D. Figueiredo has a fight scheduled for October. Photo: Reproduction/Instagram @daico_deusdaguerra
The double belt and current injury Henry Cejudo can cause a real 'traffic jam' in the flyweight division (up to 56,7kg.). With many fighters capable of fighting for the belt and the champion unable to defend himself, the Brazilian Deiveson Figueiredo (3rd in the category ranking) suggested the creation of an interim title against Joseph Benavidez (1st) until 'Triple C' returns to active duty. The request was made in an interview published by 'Combate'. Paraense faces Tim Elliot in the UFC Tampa, this Saturday (12).
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“You have to move the division. What (Henry) Cejudo is doing is delaying the lives of others a little. Both mine and Benavidez. If you're going to defend your belt, defend it now. Don’t delay and, if you’re going to delay, let the interim belt come”, declared the Brazilian.
The discomfort is such that Deiveson did not ask for exclusivity with regards to a title fight. For the man from Pará, both he and Elliot can face Joseph, who has already guaranteed himself as a challenger by beating the Brazilian Jussier formiga.
“Put (Joseph) Benavidez against the winner of this fight on Saturday. I think this is what has to happen”, asked Figueiredo.
Deiveson is considered one of the most dangerous athletes in the category dominated by Cejudo. The 31-year-old athlete remained undefeated in his career until his clash against compatriot Formiga, which took place in March this year. After the confrontation, the man from Pará managed to recover and won a convincing victory over another Brazilian: Alexandre pantoja, in July.
Instead of waiting for a chance at the title, as the athlete reached third place in the category, Deiveson accepted the challenge of acting in the UFC Tampa and face number six, Tim Elliot, who is coming off a victory, but returns to MMA after almost two years away. Against the North American, the athlete ensured the aggressiveness that made him known in the division and is focused on victory.
“(Elliot) is a guy who, in the first round, really comes for striking. But against me, I don't think he will do that, because he knows he will be in great danger by exchanging with me. He'll want to make a boring fight, trying to tie me to the ground, but that won't happen. Today I feel like a more experienced guy in the UFC. I know he's a very experienced guy, but I'm prepared for him, and I'm prepared to make my game prevail. If he tries to exchange with me, I'll knock him out, if he tries to put me down I have traps that could end the fight”, concluded the Brazilian.
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