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Report: Deiveson Figueiredo set for bantamweight debut against Dominick Cruz in September

Former UFC champions will collide when Deiveson Figueiredo makes his bantamweight division debut against two-time former titleholder Dominick Cruz. First reported by Igor Ribeiro, Figueiredo will make his official move to 135 in September for a clash with division staple Dominick Cruz. A specific date was not provided, but the likeliest scenario will pit the […]

Former UFC champions will collide when Deiveson Figueiredo makes his bantamweight division debut against two-time former titleholder Dominick Cruz.

First reported by Igor Ribeiro, Figueiredo will make his official move to 135 in September for a clash with division staple Dominick Cruz. A specific date was not provided, but the likeliest scenario will pit the two fighters against one another on September 9 when the promotion heads back to Australia for UFC 293.

“Deiveson Figueiredo is very close to dating his debut in the French pesos,” Ribeiro said in a translated tweet. “The former flyweight champion negotiates to face Dominick Cruz, in September. Or verbal agreement is feito! ‘My employer is talking. It will be now for September,’” Figueiredo confirmed per the report.

DEIVESON VS DOM IS COMING SOON

Deiveson Figueiredo vs Dominick Cruz
September | 135 lbs | per @eiigorribeiro pic.twitter.com/r2bIgUAHYi

— Spinnin Backfist (@SpinninBackfist) July 7, 2023

Figueiredo and Cruz Will Both Be Looking to Get Back in the Win Column

Deiveson Figueiredo will make his way to the bantamweight division after etching his name in the history books at flyweight, capturing the 125-pound crown twice, and competing in the promotion’s first-ever quadrilogy against reigning flyweight champ Brandon Moreno. Boasting a 10-3-1 record inside the Octagon, 21-3-1 overall, ‘Deus Da Guerra’ will look to add another division’s gold to his already impressive collection.

But first, Figueiredo will need to pass a very tough test when he meets perhaps the most celebrated bantamweight in the history of MMA, Dominick Cruz. ‘The Dominator’ was long considered to be the best 135’er in the game, but a series of serious injuries plagued Cruz throughout his career and kept him out of the Octagon for long stretches of time. During his time away, Cruz has made his presence known at the commentary table, often working alongside Daniel Cormier and Jon Anik to offer his own unique take on the fight game during live broadcasts.

Cruz’s last appearance inside the Octagon came in August 2022 when he suffered a brutal fourth-round head kick KO against Marlon ‘Chito’ Vera. Prior to that, Cruz had back-to-back wins against Casey Kenny and Pedro Munhoz.

Israel Adesanya reveals prior sparring session with UFC rival Dricus du Plessis: ‘I just messed him up’

Undisputed middleweight champion, Israel Adesanya has revealed he previously sparred with arch-rival, Dricus du Plessis years ago – claiming that when it came to striking exchanges between the two, he “messed up” the South African. Adesanya, the current and two-time undisputed middleweight champion, most recently headlined UFC 287 back in April of this year, successfully […]

Adesanya, the current and two-time undisputed middleweight champion, most recently headlined UFC 287 back in April of this year, successfully reclaiming the divisional crown with a stunning second round KO win over Alex Pereira in the pair’s UFC rematch.

As for du Plessis, the Pethora native most recently improved to 6-0 since his transition to the UFC back in 2020, securing a second round corner’s stoppage TKO win over common-opponent, Derek Brunson at UFC 285 in March.

Slated to return in an official middleweight title-eliminator at UFC 290 in July during Interational Fight Week, du Plessis will take on former middleweight champion and soon-to-be common-foe, Robert Whittaker – with the victor poised to fight Adesanya for gold later this year.

Israel Adesanya reveals prior sparring session with Dricus du Plessis

Making his feelings on a potential clash with du Plessis known, Adesanya claims he bested the former during striking exchanges in a prior sparring session.

“So, you know what’s funny? What’s funny to me – I remember this, we actually sparred,” Israel Adesanya said during an appearance on IMPAULSIVE. “We actually sparred. Hey, sparring is sparring. Alsjo you know what, I’m coming from China. I was doing kickboxing over there, I had no MMA, nothing. I was just kickboxing. I had MMA already, but it wasn’t sharp. It was blunt. My Jiu-Jitsu was blunt, very blunt.”

“So, we’re sparring – I don’t know if we did two rounds or one, it’s so long ago as well,” Israel Adesanya explained. “This is 2014, so, long ago. I remember like on the grappling he had me. But on striking, I just messed him up.” (Transcribed by MMA News)

Israel Adesanya welcomes trilogy championship fight with Robert Whittaker, open to UFC 293 clash

Expected to make his first attempted defense of his second reign as undisputed middleweight champion against either former champion, Robert Whittaker, or Dricus du Plessis – defending gold holder, Israel Adesanya welcomes a third fight with the former, as well as a turnaround in September at UFC 293 ‘Down Under’. Adesanya, the newly minted undisputed […]

Adesanya, the newly minted undisputed middleweight champion, managed to land the division crown for the second time during his tenure with the promotion, landing a stunning second round KO win over Brazilian rival and former champion, Alex Pereira at UFC 287 back in April of this year.

Twice previously sharing the Octagon with Whittaker back in 2019, and in February of last year, Adesanya holds both knockout and decision wins over the former division kingpin, respectively.

Israel Adesanya open to trilogy title fight with Robert Whittaker at UFC 293

And with the Octagon slated to return to Sydney, Australia on September 10. next – Adesanya, who has been earmarked to headline the pay-per-view return to the region, expects Whittaker to take out du Plessis in their International Fight Week title-eliminator.

“I’d say Rob (Robert Whittaker) can probably get him (Dricus du Plessis) out of there in the second round, or just beat him up for three rounds,” Israel Adesanya said on his YouTube channel. “Dricus’ only chance – I don’t like to say there’s no way, because there’s always a way, but he can’t outlast Rob. I think Rob will be faster than him, fitter than him, so he might just have to make it ugly. But Rob can also fight ugly as well, so we’ll see. …but I really want Dricus [next].”

As for a turnaround against Whittaker potentially as soon as September at UFC 293, Adesanya admits that he is wholly open to the possibility of rekindling their fight series.

“No [it doesn’t bother me],” Israel Adesanya said of a third fight with Robert Whittaker. “I think there’s another story there. It’s in a new city in Australia, another stadium, I’m sure. …This one, it will be a nice day. I like it in Syndye. It will be a sunshine-y day.” (Transcribed by MMA Fighting)

‘Strong rumors’ suggest Jon Jones, Sergei Pavlovich title fight targeted for UFC 293 in Australia

Former middleweight and light heavyweight title challenger, Chael Sonnen, has claimed that he has heard “strong” rumblings that a fight between undisputed heavyweight champion, Jon Jones, and surging knockout artist, Sergei Pavlovich is currently “pursued” for a UFC 293 pay-per-view card on September 10. in Syndey, Australia. Sonnen, a former UFC and Bellator contender turned […]

Sonnen, a former UFC and Bellator contender turned analyst and podcast host, revealed that he had been hearing rumors of a potential heavyweight title fight between Jones and Russian heavyweight knockout ace, Pavlovich for the promotion’s return ‘Down Under’.

Chael Sonnen plays up September clash between Jon Jones and Sergei Pavlovich

Initially Jones was earmarked to return at UFC 295 in November at an annual Madison Square Garden event – taking on the returning former two-time titleholder, Stipe Miocic, however, according to Sonnen, that bout is now “up in flames”.

“I’m hearing strong rumors that Stipe (Miocic) and (Jon) Jones is going to go up in flames and that Sergei Pavlovich vs. Jones is happening in August,” Chael Sonnen told Thiccc Boy. “Strong enough that I can tell you that’s at least being pursued. I don’t know where they are in agreeing, but that’s at least being pursued. And if you did have partners in Australia, you promised them ‘Izzy’ (Israel Adesanya) and you said, ‘Look, I can’t deliver but I can bring you Jones and Pavlovich, are we good?’ They’d probably says, ‘Yeah, we’re good.’”

“I have to give jon Jones credit, I really do and that pains me,” Sonnen explained. “I got to give him credit here because people have said he was going to fight Stipe then he was going to retire. It’s like wll, hold on, people. Let me remind you of one thing. When you talk about the mindset, you talk like Jon Jones doesn’t have the courage, let me just remind you he thought he was fighting Francis (Ngannou), he agreed to fight Stipe, and he ended up in there with Ciryl (Gane).” (Transcribed by MMA Mania)

Dana White teases surprising announcement about Israel Adesanya’s opponent for UFC 293

At the UFC Vegas 73 press conference, Dana White just so happened to mention that the UFC will be releasing an announcement about who Israel Adesanya’s opponent will be for UFC 293. When asked about what a quick turnaround it would be for the winner of the Dricus Du Plessis vs. Robert Whittaker fight to […]

At the UFC Vegas 73 press conference, Dana White just so happened to mention that the UFC will be releasing an announcement about who Israel Adesanya’s opponent will be for UFC 293.

When asked about what a quick turnaround it would be for the winner of the Dricus Du Plessis vs. Robert Whittaker fight to face Adesanya just two months later, Dana White smiled. An indication that he knew an utter bombshell will soon be released upon the world. We’ll make that announcement soon (about who Israel Adesanya will fight at UFC 293),” the UFC President said, with a giant grin on his face.

I asked about the possible 2 month turnaround for Whittaker/Du Plessis against Izzy for UFC 293 – and Dana teased an announcement pic.twitter.com/xdpS4RC9Jv

— Alex Behunin (@AlexBehunin) May 21, 2023

This leaves the world still in the dark about exactly who Adesanya’s opponent will be, but there has been rampant speculation and things have pretty much been narrowed down to about three fighters.

Who might be facing Israel Adesanya at UFC 293?

The biggest looming fight in the middleweight division right now is undoubtedly the upcoming Robert Whittaker and Dricus Du Plessis scrap. This fight is taking place in July during international fight week at UFC 290.

Both men have seemingly done enough for a title shot. Whoever walks away as the victor would no doubt be next up for a battle with the middleweight champion, however, scheduling issues are coming into play.

Israel Adesanya is badly needed to headline UFC 293, and that PPV is only two months after the Du Plessis and Whittaker fight. This obviously throws a wrench in things, as 8 weeks is really not enough time to recuperate from a fight and then train for a gigantic title fight against the young legend that is Adesanya.

Another potential fight for ‘The Stylebender’ could actually be against the light heavyweight champion Jamahal Hill. While Jiri Prochazka is supposed to be making a comeback this year from an injury that has kept him sidelined, it does not appear set in stone that he and Hill are as of now arranged to fight. So, Adesanya could very well sneak into the light heavyweight title contention and once again try to become a double champ. Or, we could even see Jamahal Hill step down a weight class and challenge for the middleweight title.

Whatever happens, it does seem that Israel Adesanya’s next opponent will be announced very soon, according to what the UFC president Dana White said at the UFC Vegas 73 press conference.