This is the end of the partnership between Deiveson Figueiredo and Wallid Ismail. After years of being managed by the businessman, the Brazilian announced, in an exclusive interview with the channel SUPER FIGHTS, the break in the success story with the agent whose highlight was winning the flyweight belt (up to 56,7kg.) in the UFC. He also reveals gratitude to the agent and compares the relationship to a marriage.
“I spoke and, at the same time, I remained silent so as not to take it forward. Wallid (Ismail) is a guy who was by my side from the beginning, he fought for me to fight for the belt. But there comes a time when it's like marriage: when we realize it's not going to work anymore, we move house and everyone goes their own way. They are cycles. What was supposed to happen to Wallid and me has already happened”, says Deiveson.
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During the period he was with Wallid, Deiveson built a trajectory of important achievements and, today, he is the UFC flyweight champion (up to 56,7kg). Despite the breakup, Figueiredo recognizes Ismail's importance for his career, but reveals his search for bigger 'scholarships' in the organization.
"My brother (Francisco Figueredo), (Priscila) Pedrita and (Willian) Colorado work with him. I don't want to leave this job, thanks. He's a guy who did a lot for me, just like I did for him. It was an exchange of jobs. I gave him a lot of money, as he made me earn a lot of money. But now I'm aiming for a 'stop' up there. It has already come to an end. I want bigger purses and he was unable to increase that amount during five years in the UFC”, highlighted the Brazilian.
Wore out…
Figueiredo also 'expands his horizons' to the business side and had major conflicts of ideas with Wallid, which made the relationship deteriorate over time. He recalls fights behind the scenes, but highlights talk of an amicable breakup.
“The big reason for all this was the fights. We always stay together there for two weeks and discuss business a lot. And one of the fights I said: 'Wow, man. We are fighting a lot and we don't understand each other. It's very complicated and I prefer that you follow your path and I follow mine so that we can't get into a bad fight. Let's go out as brothers'. But now he follows other paths and I follow mine. (…) He sent a message to me wanting to understand why I was saying this publicly. And I said I would talk to him when the time was right. I want to resolve everything with a cool head, without exaggerating my words and fighting with him. He works with guys who train with me and there are a lot of kids who dream of getting to where I am or even going further. Wallig has the 'Jungle Fight', which is the best in Latin America, and I want these kids fighting in his event. I don’t want to get out of this relationship in a fight”, explained the champion.
Next entrepreneur and search for recognition
UFC Champion, Deiveson Figueiredo admits to being frustrated with the lack of recognition in the company. Without mentioning names, the Brazilian wants an agent who has a good relationship with president Dana White so that he can increase his pay during fights.
“I can't reveal it yet. I'm making decisions about who I'm going to work with. But what I want is to be valued within the organization. And I need someone who can do that, has a relationship with Dana (White, UFC president) and who can put my purse above 700 thousand or 1 million. I'm a guy who enters the Octagon to put on a show. Fighting for 100 thousand or 200 thousand is no longer enough”, he concluded.
Deiveson is currently recovering from injuries to both hands and does not yet have a scheduled date to defend the flyweight belt (up to 56,7kg). As a result, Ultimate chose not to wait and scheduled a confrontation between Brandon Moreno e Kai Kara France for the interim title, which takes place in UFC 277 on July 30th.
