Deiveson Figueiredo: Dominick Cruz Targeted Opponent for Bantamweight Debut

Deiveson Figueiredo might have a high-profile fight lined up for his bantamweight debut.

On the same week that longtime rival Brandon Moreno will defend his flyweight crown against Alexandre Pantoja at UFC 290, the former title holder reaffirmed his plans to compete at 135 pounds in an interview with Canal do Marinho. He also indicated that his first bantamweight foray could come against an ex-champion.

“By all indications, I may fight Dominick Cruz in September,” Figueirdo said. “I'm really moving up to the division where I'm going to get healthier. Fighting at flyweight was very complicated. I sacrificed a lot to make weight.

“I only met Dominick once in an elevator, and I could see that he is a very tall guy, bigger than me, but when it comes to the fight, everyone is the same height.”

Figueiredo claimed the vacant flyweight strap with a first-round submission of Joseph Benavidez at UFC Fight Night 172 before defending the title with an opening-round finish of Alex Perez at UFC 255. His next four bouts came against Moreno, including most recently, when he relinquished the flyweight crown in a third-round TKO defeat at UFC 283 in January.

The 38-year-old Cruz last appeared at UFC on ESPN 41, where he suffered a fourth-round knockout loss to Marlon Vera last August.