Image: John Brannigan/Sherdog.com illustration
Flyweight
1. Deiveson Figueiredo (21-2-1) | UFC [1]
After relocating to Fight Ready in Arizona, Figueiredo evened the score with Brandon Moreno at UFC 270, winning a closely contested unanimous decision in the evening’s co-main event at the Honda Center in Anaheim, Calif., on Jan. 22. In a bout where each round was difficult to score, Figueiredo’s more powerful offense might have made the difference and allowed him to regain the UFC flyweight crown. With the series against Moreno knotted up at 1-1-1, a fourth bout seems well within the realm of possibility, but not until his rival meets Kai Kara France for interim 125-pound gold.2. Brandon Moreno (19-6-2) | UFC [2]
Moreno looked better than ever at UFC 270, but despite a well-crafted game plan, “Assassin Baby” wound up on the wrong end of the scorecards in a unanimous decision loss to Deiveson Figueiredo in the evening’s co-headliner at the Honda Center in Anaheim. Calif., on Jan. 22. While Moreno’s flyweight championship reign ends without a title defense to his credit, the possibility for a fourth bout against Figueiredo is quite likely, as the rivals are 1-1-1 in their three meetings thus far. First, he’ll have to get by Kai Kara France in an interim flyweight title tilt at UFC 277 on July 30.3. Kai Kara France (24-9, 1 NC) | UFC [3]
Kara France scored a significant triumph at UFC on ESPN 33, taking a unanimous verdict over fellow flyweight contender Askar Askarov in a featured affair at the Nationwide Arena in Columbus, Ohio, on March 26. The City Kickboxing representative survived early adversity before asserting himself on the feet to earn his third consecutive triumph — and seventh in nine Octagon appearances overall. The win turned out to be enough to earn “Don’t Blink” an interim title shot against Brandon Moreno at UFC 277 on July 30.4. Askar Askarov (14-1-1) | UFC [4]
Askarov could have locked up a future title shot with a win over Kai Kara France at UFC on ESPN 33, but after a strong start, the Dagestani was unable to dictate the terms of the action down the stretch in a unanimous decision defeat. It’s the first career setback for the man known as “Bullet,” and a resume that includes wins over Joseph Benavidez, Alexandre Pantoja — along with a draw against Brandon Moreno — means that he shouldn’t be too far removed from contention. He’ll look to get back in the win column when he faces Alex Perez on July 16.5. Alexandre Pantoja (24-5) | UFC [5]
Thanks to a powerful right hand and a crafty submission game, Pantoja overcame Brandon Royval’s exhausting pace for a second-round rear-naked choke victory in a featured matchup at UFC on ESPN 29 at the UFC Apex in Las Vegas. Pantoja has won three of his last four promotional outings and notably owns two victories over former champ Brandon Moreno — one at UFC Fight Night 129 and one on “The Ultimate Fighter 24.” Pantoja will attempt to inch closer to a title shot when he faces Alex Perez at UFC 277.6. Brandon Royval (14-6) | UFC [6]
Royval enhanced his reputation as one of the division’s most exciting flyweights, as he rallied for a first-round submission victory against Matt Schnell at UFC 274 on May 7. After being dropped by a right hand early, Royval scrambled his way out of danger before diving on a guillotine choke to secure his third victory via tapout in the Octagon. Royval has faced nothing but tough competition in the Octagon thus far, and that figures to continue on the heels of his latest performance.7. Alex Perez (24-6) | UFC [7]
Perez’s attempt to take Deiveson Figueiredo to the mat proved to be ill advised in their UFC 255 title bout, as the reigning flyweight champion applied a tight guillotine choke to earn a tapout 1:57 into the opening stanza at the UFC Apex in Las Vegas. Perez has been victorious in six of his eight promotional appearances, with his only defeats coming to Figueiredo and Joseph Benavidez. A scheduled UFC 269 showdown with Matt Schnell fell through when his opponent was not medically cleared to compete. The clash was then rebooked for UFC 271 but canceled after Perez missed weight. Instead, Perez will lock horns with Alexandre Pantoja at UFC 277.8. Matheus Nicolau (18-2-1) | UFC [8]
Nicolau was a step ahead of David Dvorak all night at UFC on ESPN 33, repeatedly beating the Czech to the punch on his way to a well-deserved unanimous decision. In snapping Dvorak’s incredible 16-fight win streak, he extended his own tally to five straight since dropping his UFC debut to Dustin Ortiz nearly four years ago. With consecutive wins over Top 15-quality fighters in Manel Kape, Tim Elliott and now Dvorak, the 29-year-old Brazilian has done more than enough to certify himself a contender at flyweight.9. David Dvorak (20-4) | UFC [9]
After kicking off his UFC tenure with three consecutive victories, Dvorak came up short against Matheus Nicolau in a unanimous decision defeat at UFC on ESPN 33. That setback ended an impressive 16-fight professional winning streak for the for Czech known as “The Undertaker,” who hadn’t tasted defeat since May 11, 2012.10. Matt Schnell (15-6, 1 NC) | UFC [10]
Schnell started fast against Brandon Royval in their preliminary encounter at UFC 274, dropping his opponent with a right hand early in the bout. However, “Danger” couldn’t get the better of the scrambles on the mat, and he ultimately succumbed to a guillotine choke in the opening stanza. “The Ultimate Fighter 24” cast member has one just one of his last four promotional appearances after winning four straight from October 2017 to August 2019. Next, Schnell will lock horns with Su Mudaerji at UFC on ABC 3.Other Contenders: Rogerio Bontorin, Joshua Pacio, Amir Albazi, Azamat Kerefov, Tim Elliott.
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