Petr Yan and Deiveson Figueiredo are on a collision course toward the UFC bantamweight championship. The former champions promise an action-packed main event in Macau, China on Saturday.
Yan (17-5) is breathing life back into his once successful career. Yan won his first seven UFC fights and ultimately won the UFC bantamweight title. It collapsed soon after. Yan lost the title to Aljamain Sterling by disqualification and – after a brief detour against Cory Sandhagen for the interim title – lost the rematch he was supposed to win. This was followed by defeats against Sean O'Malley and Merab Dvalishvili. Yan finds defeat against three UFC champions minimal consolation, but feels restored by his upset win over Song Yadong in March.
“I showed that I didn’t give up when most people would,” Yan said CBS Sports through an interpreter. “That’s my mentality. That's my attitude. Looking at our division, I think I can beat all of these guys.”
Yan must defeat Figueiredo to maintain his third spot in the official UFC bantamweight rankings. He will be a big favorite Betting odds as he enters the octagon. Reigning champion Dvalishvili previously told CBS Sports that Figueiredo was most deserving of a title shot, and Yan plans to steal the praise.
“If Merab says Figueiredo should fight for the belt and if I beat Figueiredo, we have to find out what Merab will say after that,” Yan said.
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Figueiredo (24-3-1) is encouraged by the belief that he has nothing to prove. He's not worried about his legacy as he moves toward the goal of potentially becoming a rare two-division champion. The two-time UFC flyweight champion is a perfect 3-0 since moving up to bantamweight in December. Yan claimed that Figueiredo was facing moderately heavy competition at 135 pounds. Figueiredo encourages Yan to prove his point.
“Everyone wanted to welcome me to the division,” Figueiredo told CBS Sports through an interpreter. “Rob Font said he wanted to welcome me. I went out and thanked him for welcoming me. Then it was Cody Garbrandt who said he would show me what the department was all about. I went out and thanked him by showing him things.” . Then Marlon “Chito” Vera said he would kick my ass and kick his ass, but I can’t wait to thank Yan for welcoming me.
“He is a very dangerous guy and I am prepared for him. It’s going to rain in the Octagon on Saturday and I think we’re going to sort some things out 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 that he was more deserving of a title shot than Nurmagomedov, but assured that he would proclaim champion after defeating Yan.
“If I beat Petr Yan, I will call Merab,” Figueiredo said.
Check out the full interview with Deiveson Figueiredo below.
Below you'll find the rest of Saturday's fight card with the latest odds before we predict the main event.
UFC Fight Night card, odds
| Petr Yan -320 | Deiveson Figueiredo +250 | Bantamweights |
| Yan Xionan -195 | Tabatha Ricci +165 | Straw weights for women |
| Muslim Salikhov -175 | Song Kenan +145 | Welterweights |
| Wang Cong -1200 | Gabriella Fernandes +700 | Women's flyweights |
| Carlos Ulberg -235 | Volkan Ozdemir +195 | Light heavyweights |
| Zhang Mingyang -350 | Ozzy Diaz +275 | Light heavyweights |
UFC Fight Night ad information
Date: November 23rd | Start time: 6 a.m. ET (main card)
Location: Galaxy Arena – Macau, China
TV channels: ESPN+
forecast
Petr Yan vs Deiveson Figueiredo: Figueiredo had incredible power at flyweight. That power has translated well to a heavier weight class, but won't extend beyond the distance on Saturday. Yan is probably the strongest striker in the bantamweight division and, unlike Figueiredo, has never been finished. Both men are known for fighting for five rounds. Figueiredo will also benefit from a weight reduction that should improve his endurance over 25 minutes. Yan is the superior striker: he produces higher power, a better hit differential and a higher percentage of blocked shots. Figueiredo's biggest advantage over his fellow champion is his submission attacks, but Yan's wrestling is great. Figueiredo will have a hard time getting the fight right, making it difficult to take his side. Expect Yan to escape on his feet. Yan by unanimous decision
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