Figueiredo originally was scheduled to take on former bantamweight champ Cody Garbrandt in his first title defense at flyweight. But Garbrandt withdrew due to a positive COVID-19 test and complications due to the virus, and Perez stepped in to the title shot. Figueiredo won the undisputed title with a submission of four-time title-challenger Joseph Benavidez, whom he knocked out in a previous meeting for the vacant title but did not win the belt because he missed weight.
Perez, a Contender Series vet, is 6-1 in the octagon and has won his past three fights including a first-round stoppage of top contender Jussier Formiga due to leg kicks. The 28-year-old flyweight has won performance bonuses in back-to-back fights.
Check out the UFC 255 live blog below.
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