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Deiveson Figueiredo, fresh off a dominant victory over Cody Garbrandt at UFC 300, is setting his sights on another former UFC champion, Dominick Cruz, for UFC 303 in June.
In a recent interview with Canal Encarada, Figueiredo expressed his desire for the matchup, stating,
"Dominick has a big name and everybody knows the history he has in the UFC. He works for the UFC and is always in the spotlight, and I hope to one day get to fight him."
Cruz, a seasoned bantamweight veteran with a storied career in both the UFC and WEC, presents an intriguing challenge for Figueiredo. Despite coming off a loss to Marlon Vera in his last fight, Cruz's technical skills and experience make him a formidable opponent.
Figueiredo's move to the bantamweight division has been impressive, with victories over Cody Garbrandt and Raulian Paiva. His desire to face Cruz stems from his belief that Cruz could be the key to earning a shot at the bantamweight title.
"I think [Cruz] is an opponent that could take me to a title fight," Figueiredo emphasized.
Training alongside Bellator legends Patricio Pitbull and Patricky Pitbull in Brazil, Figueiredo has remained focused on his goal of securing a fight with Cruz. He extended his stay in Las Vegas after UFC 300, engaging in recovery work at the UFC Performance Institute to ensure he's in prime condition for his next bout.
The timing aligns perfectly for Figueiredo, who is eager to compete at UFC 303 on June 29 in Las Vegas, ideally as part of the card headlined by Conor McGregor.
"I’m staying ready," Figueiredo affirmed. "For me, it would be sensational to fight on the McGregor card in June. That depends on [Cruz] signing the contract, and I’ll be ready. I want to fight him. I want to make this fight happen."
The anticipation for a potential showdown between Figueiredo and Cruz adds excitement to the bantamweight division, promising fans an enthralling clash between two elite fighters.