Marlon Vera failed to convince the judges in his unanimous decision loss to reigning champ Sean O’Malley at UFC 299, but remains the fourth-ranked challenger in the UFC bantamweight division despite falling to defeat in two of his past three fights. Deiveson Figueiredo looks to remain undefeated since making the move to bantamweight late last year. The UFC veteran is coming off victories over Rob Font and Cody Garbrandt in his first two fights at 135 pounds but has failed to string together three straight wins since 2020.

Figueiredo has emerged as a narrow -145 favourite on the UFC Abu Dhabi odds. Vera trails as a +120 underdog, and the odds of this fight going the distance are pegged at a short -250.

Marlon Vera Odds

Marlon Vera has endured some hard luck in his recent outings, but has also proven his ability to absorb plenty of punishment while going the distance in championship rounds. “Chito” was largely outclassed in his recent bid for the title against Sean O’Malley, failing to win a round in that contest, but still managed to go a full five rounds despite getting outstruck by a massive 232-89 margin. The 31-year-old also struggled to stay on his feet is his split decision loss to Saturday night’s headliner Cory Sandhagen, but redeemed himself with a decisive victory over Pedro Munhoz at UFC 292.

Vera is at his best when he is on his feet, and leads all active UFC bantamweights with 10 wins and six finishes. He also has four submission wins to his credit, but Vera has struggled at level changes in recent fights, failing to successfully execute a takedown in eignht iof his past nine fights.

Deiveson Figueiredo Odds

Deiveson Figueiredo gained legendary status while battling Brandon Moreno for the UFC flyweight crown in four straight epic fights, which ended with Moreno claiming the strap with a third-round TKO win at UFC 283. With his focus now fixed on claiming the UFC bantamweight title, “Deus Da Guerra” brings a wealth of experience gained from his unforgettable clashes with Moreno after seeing 11 of his first 21 pro fights end inside five minutes.

Sporting impressive striking power, Figueiredo leads all UFC flyweights with 11 career knockdowns and has seen nine of his 23 career wins come by knockout or TKO. However, it is his ability to change levels and dominate on the mat that make the 36-year-old Brazilian so dangerous. He has clearly maintained that edge in his move to bantamweight, with five takedowns recorded in his two fights to date.

UFC Fight Night Abu Dhabi Prediction: Marlon Vera vs Deiveson Figueiredo

While Vera has demonstrated his ability to finish opponents while on his feet, he has consistently struggled with level changes. That is bad news for the 31-year-old Ecuadorian, as he gets set to face for champion Deiveson Figueiredo, who brings a much more complete toolbox to this feet, and should make yet another jump up the UFC rankings with a dominant win on the mat on Saturday night.

Prediction: Deiveson Figueiredo by submission (+1100)