Petr Yan and Deiveson Figueiredo are on a collision course for the UFC bantamweight championship. The former champion promises an action-packed main event in Macau, China on Saturday.
Yan (17-5) is reviving a once-prosperous career. Yan won his first seven fights in the UFC and won the UFC bantamweight title. It collapsed soon after that. Yan lost the title to Aljamain Sterling by disqualification, and after a brief detour in which he defeated Cory Sandhagen for the interim title, he also lost in a rematch that he was expected to win. Losses also followed against Sean O’Malley and Merab Dvalishvili. Yan takes minimal consolation from losing to three UFC champions, but was buoyed by a comeback victory over Song Yadong in March.
“I showed that I don’t give up when most people would,” Yan told CBS Sports through an interpreter. “That’s my mentality. That’s where my heart is. Looking at our division, I believe we can beat all of these guys.”
Yan must defeat Figueiredo to maintain his No. 3 spot in the UFC’s official bantamweight rankings. Once he steps inside the Octagon, he will be a heavy favorite in the betting odds. Reigning champion Dvalishvili previously told CBS Sports Figueiredo that he praised Yan’s plan, saying he was the most deserving of a title shot.
“If Merab says Figueiredo should fight for the belt, and I beat Figueiredo, I need to know what Merab will say after that,” Yan said.
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Figueiredo (24-3-1) is encouraged by the belief he has nothing to prove. He’s not worried about his legacy as he approaches becoming a rare two-division champion. The two-time UFC flyweight champion has a perfect 3-0 record since moving up to bantamweight in December. Yan claimed that Figueiredo faced mid-level competition at 135 pounds. Figueiredo invites Yan to prove his point.
“Everyone wanted to welcome me to this division,” Figueiredo told CBS Sports through an interpreter. “Rob Font said he wanted to welcome me. I came out on scene and thanked him for the welcome. Then Cody Garbrandt said he’d like to show me what the department is like. I went to the scene , I showed him the thing and thanked him.” Then Marlon Tito Vera said he was going to kick my ass, so I went over there and kicked his ass, but I I can’t wait for the opportunity to thank you for your welcome. give it to me
“He’s a very dangerous guy and I’m ready for him. It’s going to rain in the Octagon on Saturday and I think we’ll work out some things in person.”
Dvalishvili called out Figueiredo at the expense of Umar Nuromagomedov. Nurmagomedov (No. 2) is ranked higher than Figueiredo (No. 5), and most believe he is entitled to the next title shot after defeating Sandhagen. Figueiredo did not claim he was more deserving of the title than Nurmagomedov, but was adamant that he would call out the champion after defeating Yan.
“If I beat Petr Yan, I’ll call Merab’s name,” Figueiredo said.
Watch the full interview with Deiveson Figueiredo below.
Below are the rest of Saturday’s fight card and the latest odds before we make our predictions for the main event.
UFC fight night card, odds
Petr Yan -320
Deiveson Figueiredo +250
bantamweight
Yang Xiongnan -195
Tabitha Rich +165
women’s strawweight
Muslim Salikhov -175
Song Kenan +145
Welterweight Wang Kong -1200
Gabriela Fernandez +700
Women’s flyweight Carlos Ulberg -235 Volkan Oezdemir +195
Light Heavyweight Zhang Mingyang -350
Ozzie Diaz +275
light heavyweight
UFC Fight Night viewing information
Date: November 23rd | Start time: 6am ET (main card)
Location: Galaxy Arena — Macau, China
TV Channel: ESPN+
prediction
Petr Yan vs. Deiveson Figueiredo: Figueiredo had tremendous power at flyweight. That power translated well into the heavier weight classes, but he won’t be able to bridge that distance Saturday. Yan may be the hardest striker in the bantamweight division, but unlike Figueiredo, he’s never finished. Both men are familiar faces, having fought five rounds. Figueiredo should benefit even more from the weight loss and improve his stamina over a 25-minute period. Yan is a better striker, producing more power, better strike differential, and higher strike rejection rate. Figueiredo’s biggest advantage over his fellow champion is his submission attacks, but Yan’s wrestling is excellent. Figueiredo will have a hard time getting the fight serious and it will be hard to get on his side. Expect Yang to pull away with force. Mr. Yang unanimously decided
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