Dominick Cruz Targeted Opponent for Bantamweight Debut

Deiveson
Figueiredo might have a high-profile fight lined up for his
bantamweight debut.

On the same week that longtime rival Brandon
Moreno will defend his flyweight crown against Alexandre
Pantoja at UFC 290, the former title holder reaffirmed his
plans to compete at 135 pounds in an interview with Canal do
Marinho. He also indicated that his first bantamweight foray could
come against an ex-champion.

“By all indications, I may fight Dominick
Cruz in September,” Figueirdo said. “I’m really moving up to
the division where I’m going to get healthier. Fighting at
flyweight was very complicated. I sacrificed a lot to make
weight.

“I only met Dominick once in an elevator, and I could see that he
is a very tall guy, bigger than me, but when it comes to the fight,
everyone is the same height.”

Figueiredo claimed the vacant flyweight strap with a first-round
submission of Joseph
Benavidez at UFC Fight Night 172 before defending the title
with an opening-round finish of Alex Perez at
UFC 255. His next four bouts came against Moreno, including most
recently, when he relinquished the flyweight crown in a third-round
TKO defeat at UFC 283 in January.

The 38-year-old Cruz last appeared at UFC on ESPN 41, where he
suffered a fourth-round knockout loss to Marlon Vera
last August.