UFC 255: Figueiredo vs Perez Main Card Preview

The UFC returns this Saturday with UFC 255 at the APEX Facility in Las Vegas, Nevada with two titles on the line.

In the main event, UFC flyweight champion Deiveson Figueiredo makes his first title defense against Alex Perez who substituted for the injured Cody Garbrandt. In the co-main event, UFC women’s flyweight champion Valentin Shevchenko will look for the fourth consecutive successful defense of her title against challenger Jennifer Maia in the co-main event of the evening. Likewise, former UFC light heavyweight champion Shogun Rua will rematch Paul Craig after their first bout ended in a split draw.

Let’s take a look at the fights and make our predictions:

Deiveson Figueiredo vs Alex Perez

Deiveson Figueiredo is the current UFC flyweight champion. The 32-year old Brazilian is the 14th ranked pound for pound fighter in the UFC. He captured UFC gold by choking out Joseph Benavidez at UFC Fight Island 2. The Brazilian god of war heads to this bout having won his last four bouts, the last three by stoppage. Figueiredo is an orthodox fighter who stands 5-5 tall with a reach of 68 inches. He has a record of 19-1 with nine knockouts and seven submissions.

Alex Perez is the no.4 ranked flyweight in the UFC. The former Tachi Palace flyweight champion also fought for RFA, KOTC, and CFFC before joining the Contender Series. After earning his UFC contract, he has won six of seven UFC bouts. Perez has won his last three bouts, the last two being first-round stoppages. He is 5-6 tall with a reach of 55 inches while fighting out of the orthodox stance.

This should be a terrific but underrated main event. Perez is a fun scrapper who has decent striking and can be effective for three full rounds. He looks like he’s found a groove and is coming off a big win over Jussier Formiga. However, when I evaluate Perez, I liken him to Joseph Benavidez whom Figueiredo mauled twice. I think the champion has more balance to his attack. He is also the bigger and longer fighter here and size should play a factor. Perez eats too many shots trying to get in striking distance. Figueiredo stops him with something really powerful.

Prediction: Deiveson Figueiredo -270

Valentina Shevchenko vs Jennifer Maia

Valentina Shevchenko is the reigning UFC women’s flyweight champion and the no. 3 ranked female pound for pound fighter in the promotion. The 32-year-old Russian-Peruvian fighter is considered one of the best strikers in the sport. Shevchenko is a former multiple-time Muay Thai and Kickboxing world champion. She won the flyweight title by defeating Joanna Jedrzejczyk at UFC 231. Since that win, she has successfully defended the title three times. Bullet is a southpaw who stands 5-5 tall with a reach of 66 inches. She has a record of 19-3 with six knockouts and seven wins via submission.

Jennifer Maia is the no. 3 ranked female flyweight in the promotion. The 32-year old Brazilian is a former Invicta FC flyweight champion who vacated her belt in 2018 to join the UFC. She is 3-1 inside the UFC octagon with her only loss coming at the hands of Catlyn Chookagian. In her last bout, she submitted Joanne Calderwood to earn her first title shot. Maia is 5-4 tall with a reach of 64 inches while fighting out of the orthodox stance. She has a record of 18-6 with four knockouts and five wins via submission.

Shevchenko has looked unbeatable at this weight class and there’s no question why she’s such a heavy favorite heading to this bout. Bullet can win the fight in many ways. She’s one of the best strikers in the business and is also a Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu black belt. She can fight moving forward or on her back foot and has the finishing ability if she goes for it. Maia is a very solid fighter but without disrespect to her, she is completely outmatched against one of the best fighters in the promotion. If there’s a way she can win this fight, it’s by submission. However, I’m not sure if she can take Valentina down. I think the champion will overpower her challenger.

Prediction: Valentina Shevchenko by KO,TKO or DQ at -120 via BetOnline.ag

Mike Perry vs Tim Means

Mike Perry fought for Square Ring Promotions and Premier FC before joining the UFC in 2016. Platinum has had an up and down tenure in the UFC and has a record of 7-6 inside the octagon. The 29-year old from Flint, Michigan has a record of 14-6 with 11 knockouts. One of the most interesting personalities in the UFC, Perry is 5-10 tall with a reach of 71 inches while fighting out of the orthodox stance.

Tim Means is the former King of Cage lightweight and junior lightweight champion. The 36-year old from Oklahoma also fought for Legacy FC after his first stint with the UFC. Dirty Bird is is just 3-4 in his last seven fights but is coming off a win over Laureano Strapoli. Means is 6-2 with a 75-inch reach and fights out of the orthodox stance. He has a record of 30-12 with 19 knockouts and five wins via submission.

Means is a crafty veteran who is taking this fight on short notice after Robbie Lawler pulled out. He has a four-inch reach advantage over Perry but I’m not sure if that will be a factor here because I expect these two to brawl. If Perry can stay away from Means’ elbows and knees, he should have a good chance of finishing this fight. Means would like to fight at a distance where his reach will come into play. But Perry should be able to force him to a phone booth war where Platinum will be victorious.

Prediction: Mike Perry -149

Katlyn Chookagian vs Cynthia Calvillo

Katlyn Chookagian is the no. 2 ranked female flyweight in the UFC. The 31-year old from Quakertown, Pennsylvania is a former CFFC women’s flyweight and bantamweight champion. Chookagian is just 3-3 in her last six bouts but her losses have come against Jessica Eye, Valentina Shevchenko, and Jessica Andrade. She is 5-9 tall with a reach of 68 inches and fights out of the orthodox stance.

Cynthia Calvillo is the no.4 ranked female flyweight and the 10th ranked women’s pound for pound fighter in the UFC. Calvillo fought for Global Knockout and LFA before joining the UFC. She won her first three bouts before suffering her first career loss to Carla Esparza. She is 3-0-1 since then and is coming off a win over Jessica Eye. Calvillo is 5-4 tall with a reach of 64 inches and is an orthodox fighter.

Calvillo is the smaller fighter here but she has more pop in her punches and would dominate Chookagian if this fight goes to the ground. Chookagian doesn’t have elite finishing power and she is coming off back to back losses, including a violent loss to Jessica Andrade just one month ago. Calvillo is improving and she is coming off a blowout win over Jessica Eye. Calvillo has more ways to win here and she has plenty of momentum. You can’t ask for more in a favorite.

Prediction: Cynthia Calvillo -260

Mauricio Rua vs Paul Craig

Mauricio Rua is the former 2005 PRIDE Middleweight Grand Prix champion and former UFC light heavyweight champion. The 38-year old Brazilian has resurrected his career with a 5-1-1 record in his last seven bouts. Looking for one more title run, Shogun is coming off a win over Minotouro Nogueira in his last bout. He is 6-1 tall with a reach of 76 inches and is an orthodox fighter. Rua has a record of 27-11 with 21 knockouts and 1 win via submission.

Paul Craig is the 15th ranked light heavyweight in the UFC and the former BAMMA world light heavyweight champion. The 32-year old Scottish fighter joined the UFC in 2016 and is 4-4-1 inside the UFC Octagon Craig has a record of 13-4 with one knockout and 12 wins via submission. He heads to this fight after a first-round submission of Gadzhimurad Antigulov last July. Craig is an orthodox fighter who stands 6-3 tall with a reach of 76 inches.

These two fought to a split draw in their first bout. In the first bout, Craig unloaded on Shogun early on and almost put the Brazilian away in the first round. But he gassed, leading the fight to go the distance, and finishing in a draw. This time around, Shogun won’t have the hometown crowd backing him. Rua will be turning 39 very soon and he’s no longer the durable fighter he once was. This fight will be in a smaller cage which will be to the advantage of the younger fighter. I think Craig will be smarter here. He should be able to pace himself and bring the fight to the slower fighter. I like Paul Craig to win here, and I don’t think it will go the distance. However, Shogun is still dangerous and has a real shot at an upset here.

Prediction: Fight Does Not Go The Distance -120

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