Deiveson Figueiredo‘s first flyweight title defense won’t come against Cody Garbrandt after all.
Figueiredo (19-1) will now face Alex Perez at UFC 255 on Nov. 21 after Garbrandt was forced to withdraw from the title fight because of an injury, sources told ESPN.
The news was first reported by Combate.
The fight will mark Figueiredo’s first title defense after he defeated Joseph Benavidez to win the vacant title in July. It was supposed to mark Garbrandt’s flyweight debut. It’s unclear how long he’ll be out, sources say.
Perez (24-5) has won three fights in a row and 11 of his past 12. He most recently defeated Jussier Formiga via first-round TKO in June. He has a 6-1 UFC record.
UFC 255 also will feature a women’s flyweight title fight between champion Valentina Shevchenko and Jennifer Maia.