As UFC 324 approaches on Saturday, the featured prelim bout is a bantamweight fight that could shape the title picture later this year. Second ranked contender Umar Nurmagomedov will face former two-time flyweight champion Deiveson Figueiredo in a fight that is expected to be one of the more lopsided of the night in Las Vegas. Nurmagomedov is a massive favorite. Can Figueiredo pull off the upset and pick up a second straight win? Find out below as I bring you my Umar Nurmagomedov vs Deiveson Figueiredo prediction.
Our Umar Nurmagomedov vs Deiveson Figueiredo Pick
Pick: Nurmagomedov via Decision
Confidence: ★★★★☆
Tale of the Tape
| Umar Nurmagomedov | Deiveson Figueiredo | |
|---|---|---|
| Age | 30 | 38 |
| Height | 5’8” | 5’5” |
| Reach | 69 inches | 68 inches |
| Record | 19-1 | 25-5-1 |
Umar Nurmagomedov vs Deiveson Figueiredo Preview
Umar Nurmagomedov is the younger of the two fighters in this matchup. He has established himself as one of the premier bantamweight contenders with a 19-1 record and a wrestling base that he has steadily improved along with his striking. After only one professional loss in his career, Nurmagomedov rebounded and continues to hunt another title shot. His only career loss came against Merab Dvalishvili in a title fight and a win here could give Nurmagomedov a shot at Petr Yan or whoever holds the bantamweight crown in the near future.
On the other side, Deiveson Figueiredo arrives as one of the most feared finishers in UFC history, especially in the lower weight classes. His success at flyweight included notable victories over high-caliber opponents and two championship reigns. After moving up to bantamweight, he has shown he can still compete and hold his own, including wins over seasoned fighters like Rob Font, Cody Garbrandt, Marlon Vera, and Montel Jackson. However, his recent losses to the division’s elite and signs of age catching up to him have dampened expectations for another title run for the Brazilian.
Physically, Nurmagomedov holds advantages in height and reach, and his wrestling is among the best in the division. With a takedown rate that keeps pressure on his opponent and a striking output that wears opponents down, he presents a difficult challenge for Figueiredo’s smaller frame. Figueiredo’s power and finishing instincts remain dangerous, but against a technically sharp grappler who can continually dictate where the fight takes place, his path to victory may hinge on explosive moments few fighters can consistently generate against elite wrestlers.
Betting Odds
- Umar Nurmagomedov: -1450
- Deiveson Figueiredo: +850
- Over/Under 2.5 Rounds: Over -175, Under +135
Umar Nurmagomedov vs Deiveson Figueiredo Prediction
From a strategic standpoint, this fight should favor Nurmagomedov’s style and strengths. Expect him to use his superior wrestling to take Figueiredo down repeatedly, force scrambles, and control the pace of the fight for most of the scheduled three rounds. Nurmagomedov should win this fight and I’ll take him to win by decision to hand Figueiredo his third loss in his last four fights.
Figueiredo’s path to victory likely involves catching Nurmagomedov in a scramble or landing a hard punch in a moment where the Russian overcommits offensively. But I don’t think that is going to happen and I’ll go with the heavy favorite in a fight that goes the distance.
