Former UFC champ demands title shot against Alexandre Pantoja

In a recent development in the UFC, Alexandre Pantoja is in need of a new challenger for his flyweight title after his successful fight at UFC 310. During this event, Pantoja called out retired champion Demetrious Johnson, expressing his desire to face someone worthy. However, Johnson is not currently in active competition, leaving Pantoja in search of alternate opponents. Among those stepping forward is Deiveson Figueiredo, a former flyweight champion, who has shown eagerness to drop back down to flyweight for a title challenge against Pantoja. Figueiredo, who has had a prominent career at bantamweight, mentioned his readiness to make the cut to 125 pounds again, noting that he can reach a weight of around 150 pounds to ensure he can make weight comfortably for the fight. He indicated his current form is such that returning to flyweight would not pose a significant challenge. Figueiredo's past accolades include a stint as the flyweight champion and notable matchups in the division, underscoring his competitive experience. The matchup between Pantoja and Figueiredo garners significant interest as both fighters have history within the division; Figueiredo has previously defeated Pantoja in 2019 and holds a successful 2-1 record in the bantamweight division. The situation places Pantoja in a complex position as he seeks a viable challenger without the availability of more traditional options. Figueiredo's willingness to return to a division where he once claimed dominance suggests potential excitement for UFC fans seeking competitive matchups in the flyweight ranks. Pantoja's call-out and Figueiredo's response may lead to pivotal negotiations and matches in the coming weeks as UFC management aims to keep the flyweight title picture alive and engaging.