Now 3-0 at 135 pounds and [autotag]Deiveson Figueiredo[/autotag] thinks it’s time to fight for UFC gold.
The former flyweight champion continued his unbeaten run since moving up to bantamweight on Saturday UFC on ABC 7 at the Etihad Arena on Yas Island, Abu Dhabi. Figueiredo (24-3-1 MMA, 13-3-1 UFC) defeated Marlon Vera (23-10-1 MMA, 15-9 UFC) in a unanimous decision, and then called out the winner of champion Sean O’Malley against Merab Dvalishvili – next bantamweight title fight headlining Noche UFC on September 14th.
“I think it’s going to be an insane fight,” said Figueiredo ESPN after victory. “We have O’Malley, who is a great striker, and we have Merab, who is a grappler. I want to fight whoever wins the belt because I want my fight for the belt.”
Figueiredo is happy to have defeated the last title challenger, “Chito” Vera. He believes he showed his peak for a title fight.
“’Chito’ is a very tough guy, but I saw he could take him down there,” said Figueiredo. “I saw that I could take him down there. But you know, he’s a really tough guy, and that’s why I showed what I am tonight.”
Before defeating Vera, Figueiredo submitted Cody Garbrandt and overcame Rob Font. He feels good in his new weight class and the results confirm he made the right choice in dropping down to 125 pounds.
“The difference now is the strength I have acquired now,” said Figueiredo. “My body is healthier and I’m happier because I don’t have to suffer so much to gain weight.”
For more information on the card, visit the MMA Junkie events hub to UFC on ABC 7.
This article was originally published on MMA Junkie: Deiveson Figueiredo calls out winner of Sean O’Malley x Merab Dvalishvili: ‘I want my title fight’
