Petr Yan Outduels Deiveson Figueiredo in a Thrilling UFC Showdown
What a night it was in Macau, China, as two former champions, Petr Yan and Deiveson Figueiredo, clashed in a UFC Fight Night main event that had fans on the edge of their seats. If this fight had taken place back in 2020, it would have been a champion-vs.-champion superfight. But even in 2024, with both fighters no longer holding titles, the stakes were sky-high as they battled to reclaim their place among the elite.
For those who might not remember, Yan and Figueiredo both captured UFC gold in July 2020, just a week apart. Yan claimed the bantamweight title, while Figueiredo reigned as the flyweight king. However, their reigns were short-lived, and both have been on a mission to climb back to the top ever since. On Saturday, it was Yan who took a massive step forward, earning a unanimous-decision victory over Figueiredo in a dominant performance.
Yan’s Dominance on Full Display
The fight didn’t start ideally for Yan (18-5), as Figueiredo (24-4-1) managed to secure a takedown within the first 30 seconds. But Yan quickly turned the tables, reversing the position and delivering punishing blows from the top. From that moment on, it was all Yan. He controlled the fight from start to finish, winning every single round on the judges’ scorecards (50-45, 50-45, 50-45).
Yan’s striking was a thing of beauty. He landed more than double the significant strikes of Figueiredo (121-53) and showcased pinpoint accuracy, particularly with his lead uppercuts that repeatedly snapped Figueiredo’s head back. Despite the one-sided nature of the fight, Figueiredo, a two-time champion, showed flashes of his dangerous self, especially during a furious flurry late in Round 4 that briefly had Yan on the back foot. But Yan quickly regained control and cruised to his second consecutive victory.
Yan Calls Out Merab Dvalishvili
After the fight, Yan wasted no time setting his sights on the next challenge. He called out current bantamweight champion Merab Dvalishvili, making it clear he believes he’s ready for a title shot.
“Before my fight, Merab talked Deiveson Figueiredo [as his] No. 1 contender who deserves title fight,” Yan said. “I want to say, ‘Merab, what you say now, when I beat No. 1 contender in my division?’ I want to do a match with Merab. Let’s go.”
Yan is currently ranked No. 5 in ESPN’s bantamweight rankings, while Figueiredo sits at No. 7. With this win, Yan has certainly strengthened his case for a shot at the belt.
Other Highlights from UFC Fight Night
The main event wasn’t the only exciting matchup on the card. Here’s a quick rundown of the other notable fights:
- Yan Xiaonan vs. Tabatha Ricci: In the co-main event, Yan Xiaonan, ranked No. 4 in the strawweight division and No. 10 in the women’s pound-for-pound rankings, delivered a masterclass against No. 10 Tabatha Ricci. Yan dominated from start to finish, winning a unanimous decision (30-27, 30-27, 30-27). She outstruck Ricci 78-15, including a 16-0 edge in significant strikes in Round 1. After the fight, Yan called out champion Zhang Weili, demanding a rematch.
- Volkan Oezdemir vs. Carlos Ulberg: In a light heavyweight bout, No. 8-ranked Volkan Oezdemir fell to Carlos Ulberg via unanimous decision (30-27, 30-27, 29-27). Ulberg has now won seven straight fights.
- Feng Xiaocan’s Scary Moment: In the 115-pound finale of the Road to the UFC tournament, Feng Xiaocan suffered a brutal head-kick knockout at the hands of Shi Ming. Feng was stretchered out of the Octagon and taken to a hospital. Fortunately, the broadcast later confirmed that she sustained no fractures or neck injuries but remained under observation.
What’s Next for Yan and Figueiredo?
For Yan, the path forward seems clear. With two straight wins and a dominant performance over a top-10 opponent, he’s knocking on the door of a title shot. His callout of Merab Dvalishvili adds an extra layer of intrigue to the bantamweight division.
As for Figueiredo, the 36-year-old’s four-fight win streak has come to an end, but he remains a dangerous contender. Whether he stays at bantamweight or returns to flyweight, fans can expect him to bounce back with the same ferocity that made him a two-time champion.
Saturday’s UFC Fight Night reminded us why we love this sport. It’s not just about titles or rankings—it’s about heart, skill, and the relentless pursuit of greatness. And for Petr Yan, the journey back to the top is just getting started.
Originally Written by: Jeff Wagenheim
