Tonight at UFC 255, Deiveson Figueiredo (20-1) completely dominated his first challenger in Alex Perez (24-6). Figueiredo showed beautiful skills on the ground on his way to pulling off a guillotine choke in the first round.
It was a dominant performance by the UFC‘s flyweight champion. However, he didn’t fight the guy he was originally scheduled to face. Originally, Figueiredo had a different challenger. A former world champion.
That former world champion was former UFC bantamweight champion, Cody Garbrandt (12-3). Garbrandt was scheduled to take on Figueiredo in the main event of UFC 255. However, a torn bicep forced Garbrandt off the card.
Garbrandt was going to be making his flyweight debut fighting for the title. Back in the summer at UFC 250, Garbrandt snapped a three fight losing streak with a highlight knockout over Raphael Assuncao.
After the knockout, rumors started circulating around what Garbrandt wanted to do next. He decided he wanted to drop down and try to capture a second UFC title. He’s been healing up and he has a timeframe on when he wants his shot.
UFC flyweight title fight in March?
After the event concluded tonight, Garbrandt told ESPN’s Brett Okamoto, “Alex Perez was just someone they gave Figueiredo to build up our fight more. I knock that guy (Figueiredo) out in the first or second round. I’ll be ready by March.”
It appears that Garbrandt has laid down the time table for his return to the UFC. The promotion has not said anything regarding Garbrandt’s status as a top contender since he fell out of this fight with the torn bicep.
After UFC 255, Dana White announced that Figueiredo would likely be fighting again in a few weeks. He told the media that he wanted Figueiredo to defend his title in December against top contender Brandon Moreno.
Both fighters had a first round finish at UFC 255. If the promotion does book that fight, Garbrandt seems primed to welcome the winner around March or April.