The Ultimate Fighting Championship on Saturday will get reacquainted with Norfolk, Virginia, as Joseph Benavidez squares off with Deiveson Figueiredo for the vacant flyweight title in the UFC Fight Night 169 main event at Chatway Arena. Stakes are high across the board.
WHO HAS THE MOST TO GAIN?
Joseph Benavidez: After toiling away for nearly a decade as a flyweight pioneer, Benavidez has one more shot to earn the title that has eluded him his entire career. Over an expansive run in mixed martial arts, Benavidez has posted a 15-3 record inside the UFC, with losses to only the flyweight division’s elite. He remains one of the top fighters in the promotion’s who has never won a championship. However, Benavidez has his best opportunity yet to strike gold, so long as he uses his speed, avoids Figueiredo’s power and uses his advantages in the grappling department to keep the Brazilian guessing.
Deiveson Figueiredo: The once-beaten Figueiredo nets his first chance at a championship after just seven appearances in the promotion. He has shown startling finishing skills for a flyweight, as 14 of his 17 wins have come by knockout, technical knockout or submission. While Figueiredo has proven himself as a well-rounded martial artist, he makes his money with his fists with striking power that ranks well above average by divisional standards. In order for the Brazilian to succeed in his quest for flyweight gold, he needs to avoid the temptation to headhunt and instead look to chain together combinations before landing one of his knockout blows in transition. The longer the fight goes, the better his chances are at nullifying the speed advantage Benavidez carries into the Octagon against virtually every opponent.
Ion Cutelaba: At 4-3 since he joined the UFC roster, Cutelaba has experienced his fair share of difficulty finding his footing in the light heavyweight division. However, after stopping Khalil Rountree in impressive fashion, he once again finds himself within reach of the Top 15 at 205 pounds. What does Cutelaba have going for him? Power, power and more power. “The Hulk” is a physical specimen who turns up his aggression to the max from bell to bell. His best bet against the skilled Magomed Ankalaev? A hellacious start in which he overwhelms his opponent with volume and damage.
WHO HAS THE MOST TO LOSE?
Felicia Spencer: In a losing effort against Cristiane Justino on July 27, Spencer did more to improve her stock than she did in almost any of her wins. In that bout, she displayed the sort of toughness that will endear her to UFC powerbrokers. Need evidence? Look no further than her co-main event assignment against Zarah Fairn dos Santos. Spencer can reaffirm her standing as one of the only viable threats to Amanda Nunes’ reign at 145 pounds, and another impressive outing could conceivably land her a title fight against a woman many observers regard as the greatest female mixed martial artist of all-time. Against Fairn dos Santos, Spencer would be wise to stick with what got her to the dance by utilizing her superior grappling skills to either submit the British Association of Mixed Martial Arts veteran or wear her down with ground-and-pound.
Megan Anderson: The Australian has experienced considerable difficulty in acclimating to the UFC, but after a first-round stoppage of Fairn dos Santos in October, she has some welcomed momentum entering her fifth appearance inside the Octagon. Due to the lack of depth at 145 pounds, Anderson with an impressive performance has a legitimate chance to leapfrog a few peers and establish herself as the No. 1 contender for Nunes’ women’s featherweight crown. Norma Dumont Viana is a talented grappler and will undoubtedly shoot for takedowns early and often. Anderson will be best served by establishing range with her jab and kicks while keeping her opponent at the mercy of her massive size and reach advantages.
Marcin Tybura: Great expectations were placed on Tybura following his notable run in M-1 Global, but the Polish heavyweight has underwhelmed under the bright lights of the UFC. An abysmal 1-4 record across his last five outings likely places him on the chopping block ahead of his battle with Sergey Spivak. Tybura is a well-rounded heavyweight and figures to strike against a proven grappler like Spivak. With that said, his chin has become a major concern: Tybura has succumbed to strikes in each of his last three losses. He can get sloppy with his hands—they often hang at his side while he stands in the pocket—and even against a grapple-minded opponent, Tybura must also be wary of Spivak’s punching power.