Figueroa currently holds the WBA featherweight title, and one of the available fights in his division involves Rafael Espinoza, the WBO champion at 126 pounds. That fight has been discussed, but it is not being treated as the leading option at this stage.
Rodriguez said that while a fight with Espinoza, known as “Divino,” remains on the table, it is not a priority for Figueroa’s team. The indication is that attention is shifting elsewhere, depending on how events play out in Japan this weekend.
The Inoue vs. Nakatani fight has implications across multiple weight classes, especially if either fighter wants to move up or reposition after the result. Figueroa’s interest suggests he could weigh in on a future opponent tied to that outcome rather than finalize a featherweight unification.
As a result, Espinoza may have to explore alternative opponents for his next title defense if Figueroa moves in a different direction.
While Rafael Espinoza is the natural unification target at 126, Brandon Figueroa’s team is clearly fishing for a bigger matchup. The focus on Saturday’s Naoya Inoue vs. Junto Nakatani superfight at the Tokyo Dome suggests that Figueroa is positioning himself as the welcome wagon for Inoue’s eventual jump to featherweight.
Inoue cleaned up the 122-pound division (most recently beat Alan Picasso in Saudi Arabia). If he beats Nakatani, the move to 126 is the only logical progression. Figueroa, with his relentless bulk and WBA belt, is probably the most fan-friendly style for Inoue’s featherweight debut.
No official announcement has been made about Figueroa’s next fight, and no timeline has been confirmed. The immediate focus remains on Saturday’s result in Japan and how it could reshape the options at 126 pounds.
