Intro
The highly anticipated clash between Petr Yan and Deiveson Figueiredo is set to headline UFC Fight Night 248 in Macau, China. This bout pits two former champions against one another and offers significant implications for their respective careers in the highly competitive bantamweight division. Here is a comprehensive breakdown of the fighters, their journeys, styles, and how this fight might play out.
Fighter Profiles
Petr Yan: The Eternal Technician
- Nickname: No Mercy
- Record: 17-5
- Age: 31
- Height & Reach: 5’7″ (170 cm) | 67″ (170 cm)
- Key Achievements:
- Former UFC Bantamweight Champion
- Two Fight of the Night Bonuses
- Defeated José Aldo to claim the title
Yan rose to prominence with precise striking, high-level boxing, and calculated aggression. A student of the sport, Yan thrives on breaking down opponents with consistent pressure and intelligent adaptations mid-fight. However, he has struggled in recent years, losing razor-thin decisions to top competitors like Aljamain Sterling (twice) and Sean O’Malley. Despite his setbacks, Yan is coming off a win against the talented Chinese boxer Song Yadong and remains a top contender due to his technical skill set and sheer durability.
Deiveson Figueiredo: The God of War
- Nickname: Deus da Guerra (God of War)
- Record: 21-3-1
- Age: 36
- Height & Reach: 5’5″ (165 cm) | 68″ (173 cm)
- Key Achievements:
- Former UFC Flyweight Champion
- Most consecutive flyweight title defences (4, tied)
- Earned multiple Performance of the Night bonuses
This is Figueiredo’s fourth fight at bantamweight after years of pushing his body to the limits to make the 125-pound flyweight limit. So far, the move has been a success, defeating three creditable top ten level bantamweight in Rob Font, Cody Garbrandt and Marlon Vera. Known for his raw power and submission prowess, Figueiredo’s explosiveness and ability to adjust mid-fight make him one of the most dangerous fighters to face. His quadrilogy with Brandon Moreno, a historic series of fights, solidified his reputation as a must-watch competitor.
Stylistic Analysis
Striking
Petr Yan is a master of pressure fighting and distance control. His boxing-oriented style, characterised by crisp combinations and body-head attacks, allows him to systematically wear down opponents. Yan excels in cutting off the cage, forcing opponents into exchanges, and leveraging his granite chin to absorb damage if necessary.
Figueiredo, by contrast, thrives on explosiveness. His unorthodox striking combines raw power with unpredictable entries, often catching opponents off guard. While he is not as technically refined as Yan, Figueiredo’s power is unmatched, and his ability to throw fight-ending punches from unconventional angles makes him a constant threat.
Grappling
While striking may dominate this matchup, grappling could play a pivotal role. Yan’s underrated wrestling and ability to control opponents in clinches provide him with a safety net when fights get too chaotic. His trips and throws are highly effective against fighters who overcommit on strikes.
Figueiredo brings a dangerous submission game, particularly his infamous guillotine choke. He is adept at capitalising on scrambles and using his natural strength to secure submissions in transitions. However, his reliance on explosive grappling exchanges can leave openings against a calculated fighter like Yan.
Cardio
Cardio will likely determine the outcome of this fight. Yan is known for his relentless pace, often growing stronger as fights progress. His endurance allows him to overwhelm opponents in later rounds, as seen in his fights against José Aldo and Cory Sandhagen.
On the other hand, Figueiredo has historically struggled with endurance, particularly in high-paced battles. Moving up to bantamweight may alleviate these issues. Still, it remains to be seen how he adjusts to fighting bigger opponents over a full 25-minute duration, especially one with the skillset of Petr Yan.
Tactical Considerations
- For Petr Yan:
- Keys to Victory: Yan must control the pace and avoid Figueiredo’s early power shots. Using his jab to disrupt Figueiredo’s rhythm and setting up takedowns or clinches could neutralise the Brazilian’s explosiveness.
- Potential Challenges: Figueiredo’s unpredictability could catch Yan early, particularly if Yan underestimates the Brazilian’s striking angles or submission setups.
- For Deiveson Figueiredo:
- Keys to Victory: Figueiredo must start strong, leveraging his power and explosiveness to hurt Yan early. Establishing dominance in the grappling exchanges could also open opportunities for submissions.
- Potential Challenges: Yan’s durability and adaptability could frustrate Figueiredo if he fails to secure an early finish. Overextending or fading in later rounds might expose him to Yan’s pressure game.
What’s at Stake?
For Petr Yan, a win re-establishes his relevance in the title picture. After that string of controversial losses, a win in this fight following the Song Yadong win serves as a proving ground to demonstrate that he still belongs among the bantamweight elite. A loss, however, could push Yan further down the rankings, jeopardising his status as a top contender.
For Deiveson Figueiredo, this fight could mark his entry into the title picture once Umar Nurmargomedov and Merab Dvalishvili face off. A victory will launch him into the top echelon of bantamweights, while a loss may raise questions about his viability in this weight class against the division’s elite.
Prediction
Outcome: Petr Yan via Unanimous Decision
While Figueiredo has the tools to secure an early finish against most fighters he faces, Yan’s defence, precision, pressure, and endurance favour him in a longer fight, which I imagine occurs here. If the bout goes beyond the second round, expect Yan to take over with his methodical striking and superior conditioning.
This fight epitomises the unpredictability and excitement that fans love about MMA, and with two former champions colliding, the stakes couldn’t be higher. Tune in for what promises to be an electrifying main event at UFC Fight Night 248.
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