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 is set for UFC 283.2. Brandon Moreno (20-6-2) | UFC [2]
Moreno claimed interim flyweight gold in impressive fashion at UFC 277, as he hurt Kai Kara France with a body kick and swarmed for the finish at the 4:34 mark of Round 3. The triumph sets up a fourth meeting with rival Deiveson Figueiredo in what has become one of the most entertaining rivalries in the sport. The Moreno-Figueiredo saga currently stands at 1-1-1, so the stakes will be appropriately high in their next meeting, which will come at UFC 283 in Rio de Janeiro.3. Kai Kara France (24-10, 1 NC) | UFC [3]
Things were going relatively well for Kara France in his interim flyweight title bout against Brandon Moreno at UFC 277 before a well-placed liver kick and flurry of punches ended his night 4:34 into Round 3. The setback snapped a three-bout winning streak for “Don’t Blink” and spoiled his hopes of a title unification fight against Deiveson Figueiredo. Kara France is now 7-3 in UFC competition, with two of those defeats coming at the hands of Moreno. Next, Kara France will square off against Alex Perez at UFC 284 in Perth.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. Askarov was unable to make weight for a matchup with Brandon Royval at UFC Fight Nigth 212, resulting in the cancellation of the bout. Askarov has since been released from the UFC.5. Alexandre Pantoja (25-5) | UFC [5]
Pantoja made short work of former title challenger Alex Perez at UFC 277, winning via neck crank 1:31 into the opening round of their flyweight feature. “The Cannibal” has won three straight and four of his last five within the Las Vegas-based promotion. The former Resurrection Fighting Alliance title holder figures to be among the top contenders to face the winner of the fourth meeting between Deiveson Figueiredo and Brandon Moreno in a future championship clash.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, but a proposed meeting with Askar Askarov at UFC Fight Night 212 after his opponent was unable to make weight. Instead, Royval will face Amir Albazi at UFC Fight Night 216. s7. Matheus Nicolau (18-2-1) | UFC [7]
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. Next, he’ll lock horns with Matt Schnell on Dec. 3.8. Alex Perez (24-7) | UFC [8]
In his first appearance since falling to Deiveson Figueiredo in a flyweight title bout in November 2020, Perez was outclassed by Alexandre Pantoja in a first-round submission loss at UFC 277. After beginning his promotional tenure with wins in six of his first seven appearances, the Team Oyama representative has lost back-to-back fights for the the second time in his professional career, which leaves him plenty of work to do if he hopes to reach the top of the division again. Next, Perez will square off against Kai Kara France at UFC 284.9. Matt Schnell (16-6, 1 NC) | UFC [9]
Schnell rallied from the brink of defeat to submit Su Mudaerji in the second round of a thrilling flyweight bout at UFC on ABC 3. “Danger” showcased impressive durability in absorbing heavy fire from his Chinese opponent, and their second-stanza drama figures to be among the leading contenders for “Round of the Year” in 2022 when all is said and done. More importantly, Schnell rebounds from a submission loss suffered at the hands of Brandon Royval at UFC 274 earlier this year to keep himself relevant at 125 pounds. Schnell will return to action against Matheus Nicolau on Dec. 3.10. David Dvorak (20-4) | UFC [10]
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 Czech known as “The Undertaker,” who hadn’t tasted defeat since May 11, 2012.Other Contenders: Rogerio Bontorin, Joshua Pacio, Amir Albazi, Azamat Kerefov, Tim Elliott.
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