UFC Norfolk was a lot of things and dramatic was one of them. Deiveson Figueiredo missed weight for his flyweight title fight against Joseph Benavidez. Thus making him ineligible to win the title. Making things worse from a promotional standpoint, he managed to knock out Benavidez. Which in the process leaves the flyweight title vacant once again.
Also on the card was the majority of the women’s featherweight division. Megan Anderson knocked out Norma Dumont in the first round. While Felicia Spencer was also able to secure a TKO win over Zarah Farin Dos Santos in the co-main event. Today we will take a look at what’s next for the flyweight and women’s featherweight divisions, among others.
Deiveson Figueiredo
Since he did not win the title this past weekend and has never missed weight by a significant amount, it is likely that the UFC gives him another chance to make weight. The only question remains, who will be his opponent. He has gone on record saying that he thinks he should just have a rematch with Benavidez. What does that mean for guys like Jussier Formiga, Alexandre Pantoja, and Brandon Moreno? Do they just get put on the shelf until this situation works itself out?
A very unpopular suggestion is that the UFC should get rid of the flyweight division completely. While Figueiredo has spent the majority of his career coming in at 126, he’s only had the one miss — with admittedly bad timing. The UFC can’t possibly force Figueiredo up to bantamweight based on one instance, especially when he was within striking distance. On the other hand, though, their division loses some validity if the best fighter in the division cannot manage to make the weight.
If the UFC does choose to keep the division the obvious choice should be for Benavidez to have his rematch with Figueiredo. Giving Figueiredo a chance to make weight and Benavidez another chance to win the title.
Figueiredo’s Next Fight: Rematch With Joeseph Benavidez
Felicia Spencer
There are only two women who fit the bill to challenge for the women’s featherweight title and they are Felicia Spencer and Megan Anderson. Champion Amanda Nunes has gone on record saying her next fight will be at UFC 250 in May. This timeline works out for both Spencer and Anderson, the UFC just needs to decide who to pick. The deciding factor more then likely comes down to the fact that Spencer has already defeated Anderson.
Spencer’s Next Fight: Title Shot – Amanda Nunes – UFC 250
Magomed Ankalaev
Magomed Ankalaev won a first-round TKO over Ion Cutelaba at UFC Norfolk in yet another controversial fight. Cutelaba said after the fight that his gameplan was to “act stunned” so that Ankalaev would charge him and engage in a brawl. Cutelaba was hit cleanly by a head kick and did just that. He continued to “act stunned” for about 15 seconds after the initial strike and referee Kevin Macdonald called the fight. The stoppage was so controversial because Cutelaba was in the middle of throwing counterstrikes when Macdonald stopped the fight. We also witnessed how emotional and not stunned Cutelaba really was as soon as the fight was stopped. One would have to assume the only thing that would make sense for these fighters is to run it back.
Ankalaev’s Next Fight: Rematch With Ion Cutelaba
Who do you guys think these fighters should fight next? Let us know in the comment section down below.
