Alexandre Pantoja, the reigning UFC flyweight champion, finds himself in a peculiar predicament. His reign of dominance over the 125-pound division has left him with a scarcity of viable challengers. He has vanquished nearly every top contender, often multiple times, leaving the UFC matchmaking team scrambling for a suitable opponent. This dearth of competition led Pantoja to issue a public challenge to Demetrious Johnson, a retired former flyweight champion, a move that highlighted the champion’s desperation to find a worthy adversary. While Pantoja’s gaze drifted towards opponents outside the UFC, a potential challenger emerged from a familiar, albeit unexpected, corner: Deiveson Figueiredo, a former flyweight champion who had ascended to the bantamweight division.
Figueiredo, noting Pantoja’s challenge to Johnson, expressed his willingness to return to the flyweight division and contest for the title. He pointed out the impracticality of Pantoja’s call-out, given Johnson’s retirement and disinterest in returning to active competition. Figueiredo’s proposition carries weight, not only because of his status as a former champion but also due to his existing victory over Pantoja in 2019. He boasts a respectable 2-1 record in the bantamweight division, adding further credence to his claim as a legitimate threat. Figueiredo’s willingness to descend back to the 125-pound limit, a process some fighters find arduous, adds another layer of intrigue to the potential matchup. He confidently asserts that making weight would not pose a significant challenge, given his current weight and experience in cutting down.
Figueiredo’s record at flyweight, while ultimately culminating in his departure for bantamweight, showcases a period of dominance. He was largely unstoppable, with his only significant hurdle being Brandon Moreno, with whom he engaged in a four-fight saga, yielding a 1-2-1 record. His early career in the UFC was marked by a string of four consecutive victories. A setback against Jussier Formiga via unanimous decision in 2019 proved to be a temporary stumble. He rebounded with a victory over Pantoja, setting the stage for his eventual title reign. Outside of his battles with Moreno, Figueiredo remained undefeated within the flyweight division, solidifying his reputation as a formidable force.
The 2019 victory over Pantoja, while a significant part of Figueiredo’s narrative, adds a layer of complexity to the potential rematch. Five years have elapsed since that encounter, raising questions about the relevance of the outcome in the present context. Both fighters have evolved, honed their skills, and experienced victories and defeats. Despite the passage of time, Figueiredo’s argument for a title shot remains compelling. He represents arguably the most credible and exciting challenge for Pantoja, a fighter who has essentially cleared out the existing flyweight contenders. The potential clash between these two seasoned veterans offers a compelling narrative, fueled by history and a genuine competitive edge.
In a separate development within the UFC landscape, Robert Whittaker, a prominent middleweight contender, offered his perspective on the upcoming rematch between Sean Strickland and Dricus du Plessis for the middleweight title. Whittaker expressed surprise at Strickland’s strategy of patiently awaiting a title shot, a move that ultimately proved successful. He acknowledged Strickland’s steadfast commitment to his approach, which earned him the opportunity to challenge for the championship. However, Whittaker expressed skepticism regarding Strickland’s chances in the rematch. He believes that du Plessis’ aggressive style and game plan will likely yield a similar result to their first encounter. Whittaker questioned whether Strickland could implement any significant changes to alter the outcome, given du Plessis’ proven effectiveness.
The Strickland-du Plessis rematch, scheduled to headline UFC 312 in Sydney, Australia, is set to be a highly anticipated event. The card will also feature a title defense by the reigning UFC strawweight champion, Weili Zhang, against the number one contender, Tatiana Suarez. This doubleheader of championship bouts promises an exciting night of action for fight fans, with both the middleweight and strawweight titles on the line. The contrasting styles and personalities of the fighters involved, coupled with the high stakes of championship competition, guarantee an electrifying atmosphere and a compelling showcase of mixed martial arts prowess.
