Ultimate Fighting Championship (UFC) Bantamweight standouts Deiveson Figueiredo vs. Montel Jackson will go to war this weekend (Sat., Oct. 11, 2025) inside Farmasi Arena in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil.
Figueiredo
is in a rough spot at UFC Rio. The former Flyweight kingpin began his Bantamweight run with an excellent three-fight win streak, asserting himself into the Top 10. Unfortunately, the Top 5 of his new class has proven a step too far, as Petr Yan and Cory Sandhagen proved a hard ceiling for the 37-year-old finisher. Meanwhile, Jackson has slowly been working his way up the 135-pound ranks. Inactivity has been an issue for Jackson, but can anyone really argue with a six-fight win streak and nine victories in his last 10 appearances? “Quik” has earned a Top 10 shot, though he’ll have to travel to enemy territory to take advantage.
Let’s take a closer look at the betting odds and strategic keys for each athlete:
Figueiredo vs. Jackson Betting Odds
- Deiveson Figueiredo victory: +235
- Deiveson Figueiredo via TKO/KO/DQ: +950
- Deiveson Figueiredo via submission: +1000
- Deiveson Figueiredo via decision: +500
- Montel Jackson victory: -290
- Montel Jackson via TKO/KO/DQ: +285
- Montel Jackson via submission: +900
- Montel Jackson via decision: +100
- Odds via DraftKings Sportsbook
How Figueiredo Wins
Figueiredo is both a powerhouse and smooth customer. The Brazilian stands with a wide base and explodes into his counters and combinations alike, launching missiles around the guard and into the liver. He can blast hard kicks, is slick on the canvas, and has really improved his technical wrestling in the last few years. Even up a weight class and in the latter stages of his career, he’s a serious threat in all areas.
Range is the exceedingly obvious problem for “Figgy” here, as Jackson is five inches taller with seven more inches of reach. It almost feels like a cruel joke from UFC matchmakers to book Figueiredo opposite one of the largest men at 135 pounds.
And given their history, I wouldn’t doubt it’s exactly that.
At any rate, Figueiredo has to put Jackson on the back foot. Lately, Figueiredo has done more distance striking and reactive takedowns rather than pressure fighting, but that’s not likely to work against a much larger opponent. Instead, Figueiredo has to be blasting long kicks to make connection with his target then advancing behind multiple punches.
Hitting the body sure be one of Figueiredo’s top objectives here, as body shots will slow Jackson’s feet and help keep him standing in front of Figueiredo for longer. In addition, body work should help set up Figueiredo’s takedowns. Both of Jackson’s UFC losses were the result of being out-wrestled, and “Daico” is a nasty top player. If he’s able to press, work body-head combinations, and set up the shot, there is a clear avenue for the underdog here.
How Jackson Wins
Jackson has many of the traits one looks for in a future top contender. Not only is he large and powerful for the division, but Jackson actually has a strong wrestling background that has served him well in the cage. Better yet, Jackson has a piston of a left hand, and he actually sets it up well with Southpaw fundamentals and good distancing.
Unlike many knockout artists, Jackson doesn’t smother himself trying to find the chin. He unloads long, snappy punches that shut off the lights.
Given the odds and the size difference, this should be a coming out party for Jackson (even if the crowd will boo him). He should be able to bully Figueiredo, put him on the back foot immediately. His long left hand is going to be hitting from so far beyond Figueiredo’s rematch that it should really be a nightmare for the former champion, but that doesn’t mean he can be sloppy. Even up at Bantamweight, nobody seems to enjoy getting cracked by Deiveson Figueiredo.
Jackson doesn’t have to take crazy risks here though. He can advance steadily behind a booming left kick and hard straight punches, and he should really ruin Figueiredo’s evening.
Figueiredo vs. Jackson Prediction
If it wasn’t obvious yet, this feels like a nightmare match up for “Daico.” He’s a fighter who has always enjoyed a physicality advantage on his opponents, but those tables are turned here. Figueiredo is facing massive disadvantages here, and he’s also no longer at the peak of his own ability. His hope here is that Jackson shows up flat — we’ve seen him underwhelm before — and he can take advantage of his grappling edge, but that’s quite literally going to be a tall task.
The odds of “Figgy” getting stuck on the end of Jackson’s long punches feels more higher.
Prediction: Jackson via decision
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