Brandon Figueroa takes on Nick Ball in Liverpool this Saturday

Nick Ball defends his WBA featherweight title against Brandon Figueroa on February 7 at the M&S Bank Arena in Liverpool, with DAZN carrying the broadcast.

Figueroa enters at 26-2-1 with 19 knockouts, less than a year ago he suffered a loss to Stephen Fulton. That defeat did not remove his position. The WBA list kept him eligible, and Ball accepted the route in front of him.

Ball ia unbeaten at 23-0-1 with 13 knockouts and will fight at home. Liverpool crowds reward pressure fighters, and Ball’s style is built around pace, physical effort, and repetition rather than control from range. Against the version of Figueroa that struggled with Fulton’s movement, the matchup tilts toward Ball’s strengths.

Why this opponent raises questions

The issue is not Figueroa’s résumé. He is a former WBA and WBC super bantamweight titleholder who brings volume, body work, and a willingness to trade. The issue is timing. His recent form does not suggest upward momentum, only availability.

Ball’s run since the disputed draw with Rey Vargas has been steady but selective. A split decision over Ray Ford answered one question. Defenses against TJ Doheny and Ronny Rios maintained activity without forcing a jump in difficulty. His most recent win over Sam Goodman in Riyadh was scored wide, yet the exchanges were closer than the cards suggested. Goodman lacks power but found Ball repeatedly with combinations and forced more resets than expected.

That performance showed Ball’s engine still carries him through rounds, but it also showed that sustained, accurate work can disrupt his rhythm. Against opponents who combine size with movement, those moments would multiply.

What this fight actually tests

Figueroa will apply pressure, but it is a familiar kind. He works forward, commits to volume, and stays inside. He does not bring range control or consistent angles, which limits how much this fight stretches Ball technically. It asks about endurance and tolerance, not adaptability.

Structurally, this defense keeps Ball active and credible without forcing a confrontation with the hardest styles in the division. That may be a practical choice, but it leaves certain questions untouched.

February 7 will show whether Ball’s pace still overwhelms opponents who are willing to stay in front of him. It will not answer how he handles fighters who take space away from him without giving ground in return. That test remains outstanding, regardless of the result.

Date: February 7, 2026
Start time: 5 pm local; 12 pm ET; 5 pm UK
Streaming platform: DAZN
Venue: M&S Bank Arena, Liverpool, England
Fight card: Nick Ball vs Brandon Figuero