RIO DE JANEIRO — Former UFC flyweight champion Deiveson Figueiredo believes Merab Dvalishvili has earned the title of bantamweight greatest of all time — yet he’s confident he can find a way to dethrone him.
Speaking ahead of his clash with Montel Jackson at UFC Rio, Figueiredo praised Dvalishvili for his historic run while making it clear that he wants that fight next.
“He’s been doing an excellent job,” Figueiredo told MMA Fighting. “We can see he’s almost tied with the best in terms of title defenses in the organization. I give him that credit, yes. And for me, it would be a pleasure to fight him.”
Dvalishvili is riding an incredible 14-fight win streak, including victories over Cory Sandhagen, Jose Aldo, Henry Cejudo, Sean O’Malley, and Umar Nurmagomedov. His dominant decision win over Sandhagen at UFC 320 marked his second title defense and cemented his place among the elite.
Figueiredo Eyes Two-Division Glory
Figueiredo’s move to bantamweight has been filled with ups and downs. The Brazilian earned impressive wins over Rob Font, Cody Garbrandt, and Marlon Vera, but later dropped a decision to former champion Petr Yan.
After recovering from a knee injury suffered in his fight with Sandhagen, Figueiredo is back and ready to prove he belongs among the top contenders.
“Against Cory, I came in dealing with serious injuries, and even so I still fought and didn’t let the fight get cancelled,” Figueiredo said. “Now, on Saturday, I want to go in 100 percent, show what I’m capable of, and get that win. And of course, I’ll definitely ask for a title shot.”
What’s Next for Figueiredo
With Dvalishvili’s dominance at 135 pounds, a matchup with Figueiredo could bring fresh excitement to the division. If the former flyweight champion delivers a standout performance at UFC Rio, his wish for a title shot might not be far off.
Stay tuned to AthleticFeed.com for all the latest UFC Rio results, fight news, and updates on Deiveson Figueiredo’s path to gold.