UFC Fight Night 261: Deiveson Figueiredo vs Montel Jackson Preview & Prediction
Click here for today’s sports betting tips from our expert analysts!
Figgy looks to bounce back on home soil against the division’s dark horse in the co-main event.
Deiveson Figueiredo vs Montel Jackson facts
What time are Deiveson Figueiredo and Montel Jackson expected to walk out?
Where is UFC Fight Night 261: Oliveira vs Gamrot? Farmasi Arena, Rio de Janeiro, Brazil
Where can I get tickets for UFC Fight Night 261: Oliveira vs Gamrot? Click here for the latest ticket information for UFC Fight Night 261: Oliveira vs Gamrot
What TV channel is UFC Fight Night 261: Oliveira vs Gamrot on? UK – TNT Sports / USA – ESPN+
Where can I stream UFC Fight Night 261: Oliveira vs Gamrot? UK – TNT Sports subscribers can stream the event online via the TNT Sports website and discovery+ / USA – ESPN+ & UFC Fight Pass
UFC Fight Night 261: Oliveira vs Gamrot main card
Charles Oliveira vs Mateusz Gamrot (Lightweight)
Deiveson Figueiredo vs Montel Jackson (Bantamweight)
Vicente Luque vs Joel Alvarez (Welterweight)
Jhonata Diniz vs Mario Pinto (Heavyweight)
Ricardo Ramos vs Kaan Ofli (Featherweight)
Lucas Almeida vs Michael Aswell (Featherweight)
UFC Fight Night 261: Oliveira vs Gamrot prelims
Jafel Filho vs Clayton Carpenter (Flyweight)
Vitor Petrino vs Thomas Petersen (Heavyweight)
Beatriz Mesquita vs Irina Alekseeva (Women’s Bantamweight)
Lucas Rocha vs Stewart Nicoll (Flyweight)
Julia Polastri vs Karolina Kowalkiewicz (Women’s Strawweight)
Luan Lacerda vs Saimon Oliveira (Bantamweight)
Deiveson Figueiredo: Brazilian veteran with championship pedigree
Deiveson “Deus de Guerra” Figueiredo (24-5-1) enters UFC Rio as one of Brazil’s most decorated fighters. The 37-year-old former UFC flyweight champion is currently ranked sixth at bantamweight and has carved out a career defined by power and finishing ability. Across his professional record, he holds nine wins by knockout and nine by submission, underlining his well-rounded threat.
Figueiredo owns a 13-5-1 UFC record and has fought the very best in both flyweight and bantamweight. Since moving up, he has beaten respected names such as Rob Font, Cody Garbrandt and Marlon “Chito” Vera. Recently, however, he has struggled, losing back-to-back fights to Petr Yan and Cory Sandhagen — the latter due to a knee injury in May 2025. Once renowned for explosive knockout power at flyweight, he still carries danger in his hands at bantamweight, but his elite Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu remains his sharpest weapon. With time no longer on his side, Figueiredo is fighting to prove he still belongs at the top of the division.
Montel Jackson: rising American contender looking to break through
Montel “Quik” Jackson (15-2) is enjoying the best run of his career. At 33 years old, the American sits at number fifteen in the bantamweight rankings and is riding a six-fight winning streak, unbeaten since 2021. He holds a 9-2 UFC record and has quietly built momentum in a talent-rich division.
Jackson has shown finishing ability with 53% of his career victories coming via knockout or TKO, and notably, he has never been finished in his professional career. His recent run includes a decision win over Daniel Marcos in May 2025, along with emphatic first-round knockouts of Da’Mon Blackshear and Rani Yahya. Coming from a wrestling background, Jackson has developed slick boxing that has shone in his recent performances. He may not yet have faced the same calibre of opposition as Figueiredo, but he has established himself as a dangerous, well-rounded threat who is steadily climbing towards the top ten.
Deiveson Figueiredo vs Montel Jackson prediction
This is a fascinating clash between a proven veteran with championship pedigree and a rising contender looking to make his breakthrough. Figueiredo has faced a who’s who of elite fighters at both flyweight and bantamweight, and while age and injuries may be catching up with him, his technical quality, submission skills and striking power still make him dangerous. Jackson, meanwhile, enters with momentum, youth and confidence, though he has yet to test himself consistently against opponents of Figueiredo’s calibre.
The most likely scenario is a drawn-out battle. Jackson’s durability and measured pace, combined with Figueiredo’s experience and composure, suggest that neither man will be easily finished. Jackson may look to use his wrestling and boxing to score rounds, but Figueiredo’s grappling threat and big-fight experience give him the edge in key moments. Expect a competitive, tactical fight where the margins are slim.
Prediction: Fight to go the distance
