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Deiveson Figueiredo defeated Brandon Moreno at UFC 270 to reclaim the UFC flyweight championship. The Brazilian picked up a unanimous decision win but Moreno did have his moments in the fight. It will now be interesting to see whether the UFC books a fourth bout between the pair or chooses to change things up.
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Moreno remains very much in play as the next man to face the new champion, although the UFC does now have a decision to make. Top contenders, Askar Askarov and Kai Kara-France, are scheduled to fight on March 26 and the winner of that one will certainly deserve a shot at UFC gold.
Outside of those three men, the chances of being the next one to get a crack at the champion drop off significantly. Still, in the unpredictable world of the UFC, you never know what will happen next and an outsider could conceivably sneak into the title picture should things fall their way.
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Here are five fights that could be next for Deiveson Figueiredo:
#5. Deiveson Figueiredo vs. Brandon Royval
For anyone not in the top three on this list, something rather drastic will have to happen for them to get the next flyweight title shot. That is very much the case with Brandon Royval. However, the American is highly ranked and is fresh off a win, so it's not outside the realms of possibility.
For this bout to happen, one would imagine that a fourth bout between Moreno and Figueiredo would have to be booked shortly after March 26th. Should Moreno have to pull out, both Askar Askarov and Kai Kara-France may be unable to step in as they would've just fought, potentially leaving Royval as the next man up.
Admittedly, this is very much a long shot. One would imagine that Royval needs one or two more wins before he is in a position to command a title shot. He is a fighter who deserves lots of respect and his submission win over Kai Kara-France proves he is a threat to even the most elite flyweights.
#4. Deiveson Figueiredo vs. Alexandre Pantoja II
Prior to the UFC booking the trilogy bout between Deiveson Figueiredo and Brandon Moreno, Alexandre Pantoja was very much in the conversation. While the title has now changed hands, Pantoja is a high-level fighter who could step into a championship bout should some other things fall through in the division.
Pantoja is the No.3 ranked flyweight and is riding a two-fight win streak. He's also proved his ability to go at it with the best as he holds a victory over Moreno and earned Fight of the Night honors in his last bout with Figueiredo.
If the UFC does end up needing a man to step into the title picture at short notice, he appears to be a perfect fit. While it is very unlikely Pantoja's next bout will be for the belt, it will certainly be interesting to see his next move in the division.
#3. Deiveson Figueiredo vs. Kai Kara-France
Kai Kara-France could end up getting the nod if the UFC decides to mix things up. He is scheduled to face Askar Askarov on March 26 with the winner all but guaranteed a title fight after that.
Kara-France has been on quite the roll recently. He's recorded two straight first-round finishes, including a massive win over Cody Garbrandt last time out. Should he win his next fight against the undefeated Askarov, he will be tough to deny an immediate shot at the title.
However, there are some things that could stand in his way. For one, no one has beaten Askarov thus far, so doing that is no small task. Additionally, the timing of their fight would likely mean a long lay-off for Figureredo. Given the Brazilian tends to be an active champion, this might mean Kara-France won't be next up.
#2. Deiveson Figueiredo vs. Askar Askarov
Had the fight between Deiveson Figueiredo and Brandon Moreno finished in a more conclusive manner, Askar Askarov would have been in pole position for the next title shot. The Russian grappler is undefeated in his 15-fight pro career and has won each of his last three bouts.
If the UFC does want a fresh face in the next flyweight title bout, the winner of the fight between Askarov and Kara-France will be the obvious choice. Given the Russian has never lost, he will likely be the favorite heading into that bout and as such deserves his place as number two on this list.
Askarov has never fought Figueiredo but he has fought Moreno to a draw in the past which would add some intrigue should they make this bout. While once again the UFC may not want to wait long enough for Askarov to be the next man up, he is certainly a big player at 125 lbs.
#1. Deiveson Figueiredo vs. Brandon Moreno IV
Traditionally, booking four consecutive title fights between the same two men would not make any sense. However, the rivalry between these two men is so gripping that the demand for another fight may never have been as high as it is now.
Figueiredo's recent win took the series to 1-1-1, making a fourth fight to break the tie an understandable option. These fighters are also by far the two most high-profile names in the division, making it the biggest fight the UFC could put on at 125 lbs.
These two have proved they are incredibly well matched and given they have both been particularly active in the past, they could run a fourth title bout before too long. A fourth fight would be huge for the division and settle this rivalry, allowing other top flyweights to then enter the title picture.
