Figueiredo Wants Flyweight Return, Eyes Joshua Van Title

Deiveson Figueiredo says he has asked the UFC to move him back down to flyweight for a title shot against champion Joshua Van, declaring he would "knock him out" if the promotion makes the fight. The former two-time flyweight champion made the request during UFC 332 media day ahead of his bantamweight bout with Payton Talbott this Saturday, Oct. 3, 2026, at Delta Center in Salt Lake City.

"I've been asking the UFC and telling them I will make that weight very easy," Figueiredo said through a Portuguese-to-English translator. "I've been asking them to just make the fight. I want that opportunity, and let's see if his boxing is as good as mine." Asked directly if he was serious about cutting back to 125 pounds, Figueiredo didn't hedge: "Two hundred percent. It needs to happen. UFC gives me the opportunity, I go out there and knock him out."

Why Figueiredo's Flyweight Pitch Faces Long Odds Right Now

The timing works against Figueiredo more than the matchup itself does. Joshua Van has already built a claim on his next challenger, and it isn't the man calling him out from bantamweight. Van enters this conversation off a dominant title defense, having gone 11-1 in the octagon, including a Fight of the Year-candidate flyweight title defense against Pantoja at UFC 331, a win that came on top of a prior successful defense against Tatsuro Taira and a win over Brandon Royval. The UFC's more obvious next assignment for Van is Manel Kape, who is on a four-fight knockout streak and has already been promised a crack at the belt.

Figueiredo's own flyweight resume still carries weight, including a win over former champion Alexandre Pantoja from their 2019 war, a result that could have fueled a title push years ago. That window looks closed now, with the division having moved on and Pantoja already running it back with Van twice.

None of that changes what's directly in front of Figueiredo. Talbott is a hungry 27-year-old prospect looking to add a former two-division-caliber name to his resume, and Figueiredo has to get through him before any 125-pound conversation becomes real.

Betting Angle

Figueiredo campaigning publicly for a Van fight is the kind of talk that can move futures markets on flyweight title odds even before the UFC commits to anything, but bettors should treat it as speculative for now. Kape remains the far more logical next challenger given his win streak and the standing promise from the promotion, which means any market pricing Figueiredo into title contention should be viewed skeptically until the UFC actually lines up the fight. The more immediate betting relevance is Saturday's co-main event, where Figueiredo's power at 135 pounds against a rising prospect like Talbott will shape whether "Deus da Guerra" even gets to keep making noise about a return to 125.

Frequently Asked Questions

What did Deiveson Figueiredo say about fighting Joshua Van?

Deiveson Figueiredo said he has asked the UFC to send him back to flyweight for a title shot against champion Joshua Van, stating he can make 125 pounds easily and predicting he would knock Van out.

Who is Deiveson Figueiredo fighting at UFC 332?

Deiveson Figueiredo faces bantamweight prospect Payton Talbott in the co-main event of UFC 332 on Saturday, Oct. 3, 2026, at Delta Center in Salt Lake City.

Is Joshua Van's next fight already set?

Joshua Van has not been reported with a confirmed next opponent, though Manel Kape is widely seen as the leading contender after being promised a title opportunity following his four-fight knockout streak.