MMA's New M-1 Challenge Lightweight Champion: Jose Figueroa

The world of MMA has a relatively unknown new champion in its midst, but that’s about to change.

Jose Figueroa, of Orlando, FL, yet another product of the highly-acclaimed American Top Team camp, secured his place as lightweight champion amongst one of the four main fight promotions after a two-round dismantlement of his Russian opponent and former M-1 Challenge Lightwieght Champion, Artiom Damkovsky at M-1 Challenge: Figueroa vs. Damkovsky in Norfolk, VA on March 25, 2011.

In his second M-1 Global bout and fourth title fight, the up-and-coming Figueroa overwhelmed the Russian Muay Thai specialist with the typically unstoppable ATT takedowns and vicious ground-n-pound for a TKO victory.

Standing 6'3", Figueroa is an exceptionally tall fighter for any lightweight division. This height advantage undoubtedly played a significant role in his victory over the former champ, but that’s not to say this was the only advantage Figueroa had going for him.

Sporting a professional record of 10-4-0, Figueroa has fought for Bellator, M-1 Global and a host of lesser known promotions during his five year professional career. With four TKOs, five submissions and one decision under his belt, Figueroa has as much of a chance of submitting his opponent as he does knocking them out.

Coming off of a year layoff due to injuries, Figueroa was glad to be back in action and it showed. According to Figueroa, his main concern going into the title fight was the dreaded ring rust but, you never would have known it by watching him claim the title.

According to an interview by MMAWeekly.com author, Mick Hammond, leading up to the bout, Figueroa made his intentions clear: “To go out there and be a true mixed martial artist in this fight; that’s what I feel can bring me victory. To have the technique and proper mental game to go out there and stand with him, but also use my BJJ to my advantage on the ground.”

With much the same philosophy as UFC welterweight champion Georges St-Pierre, Figueroa, in true mixed martial artist fashion, kept Damkovsky constantly guessing at what his next move might be.

Anyone who watched the fight saw Figueroa’s game plan executed exactly as promised. He was calm, cool and collected as he punished Damkovsky with lethal and well-timed kicks and punches to the head and body of his opponent, before securing his takedowns with relative ease and dishing out a GnP battering from Damkovsky’s guard position.

The big question now is, was Figueroa’s victory and his new champion status enough to catch the eye of Dana White and the Zuffa LLC crew? For now there has been no word from White or anyone else at Zuffa LLC regarding the possible signing of Figueroa to either Strikeforce or the UFC.

White has recently stated that the UFC is looking for new fighters; they may just want to consider taking on the newly crowned lightweight champ, depending on Figueroa’s current contract obligations.

After Figueroa’s awesome performance, I would definitely encourage the Zuffa LLC crew to take notice of this young fighter’s talent as he has earned the right to face top level opponents. I feel he would be a great addition to the UFC or more likely, Strikeforce as the recent WEC/UFC merger now has quite a stacked lightweight division.

Congratulations to Jose Figueroa, the new M-1 Global lightweight champion of the world! I, for one, am looking forward to seeing the champ defend his title and hopefully, someday make his way to the big stage.