Deiveson Figueiredo questions Alexandre Pantoja's strategy against Joshua Van

Deiveson Figueiredo is about to face Payton Talbott at UFC 332 in a bantamweight matchup, but he also has his eyes on the flyweight division. A former two-time champion of that weight class, Figueiredo watched carefully the title fight between Alexandre Pantoja and Joshua Van at UFC 331. The Brazilian believes Pantoja could have come out on top had he used his grappling instead of striking with the Burmese.

Figueiredo also reiterated his desire to move down and challenge Van for the flyweight title while guaranteeing he has no problems making that weight.

Deiveson Figueiredo Thinks Alexandre Pantoja Should Grapple

Pantoja and Van delivered a grueling war inside the Octagon. Pantoja aggressively chased the Burmese around the cage and engaged in several striking exchanges with Van, while the champion displayed impressive boxing skills throughout the fight. In the end, Van came out with a unanimous decision victory and the bout was awarded a Fight of the Night bonus.

However, Figueiredo is not sure Pantoja used the best strategy in the fight. According to the former champion, Pantoja should have avoided striking with Van and relied more on his grappling. Instead, he believes Pantoja got caught up in his emotions and chose to trade strikes with Van.

"Absolutely, it was surprising," Figueiredo told Ag Fight. "I expected Pantoja to use more of a grappling game, but, as always, Pantoja wants to fight. He got caught up in his emotions and went into a striking battle with a guy who is good at striking, a technical guy who moves well and lands his shots well. So Pantoja definitely needed to use more grappling against him. I'm sure Pantoja would have submitted him."

Deiveson Figueiredo Confident He Can Make Flyweight

Figueiredo is also confident that he could beat Van himself. The Brazilian spoke once again about the possibility of moving back to flyweight for a matchup against the Burmese and made it clear he has no issues making 125 pounds again.

"We need to make this fight (against Joshua Van) happen," Figueiredo said. "I'm wide open to whatever the UFC wants. Just send me the contract and I'll go there and take my belt from him. [...] Absolutely (I can still make 125 pounds). I make 125 (pounds) easily. I left 125 because I was tired of making weight. But now I'm working with the best nutritionist in Brazil. In my last fight at 125, when I lost to Brandon Moreno, I lost because of a mistake I made. But I made 125 without suffering."

Before thinking about challenging Van for the flyweight title, Figueiredo must get past Talbott first. The Brazilian is expected to face the American at UFC 332 on Saturday in Salt Lake City.