoughts on his career, personal growth, and what fans can expect from his next fight.
Stepping Into the Cage with Purpose
As Figueiredo prepares for his next big challenge, he exudes confidence and focus. "I’m feeling great. The mission now is to lose weight, and once Saturday comes, we’ll step in with the right mindset, guns blazing, and leave victorious, God willing," he said.
For Figueiredo, it’s all about getting into the best possible shape, shedding the weight, and making sure he’s ready to give it his all. “It’s going to be a tough fight, but I’m excited. I’ve fought three tough guys already, and now I have the chance to fight for the belt again. It’s a big opportunity for me,” he reflects.
The man he faced next, Petr Yan, is known for his incredible technical skills and his past reign as bantamweight champion. Figueiredo, who has already fought against top fighters like Cody Garbrandt, isn’t intimidated. “It’s a dangerous fight, but I’ve fought guys like Garbrandt before. Yan is just another great challenge I’m ready for,” he says. But despite the risks, Figueiredo has his sights set on one thing: another shot at the title.
Figueiredo's Most Memorable Fight
Figueiredo’s fight with Cody Garbrandt stands out in his career as one of his toughest and most satisfying victories. Garbrandt, known for his speed and knockout power, is a dangerous opponent for anyone
"Cody Garbrandt is one of the most dangerous guys I’ve ever faced. He’s fast, powerful, and has great punch speed. But I was able to dominate him and finish the fight,” Figueiredo recalls. It was a moment where he proved not only his skill but his ability to withstand pressure and control the fight.
But now, with a new challenge in front of him, Figueiredo is determined to build on those experiences. "I’m excited for this next fight. Fighting for the belt again is something I’ve always wanted, and I’m ready to make it happen," he added.
Grappling with the Best: Figueiredo's Strengths
While Figueiredo is known for his striking, his ground game is just as dangerous. In fact, when asked about potential future fights with grapplers like Umar Nurmagomedov or Merab Dvalishvili, Figueiredo confidently breaks down how he would approach each opponent.
Against Nurmagomedov, a master of wrestling and grappling, Figueiredo knows what he’s up against. "I would definitely focus on improving my grappling if I were to fight him. It would be a fight with a lot of ground action, but I believe I could hold my own,” Figueiredo says. However, when it comes to Dvalishvili, Figueiredo feels he has the upper hand. “Merab is a great wrestler, but he doesn’t hold people down very well. I think if I fight him, I have a better chance of finishing the fight," he told Sportstak.
Pantoja’s Reign: Respect for the Flyweight Champion
As Figueiredo moves into the bantamweight division, he continues to keep an eye on the flyweight division where his past rivalry with Brandon Moreno and his win over Alexandre Pantoja still resonate. Figueiredo has a lot of respect for the current flyweight champion, Pantoja, who has proven himself as a dominant force in the division. "Pantoja is doing an excellent job as champion. He fought hard to get to where he is and is showing he deserves the title. He’s dominating the category," Figueiredo acknowledges.
Although he no longer competes in the flyweight division, Figueiredo’s words show respect for the fighters there. His past battles, including those with Moreno and Pantoja, have solidified his place as one of the best fighters to have ever graced the division.
The Rivalry That Shaped Him: Figueiredo vs. Brandon Moreno
The rivalry between Davidson Figueiredo and Brandon Moreno is one of the most iconic in UFC history. Their four-fight series is filled with highs and lows, but for Figueiredo, it was a transformative experience. He reflects on how his losses to Moreno shaped him as a fighter and as a person.
“Every time I lost to Brandon, I would go home thinking about how I could be better. Those defeats showed me the wrong paths I was following, and they forced me to make changes in my life,” Figueiredo admits. For him, each loss was an opportunity to learn, evolve, and become a better fighter. “Those fights made me want to come back stronger and better. They pushed me to rethink my training, to be smarter, and focus on what I needed to do to be the best,” he told Sportstak.
Looking Forward to the Future
"I believe in the name of Jesus,” he says, highlighting the role faith plays in his journey. Figueiredo’s humility and gratitude for his career shine through in his words, as he acknowledges how far he has come and how much he still has to give.
With a history of overcoming adversity, Figueiredo’s future in MMA is filled with possibilities. Whether he’s aiming for another title shot or pushing his limits against some of the best in the bantamweight division, one thing is clear: Davidson Figueiredo is far from done. His journey is one of redemption, growth, and determination, and fans can expect more exciting moments to come from this incredible fighter.
