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UFC Fight Night 169: Flyweight Division Gets Messier

Saturday’s main event between Joseph Benavidez and Deiveson Figueiredo was supposed to crown a new flyweight champ. Instead, the flyweight belt remains vacant, which again raises the question: Is the flyweight division worth keeping?

Despite knocking out Joseph Benavidez in the second round, Deiveson Figueiredo left the octagon without the flyweight belt, due to weighing in over the limit. As it stands today, the flyweight division is without a champion.

The future of the flyweight division is more uncertain now than ever, yet it is not the right time to do away with the 125lb class.

Benavidez and Figueiredo put on an entertaining fight while it lasted. The fighters had the Virginia crowd on its feet just one minute into the bout when Benavidez narrowly escaped an arm-bar submission attempt from Figueiredo. For the majority of the inaugural round, Figueiredo danced on the outside as Benavidez threw wild overhands and hooks in search of the knockout.

Figueiredo effortlessly switched between orthodox and southpaw throughout the fight and he began to consistently land strikes early in the second round. Less than two minutes into the second, Benavidez, who repetitively dipped his head throughout the fight, was badly cut above the left eye as result of a clash of heads. Seconds later, Figueiredo landed a vicious right hand which put Benavidez on the canvas.

All in all, the fight was a display of elite mixed martial arts and Figueiredo deserves a chance to fight again for the flyweight belt. The only question is who does he face?

Jussier Formiga can make Dana White’s decision a little easier if he defeats Brandon Moreno on March 14th. Formiga won via decision over Figueiredo when the two fought about 11 months ago. Thus, it is likely that Figueiredo would welcome a fight against Formiga so he can attempt to avenge his loss.

Admittedly, besides hoping for an impressive performance from Formiga in two weeks, there are not many viable options to compete for the flyweight belt. The other top names in the rankings include: Alexandre Pantoja, Brandon Moreno, Askar Askarov, and Kai Kara France. However, not one of the previous names is going to attract PPV numbers in any way.

The best case scenario for the flyweight division is a win from Jussier Formiga on March 14th, which would allow him to fight Figueiredo for the flyweight belt in the summer. The winner of that could face the division’s most well-known fighter, Henry Cejudo at the end of the year.

The flyweight division needs a few dominoes to fall its way in order for it to have a successful 2020. If things continue to head south, the division could cease to exist in 2021. This is not the time to terminate the flyweight division though.  

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