Deiveson Figueiredo vs Brandon Moreno Rematch Targeted for June 2021

The expected rematch between UFC flyweight champion Deiveson Figueiredo and no. 1 contender Brandon Moreno is being targeted for June.

In an interview with BJPenn.com, Figueredo’s longtime manager Wallid Ismail said that the rematch is 100% happening and that they are working on a June booking for the fight.

Last month, UFC president Dana White said that he expects the rematch to take place in April or May, in a pay-per-view event. Moreno also told MMAJunkie earlier this week that he was expecting an April date but is willing to wait on the champion. He won’t have to wait too long if the rematch can be finalized in June.

One of the Best Flyweight Bouts Ever

It can be recalled that Figueiredo and Moreno fought in one of the best flyweight bouts ever inside the UFC Octagon. The two battled back and forth in an absolute war that ended in a majority draw. Figueiredo kept his belt in only the 4th draw in UFC title fight history. But the decision kept everyone hanging, including UFC President Dana White who said immediately after the fight that a rematch must happen.

Figueiredo beat Joseph Benavidez in February 2020 but was ineligible to win the belt because he missed weight. They fought again for the vacant title five months later and Figueiredo finally won the strap after knocking out Benavidez in their rematch. The Brazilian then made his first title defense against Alex Perez at UFC 255, in an event where Moreno knocked out Brandon Royval to solidify his claim as number 1 contender.

Three weeks later, Figueiredo and Moreno were booked to fight each other at UFC 256, making Figueiredo the first fighter to headline two successive numbered events. The 21-day gap between UFC 255 and UFC 256 was also the shortest turnaround time for a champion and challenger in UFC history.

Figueiredo is Betting Favorite in Rematch

With a rematch already foreseen right after the decision was announced, the best UFC betting sites were quick to put up the betting lines for a run back between the two flyweights. Online sportsbook Bovada opened Figueiredo at -275 last December while the number 1 ranked Moreno was listed at +215 when the lines first opened.

The latest betting odds at Sportsbetting.ag reveal that Figueiredo is still the odds on favorite to keep his title at -235 with Moreno coming back as the +200 betting underdog. That means that backers need to wager $235 to win $100 on the champion while a $100 bet on the challenger will pay out $200 if he pulls off the upset.

Don’t let the lines deceive you. though. These were the same betting lines when the odds closed at UFC 256 and we all know what happened in that fight. Figueiredo and Moreno are well-matched up and expect another exciting fight when these two elite flyweights meet for a second time.