UFC Macau Predictions: Yan vs Figueiredo Best Bets 11/23

Before we even have the opportunity to soak in the festivities of Jon Jones’s domineering win over Stipe Miocic at UFC 309 this past weekend, the Ultimate Fighting Championship is right back to it with UFC Macau. However, US fans will want to set their alarm clocks because of the Asian time difference, and this event’s main card will begin at 3:00 a.m. ET!

That’s right; my dear American friends will get to feel what it’s like to be British every damn weekend with an AM start time! And don’t think you can skip this Fight Night because former bantamweight champ Petr Yan faces the former flyweight titleholder Deiveson Figueiredo, and that’s an absolute banger you simply can’t miss!

As always, I’m back with a comprehensive breakdown of this weekend’s UFC main event. The Yan vs. Figueiredo UFC betting lines are live; my analysis is complete, so let’s waste no time and get straight into it!

This main event will be a treat 🤩 #UFCMacau pic.twitter.com/xudZKu0wBb

— UFC (@ufc) November 19, 2024

UFC Macau Event Information

• Date & Time: Saturday, November. 23, 2024 – 03:00 a.m. ET
• Location: Galaxy Arena, Macau
• Yan vs Figueiredo Live Stream: UFC Fight Pass & ESPN+
• Main Event Bout: Petr Yan vs. Deiveson Figueiredo
• Co-Main Event Bout: Xiaonan Yan vs. Tabatha Ricci
• Moneyline Probability: Yan – 75.6% (-310) Figueiredo – 29.9% (+235)

Remember to check the latest UFC news before placing your bets.

Deiveson Figueiredo vs Petr Yan Betting Preview

Petr Yan: Showing ‘No Mercy’

Rewind the clock to July 2020, and Petr “No Mercy” Yan versus Deiveson Figueiredo would’ve been one of the biggest super fights the UFC could’ve put together.

At the time, Yan held the 135-lb championship and an undefeated record, and the ‘No Mercy’ moniker was the perfect fit because nobody had even come close to defeating him. Similarly, Figgy sat atop the flyweight division, wrecking everyone in his path.

Unfortunately, a lot has changed in four years, and neither man has held championship gold. This, however, doesn’t affect the magnitude of this contest. Yan, in particular, has suffered an ugly streak of three losses in his last five appearances since 2021. Still, two contests with Aljamain Sterling and Sean O’Malley could’ve easily gone the other way, with those split decision results still being favored for Yan by some critics to this day.

With the signing of a brand new five-fight contract, the good news isn’t going anywhere. UFC betting fans saw him return to the win column earlier this year by overcoming a bright young prospect in Yadong Song, and success in China this Saturday would unquestionably propel him back into the title picture.

The last time Petr Yan fought a Brazilian #UFCMacau pic.twitter.com/5RqJ3wy7zp

— AWURED0 (@AOUREDOO) November 18, 2024

Deiveson Figueiredo: Is Bantamweight Home?

All I can say is: Thank God the Brandon Moreno beef is over. It felt like Figueiredo’s only opponent until he retired was going to be the Mexican flyweight standout. Despite the trilogy battle for 125lb gold between those two being entertaining, watching Figgy compete against fresh blood up a division has been a breath of fresh air thus far.

Now, is bantamweight the true home for Figueiredo? He does give up a lot of size in height, but we know the 125-cut was never easy. If we’re basing his 135lbs ceiling on results so far, defeating Rob Font, Cody Garbrandt, and Marlon Vera dominantly would suggest the bantamweight division has a new contender.

Will we see the return of grave digger Figgy at #UFCMacau 🪦👀 pic.twitter.com/MF2JjLN3vi

— Liam Picks Fights (@LiamPicksFights) November 19, 2024

Figueiredo vs Yan: The Tale of The Tape

Figueiredo vs Yan Inside the Octagon: Skillset Breakdown

Yan: The five-round warrior!

Finally, Petr Yan is going to receive a height advantage. Why is this crucial? Because he owns some of the smoothest boxing skills at 135 pounds and with a style that sees him progress from round to round, it’s unlikely that he’ll get out-muscled and that cardio will still be chugging along should we reach the latter rounds.

Yan’s ability to string boxing combinations together, paired with a height advantage, might gift him an easy night during striking exchanges. Of course, he must be weary of Figgy’s power and grappling prowess, but he’s Russian, and when it comes to takedown defense, he isn’t going to let anyone keep him in grounded situations for long, if at all!

Won the title at flyweight with a dominant performance 😮‍💨@Daico_Deiveson continues his chase for a bantamweight title shot at #UFCMacau!

[ Live on @ESPNPlus | SATURDAY | 6amET/3amPT ] pic.twitter.com/Zzw9JYcb6I

— UFC (@ufc) November 19, 2024

How good is Figueiredo?

How far can Figueiredo go in the bantamweight division? That’s a question we’re still pondering. However, we do know what ushered him into championship status as a flyweight: raw power, elite grappling, and commendable durability. When you look for holes in the game of Figgy, it isn’t easy to pinpoint one factor, but aged 37, it’s also challenging to put complete faith in his skillset conquering the division’s top-five-ranked.

Blistering power in his hands could keep Yan cautious, and he can also mix up the leg kicks to make it interesting. That said, letting loose with some of the elite grappling might be his best path to victory, but even then, does he have the cardio to do it for five rounds? Yan has never been finished inside the distance, and we shouldn’t expect such a scenario come Saturday.

He is a PROBLEM 🤷‍♂️

The former champ @PetrYanUFC looks to put on a show at #UFCMacau! pic.twitter.com/J52Qb0CV29

— UFC (@ufc) November 18, 2024

Figueiredo vs Yan Betting Trends

• Yan has won 56% of his UFC bouts by decision
• Yan has never been stopped by KO/TKO or submission
• Figueiredo has gone the distance in 3 of his previous 5 bouts
• Figueiredo has lost by KO/TKO or submission in just 2 of his 28 pro-MMA bouts

Figueiredo vs Yan: My UFC Betting Prediction

Yan versus Figueiredo is one for the fans. For moneyline bettors? Not so much! Why do I say this? Well, it’s simple: we have two championship-caliber fighters going toe-to-toe, and both have equally strong paths to victory. Putting two incredibly well-rounded fighters against one another doesn’t make for easy pickings, no matter what the current UFC odds might suggest.

One aspect you can always bank on regarding Petr Yan’s fights is durability. He’s got an iron chin and is skilled enough on the ground that he’s never been knocked out or submitted during his professional career. Considering the elite opponents he’s faced, it’s an incredible achievement, and Figgy is also a tough SOB. Outside of a doctor’s stoppage, Figueiredo has never lost by knockout. Moreno did manage to catch him with a rear-naked choke, but we know that isn’t Yan’s style.

I’m expecting a close-fought battle, predominantly on the feet, in which neither man can truly take a clear lead in offense; therefore, backing this fight to hit the over 4 ½ rounds mark feels like the safest yet valuable UFC betting pick. It might get scrappy in moments, but the footwork and fight IQ of these two former champions aren’t going to allow for a stoppage, as the judges will need to intervene and declare the victory.

Bet on Figueiredo vs Yan Over 4 ½ Rounds (-170)

Odds and information are accurate at the time of writing. Please check with official sources for the latest updates before placing any bets.

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