On July 18th, at an event held on 'Ilha da Luta', Deiveson Figueiredo will have another chance to make history and become another Brazilian in UFC history to hold a belt. With a rematch scheduled against Joseph Benavidez, the man from Pará promises caution, but guarantees focus to become the new flyweight champion (up to 56,7kg.). In an exclusive interview with the YouTube channel do SUPER FIGHTS, Figueiredo spoke about expectations and preparation for the new challenge and plans for the future.
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Deiveson and Benavidez faced each other in February this year in a fight for the division title. On that occasion, the Brazilian scored a great knockout, but was prevented from taking the belt because he failed to make the weight cut the day before. Almost five months later, the man from Pará believes that history will repeat itself and that number one will be Brazilian.
“I'm ready for the fight and on the 18th (July) I'll make weight, knock out Benavidez and get my belt,” said the Brazilian.
Failed weight cut: what happened?
If I had reached 56,7kg. at the UFC Norfolk, Deiveson, today, would be the new lineal flyweight champion and would probably have a new opponent on the 18th. The athlete, however, understands the failure in his last commitment and explained to our team what, in fact, happened .
“I'm a guy who keeps my diet straight. The diet was done correctly in the first fight. When I arrived to hit the weight, I made a very serious mistake, on Thursday, I decided to cut off water in the morning. I always cut at 18pm, 19pm. When it was Friday, I woke up with a lot of pain in my abdomen, in the kidney region, and that kind of weakened my leg. I didn’t have the strength to get up”, explained the man from Pará.
What changes in the new weight cut?
When he exceeded the division's limit by approximately 1 kg, Figueiredo was publicly criticized by UFC president, Dana White, who did not forgive the Brazilian. In order not to make the same mistake and fall into discredit with the organization, Deiveson adopts a strategy that, according to him, will be essential to fulfilling his commitment to the balance.
“Now, I’m very focused on the diet. I want to go very light, if possible, travel from here (Brazil) with 61kg, 60kg, so that I can get there and not have to suffer to make weight. Whenever I travel from Belém (PA) for events, I leave here weighing 65kg.”, he explained.
Respect to Joseph, but focus on victory
Although the weight-cutting strategy has changed, the focus on defeating the American in an impressive way – as in the first meeting – remains the same. Even showing respect to his rival, Deiveson believes that he will have his hand raised at the end of the new dispute.
“Benavidez can expect a more aggressive and very cautious 'God of War'. We know that Benavidez is a dangerous guy, who has a volume of good strikes, but I have strategies to kill his volume of strikes and I could even end the fight with the strategy”, said the man from Pará.
Plans for the future
If he confirms himself as the real flyweight champion, Figueiredo is already outlining what could happen in his future in Ultimate. The fighter stated that he wants to remain an athlete in his current category to defend his title, but does not rule out a super fight between bantamweights (up to 61,2kg).
“I want to defend my belt at 57kg. (flies) and I also want to fight at 61kg. I'm going to ask for a fight for the top belt. If they let me go up, I'll go. (…) Mike Tyson, when he moved up in weight, he was knocked out overall at heavyweight. I'm sure it won't be any different. I'm a guy who trains a lot in boxing, Muay Thai and I've been improving my takedown defense, my wrestling, my Marajoara fighting. It's hard to put myself down. If you put it on, it won't hold me back. I'm a jiu-jitsu 'black belt'”, concluded the fighter.
On July 18, Deiveson will reach the mark of 20 appearances since turning professional in MMA. Currently, the Pará native is 32 years old, with 18 triumphs and only one setback on his record.
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