UFC flyweight champion Brandon Moreno‘s first title defense will come against a very familiar foe — former champion Deiveson Figueiredo.
Moreno (19-5-2) agreed on Wednesday to defend his 125-pound championship against Figueiredo (20-2-1) at UFC 269 on Dec. 11 at a site to be determined. Contracts for the matchup should be finalized soon. It will mark the third meeting between the two flyweights.
The UFC initially looked into booking Moreno against Brazilian title challenger Alexandre Pantoja. However, Pantoja will not be ready to compete before the end of the year due to a knee injury.
Moreno’s team told ESPN the Mexican champion wanted to fight again before the end of 2021 and was open to any challenger. Moreno, 27, is also committed to keeping the flyweight division moving. Thus far, there has been only one 125-pound title fight this year.
Moreno, of Tijuana, Mexico, claimed the title in a third-round submission victory over Figueiredo at UFC 263 in June. Prior to that, the two fought to a majority draw in November 2020, a bout many considered to be the fight of that year.
Figueiredo, of Belem, Brazil, has campaigned for an immediate rematch ever since his loss to Moreno. He struggled with his health prior to the first fight and was adamant Moreno owed him a rematch since he granted Moreno a second fight after their draw.
A female bantamweight title fight between Amanda Nunes and Julianna Pena is set to headline UFC 269.