“Sean O’Malley is an excellent puncher, but I believe in my team and our strategy,” MMAnews quoted the Brazilian as saying. “I train with Henry Cejudo, one of the best in the division and a very smart guy when it comes to strategy. I do a lot of jiu-jitsu – I’m a real grappler, I just don’t really like to use it. I prefer stand-up fighting and I love to grapple. Definitely, I would have a great fight against Sean O’Malley. If I was fighting him and we ended up on the ground, I’d finish him.”
After winning in dominant fashion by unanimous decision over Rob Font, ranked eighth in the lightweight division rankings, Figueredo is ready to fight for the championship belt in his next fight.
“Since I’m a former champion, if they put me in a title fight, I’m ready for it. I was a champion in the division below, which is a collection of incredible fighters. I’ve proven that I deserve it. Rob is one of the best in the division and I wanted to test myself. If they give me a title shot, I’ll take it.”
Sean O’Malley, who took the belt from Aljamain Sterling in August, will make his first title defense on March 9 at UFC 299, and his opponent will be the division’s No. 6 Marlon Vera.