Deiveson Figueiredo outpoints Marlon Vera

Former flyweight champ Deiveson Figueiredo needs a shot at bantamweight gold after defeating Marlon Vera at UFC on ABC 7.

On the primary card of UFC on ABC 7 at Etihad Area in Yas Island, Abu Dhabi, Figueiredo (24-3-1 MMA, 13-3-1 UFC) proved to be the higher fighter than Vera (23-10-1 MMA, 15-9 UFC) on the night time, profitable a unanimous choice with scores of 29-28, 29-28 and 30-27.

Figueiredo began issues off by touchdown just a few sharp strikes within the opening exchanges earlier than taking pictures for a well-timed takedown. Vera did nicely to maintain Figueiredo tied up on the bottom, solely receiving a few elbows on the bottom earlier than getting again to his ft. Vera tried a operating knee, however Figueiredo caught him for a takedown to finish the spherical on prime.

Early in Spherical 2, Figueiredo picked his punches and kicks nicely whereas retaining Vera guessing with takedown threats. Because the spherical progressed, Vera turned up his ahead strain, and dug in with just a few arduous leg kicks, making for an in depth body.

Figueiredo instantly got here out in search of a takedown in Spherical 3, however was denied. Repeated punches to the physique from Figueiredo created an enormous opening for him to drop Vera with a clear strike upstairs. Vera returned to his ft shortly, however the clear knockdown by Figueiredo proved to be the most important second of the struggle.

THE FIRST TIME CHITO VERA HAS BEEN KNOCKED DOWN IN HIS UFC CAREER 😳 #UFCAbuDhabi pic.twitter.com/xy0hCq0gSB

— ESPN MMA (@espnmma) August 3, 2024

Throughout his post-fight interview, Figueiredo referred to as for the winner of the upcoming bantamweight title struggle between champ Sean O’Malley and challenger Merab Dvalishvili, which takes place at Noche UFC at Sphere in Las Vegas on Sept. 14.

Figueiredo continues to search out success within the bantamweight division. After making the change from flyweight after arising brief in a fourth title struggle towards Brandon Moreno, Figueiredo has gained three straight at 135 kilos.

Vera, who entered his first struggle since a title-challenge loss to O’Malley, has now misplaced two straight. His final win was a unanimous choice nod over Pedro Munhoz at UFC 292 final August.

Up-to-the-minute UFC on ABC 7 outcomes embody:

• Deiveson Figueiredo def. Marlon Vera through unanimous choice (29-28, 29-28, 30-27)
• Michael Chiesa def. Tony Ferguson through submission (rear-naked choke) – Spherical 1, 3:44
• Mackenzie Dern def. Crazy Godinez through unanimous choice (29-28, 29-28, 29-28)
• Joel Alvarez def. Elves Brener through TKO (knees) – Spherical 3, 3:36
• Azamat Murzakanov def. Alonzo Menifield through knockout (punches) – Spherical 2, 3:18
• Kaue Fernandes def. Mohammad Yahya through TKO (punches) – Spherical 1, 4:45
• Shamil Gaziev def. Don’Story Mayes through unanimous choice (30-27, 30-27, 30-27)
• Guram Kutateladze def. Jordan Vucenic through unanimous choice (29-28, 29-28, 29-28)
• Sam Hughes def. Viktoriia Dudakova through break up choice (27-30, 29-28, 29-28)
• Jai Herbert def. Rolando Bedoya through unanimous choice (30-27, 30-27, 29-28)
• Sedriques Dumas def. Denis Tiuliulin through unanimous choice (29-28, 29-28, 30-27)

For extra on the cardboard, go to MMA Junkie’s occasion hub for UFC on ABC 7.