Deiveson Figueiredo believes that former opponent and current UFC flyweight champ Alexandre Pantoja can beat Brandon Royval again at UFC 296.
Pantoja will be facing Royval on December 16. It will be a rematch for the two after they last faced each other inside the cage in August 2021. In the bout, Pantoja delivered a submission win against the opponent at the 1:46 mark of Round 2. “Raw Dawg,” nonetheless, made a remarkable comeback after this loss and managed to hit a three-winning streak, giving him the ticket for a rematch against the champ.
Yet, Figueiredo thinks it will be another win for Pantoja. The two crossed paths in 2019 at UFC 240, with Figueiredo winning via unanimous decision. After witnessing the capability of the current champ, “Deus Da Guerra” believes that “The Cannibal” can easily handle the rematch with the No. 2-ranked fighter.
Figueiredo left the flyweight division after facing Rob Font last weekend at the UFC Austin event. Despite now being an official bantamweight fighter making his way to the top of his new weight class, Figueiredo still watches his former division with interest, specifically Pantoja, whom he praised for his professionalism.
“I really like Pantoja. He’s an incredible guy, incredible professional,” Figueiredo said in The MMA Hour interview. “I think he deserves it. He’s a guy that got there (to the title) deservingly. I’m rooting for him. I really like him. I think 95 percent (chance) Pantoja (wins).”
