"I only missed weight once"- Former UFC flyweight champion wants to drop back down to the weight class for a showdown with Alexandre Pantoja

As Alexandre Pantoja successfully defended his UFC flyweight title for the third time at UFC 310, a former champion of the division expressed his interest in returning to the division to challenge the champion.

Ex-champ Deiveson Figueiredo told Laerta Viana (via Championship Rounds):

"Since [Pantoja] is looking for someone, I think I'm the best option. I'm available, man...In my entire career in the UFC, I only missed weight once... If I have to make weight, I'll go there and fulfill my commitment..."

Figueiredo also added:

"And our first fight wasn't easy for [Pantoja]. It was a three-round fight and I certainly won all three."

Deiveson Figueiredo lost the flyweight championship to Brandon Moreno at UFC 283 via third-round TKO. He moved up to the bantamweight division after the loss where, in his most recent outing at UFC Fight Night: Yan vs. Figueiredo, he suffered a unanimous decision defeat against Petr Yan.

Figueiredo only missed weight once in the flyweight division, when he faced Joseph Benavidez for the vacant UFC flyweight title at UFC Fight Night: Benavidez vs. Figueiredo.

Alexandre Pantoja moves up in UFC's Pound-for-Pound rankings with his win at UFC 310

Alexandre Pantoja put on a dominant show at UFC 310 as he submitted Kai Asakura in the first round to defend his flyweight championship. Owing to his performance, "The Cannibal" moved up to No. 9 in the latest pound-for-pound rankings of the UFC. He was also awarded a Performance of the Night award for his dominant outing.

The 34-year-old Brazilian champion was placed at No. 11 while going into the fight. He climbed two positions and is now tied with former welterweight champion Leon Edwards at No. 9.