Macau, China – November 22: (LR) Russia’s Petr Yan and Brazil’s Deiveson Figueiredo during the UFC Fight Night weigh-in at Andaz Macau on November 22, 2024 in Macau, China Confront. (Photo by Jeff Bottari/Zuffa LLC)
Petr Yan looked for his second straight win in the main event of UFC Macau on Saturday when he faced rising former flyweight champion Deiveson Figueiredo.
Since arriving in the 135-pound division, Figueiredo has been on a three-fight win streak. Meanwhile, Yang defeated Song Yadong earlier this year, earning his first win since 2021.
Figueiredo was able to get Yan back by defeating him in the first 30 seconds of Saturday’s main event. Yan was able to control Figueiredo’s arm and turn the tables. Yan maintained control for most of the rest of the round.
Yan began to use his readings from the second round, landing powerful leg kicks and aerial strikes. Yan needed to respect Figueiredo a little more because Figueiredo hit him hard. At the end of the second round, Yan landed a stunning trip on the former flyweight champion.
As Figueiredo tried to change levels, Yan dropped him with a sneaky uppercut. Midway through the third round, the fight looked like a typical Petr Yan performance. Yan teed off with success in Figueiredo and showed why “No Mercy” is his nickname.
The main shot that Yang was having success with was the uppercut. Figueiredo attempted a bob and weave but was unable to avoid Yan’s attack.
At the end of round 4, Yan got sloppy and a “Deus da Guerra” dropped him.
This match was truly a showcase match for the UFC bantamweight division. Yan looked like his old self and Figueiredo was in great form. In the fifth round, both fighters were barely breathing heavily. Both fighters used the best weapons in their arsenals and traded blows, with Yang gaining the upper hand in most of the exchanges.
After a great fight, the two former champions jumped on top of the cage and hugged. However, Petr Yan won by unanimous decision.
After the fight, Yan requested a rematch with UFC bantamweight champion Merab Dvalishvili. Merab said Figueiredo is the number one contender in the division, but could Petr Yan get the next shot at the title? Umar Nurmagomedov might have something to say about that.
Official result: Petr Yan def. Deiveson Figueiredo by unanimous decision (50-45, 50-45, 50-45)
