Brandon Moreno

What’s next for Alex Perez after UFC 255?

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This past weekend at UFC 255, Alex Perez (24-6) got his shot at the flyweight championship when he took on Deiveson Figueiredo (20-1). Perez started the contest off pretty well landing some decent shots.

He then shot in for a takedown on the UFC flyweight champion. Perez was deep on a single leg, but Figueiredo rolled to a leglock to get out of the position. Once Perez was out of the leglock, he followed Figueiredo to the ground.

However, Figueiredo did an incredible job of transitioning to a guillotine choke as soon as they hit the mat. Perez almost appeared out of the choke, but the UFC champion synched it up even tighter and Perez was forced to tap just two minutes into the fight.

It was an incredibly disappointing fight for the Dana White Contender Series veteran. Perez was the first fighter from the contender series to appear in a UFC title fight. However, it ended very quickly and with great disappointment.

After UFC 255, Perez will be forced to go back to the drawing board. The fortunate thing for him is that he really didn’t take any damage in the fight. Because he was submitted and didn’t really get hit, he should be able to turn around quickly.

What’s next after UFC 255?

In looking at the UFC’s flyweight rankings, there are a few good options out there for Alex Perez. One of the options that jumps out to me would be a fight with Askar Askarov (12-0-1) who is actually ranked ahead of Perez.

Askarov is coming off of a victory back on Fight Island over Alexandre Pantoja. The flyweight contender from Dagestan could honestly be one of the next in line for the title, however, there’s a bit of a log jam in the UFC‘s flyweight division.

We already know that Brandon Moreno will be getting the next title shot at UFC 256. Following that fight, I wouldn’t be shocked to see Cody Garbrandt fight the winner seeing as Garbrandt was originally supposed to fight Figueiredo at UFC 255.

With that, Askarov needs an opponent. Both him and Perez currently rank inside the top five so the matchup makes sense to me. Either way, I would expect a pretty quick turnaround for Perez given the way that the fight went on Saturday.

UFC books Deiveson Figueiredo – Brandon Moreno

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It looks like it’s going to be a quick turnaround for the flyweight division. Per ESPN’s Ariel Helwani, the UFC flyweight champion, Deiveson Figueiredo (20-1) has agreed to face top contender, Brandon Moreno (18-5-1) in a few weeks at UFC 256.

Last night at UFC 255, both fighters were successful in the first round. Figueiredo took on Alex Perez in the main event last night. After an explosive back and forth to start the action, Perez tried taking Figueiredo to the ground.

Figueiredo rolled to try to lock up a leg lock, however, Perez forced his way on top. Just after doing that, Figueiredo transitioned beautifully to a guillotine choke which he locked in tight. Perez was forced to tap and Figueiredo made his first UFC flyweight title defense.

Earlier in the featured prelim, Brandon Moreno took on Brandon Royval. The two top contenders had a very back and forth first round until the fight touched the mat. Moreno actually got the better of the grappling exchanges.

Late in the round, Royval’s shoulder popped out of place. He attempted to pop it back in, but Moreno sensed the wounded fighter. Moreno followed up with big ground shots and earned the TKO victory solidifying himself as the top UFC flyweight contender.

Quick Turnaround at UFC 256

After the event was over last night, Dana White said that he wanted to turn around the flyweight title very quickly. He didn’t say when, but he wanted the UFC‘s flyweight title to be up for grabs in December with boy guys getting first round finishes.

Helwani has reported that both men have agreed on UFC 256 on December 12th. It’s a three week turnaround, which is extremely quick. I’m very curious to see how the weight cut goes for Figueiredo who always seems to have trouble with the weight.

Two weight cuts that closely together will be interesting. Nevertheless, the UFC‘s flyweight king is willing to do it. The December PPV has lost two title fights, but this week the card has received a major boost.

The promotion has added this second title fight to go along with Petr Yan – Aljamain Sterling. The promotion also announced that Tony Ferguson would be taking on Charles Oliveira on the card. Big boost this weekend for UFC 256.

Cody Garbrandt wants the UFC flyweight champion in March

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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.

BREAKING: Deiveson Figueiredo gets new opponent at UFC 255

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UFC 255 was dealt a bit of a blow today. First reported by Combate and now confirmed by ESPN, Cody Garbrandt (12-3) is out of his title fight against flyweight champion Deiveson Figueiredo (19-1). Figueiredo will now defend against a new opponent.

The UFC‘s flyweight champion will now be taking on Alex Perez (24-5) per ESPN’s Brett Okamoto. Perez was already scheduled to be on the card taking on Brandon Moreno (17-5-1). However, Perez will now jump into the main event of the evening.

This is a tough blow for the former UFC bantamweight champion, Cody Garbrandt. Garbrandt had gone through a rough time over the past couple of years, but made a big return at UFC 250 where he knocked out Raphael Assuncao.

After that knockout victory, Garbrandt announced he wanted to move down to flyweight to try to capture a second UFC title. Garbrandt wasn’t the biggest guy at bantamweight, and he felt he could easily make 125. His title opportunity is going to have to wait now.

UFC 255’s New Main Event

What a golden opportunity this has turned into for Alex Perez. Perez is currently ranked fourth in the UFC‘s flyweight rankings. He will come into this title fight at 11-1 in his last 12 fights. The only loss coming to Joseph Benavidez back in 2018.

Perez has earned this title shot however, he’s going to have his hands full with the UFC‘s flyweight champion. Figueiredo will be making his first title defense after dominating Joseph Benavidez for the second time back in July.

Figueiredo was able to capture the undisputed UFC flyweight crown by choking Benavidez out cold in the first round. It was the second time this year that Figueiredo had stopped Benavidez cementing himself as the best flyweight in the UFC.

While it’s not the main event everyone wanted, it will still be a very solid flyweight title fight for the promotion. A huge opportunity for Perez and another tough blow for Cody Garbrandt.