Deiveson Figueiredo's rival at UFC Abu Dhabi, Marlon Vera wants to 'send the Brazilian back to flyweight'

Marlon Vera e Deiveson Figueiredo face each other at UFC Abu Dhabi (Photo: Montage/SUPER FIGHTS)

This Saturday (3), at UFC Abu Dhabi, Deiveson Figueiredo enters action for the third time since moving up to UFC bantamweight (up to 61,2 kg) looking to maintain his unbeaten record in the category and get closer to a title fight. On the other side, however, Marlon Vera has other plans: sending the Brazilian back to flyweight (up to 56,7 kg).

In an interview with the North American website 'MMA Junkie', Vera, the last challenger for the bantamweight belt, defeated by champion Sean O'Malley in the UFC 299, in March, praised Deiveson Figueiredo, but made clear his intention to make the Brazilian “an example” for future rivals.

“He is a great fighter. He seems to have a strong punch and seems like a strong guy. He's been using jiu-jitsu and wrestling a lot recently, so maybe he thinks the size difference is too much. He put the last two opponents down, let's see what he brings to the table. I feel like I'm going to make an example of him and I'm going to send him back to flyweight,” said the Ecuadorian.

Deiveson Figueiredo e Marlon Vera face each other in three rounds on the main card of UFC Abu Dhabi, this Saturday (3), in the capital of the United Arab Emirates. The event's main fight is a duel between Cory Sandhagen e Umar Nurmagomedov, also in the rooster division.