The fact that Deiveson Figueiredo's bantamweight debut isn't the main or co-main event speaks to the depth of this ESPN card.
Figueiredo moves up to the bantamweight division after a brutal four-fight series with Brandon Moreno for flyweight supremacy. Figueiredo rode prodigious power to the top of the division and will now test whether that power can translate at 135 pounds.
He draws 36-year-old Rob Font who has been in the weight class since his UFC debut in 2014. He's never quite reached the level of title challengers, but he's faced a laundry list of strong 135ers with wins against Cody Garbrandt, Marlon Moraes and Thomas Almeida highlighting the resume.
Font is a strong kickboxer who is good at managing distance. Figueiredo doesn't have much experience as the smaller fighter and was able to bully a lot of his opponents at 125 pounds. At bantamweight, those advantages are going to be smaller.
It's something that he'll have to figure out if he wants to make a run at the championship in his new weight class. If Font were a few years younger, he might be in position to get the upset.
However, he's just 1-4 in his last five fights so it's hard to pick him here.
Prediction: Figueiredo via decision
Gambling Problem? Call (877-8-HOPENY) or text HOPENY (467369).
If you or someone you know has a gambling problem, crisis counseling and referral services can be accessed by calling 1-800-GAMBLER (1-800-426-2537) (IL/IN/MI/NJ/PA/WV/WY), 1-800-NEXT STEP (AZ), 1-800-522-4700 (CO/NH), 888-789-7777/visit (CT), 1-800-BETS OFF (IA), 1-877-770-STOP (7867) (LA), visit OPGR.org (OR), call/text TN REDLINE 1-800-889-9789 (TN), or 1-888-532-3500 (VA).
Odds and lines subject to change. 21+ (18+ NH/WY). AZ/CO/CT/IL/IN/IA/LA/MI/NH/NJ/NY/OR/PA/TN/VA/WV/WY only. Eligibility restrictions apply. See for full terms and conditions.
