It was always going to take a certain amount of the planets
aligning before Brandon
Moreno could secure a fourth fight with Deiveson
Figueiredo. Now, it appears everything might be lining up for
the "Assassin Baby."
Moreno, the former Ultimate Fighting Championship flyweight champ, went 1-1-1 with reigning titleholder Figueiredo in the UFC's first-ever uninterrupted trilogy between two fighters. While the trio of fights was for the most part extremely competitive and very entertaining, Figueiredo was the one left standing at the conclusion of their third meeting this January, and popular opinion seemed to be that the two men were holding up an entire division while they settled their feud. It was time to move on.
However, Figueiredo's health and the UFC's apparent impatience conspired to offer Moreno a back door to another title shot, in the form of the interim championship bout scheduled for the co-main event of UFC 277 in Dallas this Saturday. Should Moreno win, a unification bout with Figueiredo, once the lineal champ is healthy, would seem to be a foregone conclusion. The only thing standing between Moreno and his date with destiny is Kai Kara France, the surging New Zealander who is merely the first of the backlog of deserving contenders who have bided their time—and beaten the crap out of each other—as Figueiredo and Moreno have occupied the throne. Alexandre Pantoja and Alex Perez, who appear on Saturday's main card as well, should be close behind. All in all, it's about to become a very interesting time in the UFC men's flyweight division.
Moreno, the former Ultimate Fighting Championship flyweight champ, went 1-1-1 with reigning titleholder Figueiredo in the UFC's first-ever uninterrupted trilogy between two fighters. While the trio of fights was for the most part extremely competitive and very entertaining, Figueiredo was the one left standing at the conclusion of their third meeting this January, and popular opinion seemed to be that the two men were holding up an entire division while they settled their feud. It was time to move on.
However, Figueiredo's health and the UFC's apparent impatience conspired to offer Moreno a back door to another title shot, in the form of the interim championship bout scheduled for the co-main event of UFC 277 in Dallas this Saturday. Should Moreno win, a unification bout with Figueiredo, once the lineal champ is healthy, would seem to be a foregone conclusion. The only thing standing between Moreno and his date with destiny is Kai Kara France, the surging New Zealander who is merely the first of the backlog of deserving contenders who have bided their time—and beaten the crap out of each other—as Figueiredo and Moreno have occupied the throne. Alexandre Pantoja and Alex Perez, who appear on Saturday's main card as well, should be close behind. All in all, it's about to become a very interesting time in the UFC men's flyweight division.
Ben
Duffy/Sherdog.com illustration
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