Jussier Formiga was back in action at UFC 229, picking up a unanimous decision win over Sergio Pettis in the featured preliminary card bout.
However, a bigger opportunity almost came Formiga’s way because the Brazilian claims he was the unofficial backup for the UFC Flyweight Title bout at UFC 227.
”It wasn’t exactly official, but my coach offered me and the UFC accepted it,” Formiga told MMA Fighting. “We couldn’t tell the media, but we were on stand-by in case someone fell through and I would step in, but the fight ended up happening. They offered me Pettis right after and I obviously took it because I’m an employee and I have to fight.”
It should be noted that neither the UFC or the UFC Flyweight Title bout competitors mentioned Formiga in any capacity as a backup for that particular encounter.
Demetrious Johnson defended the flyweight title in a rematch against Henry Cejudo in the co-main event of UFC 227, with Cejudo picking up a razor thin decision win to unseat Johnson.
While Formiga was the unofficial backup at the event, an aforementioned win over Pettis can now change Formiga’s status from championship fight backup fighter to UFC Flyweight Title challenger. Formiga has fought Cejudo once before, suffering a split decision loss to him at UFC Fight Night 78.
