D. Figueiredo in victory for Ultimate. Photo: Reproduction/Facebook UFC
Close to competing for the vacant UFC flyweight (up to 56,7kg) title, Deiveson Figueiredo assured that the delay in arriving at ‘Ilha da Luta’, in Abu Dhabi, will not influence his weight cut. In a press conference for ‘Media Day’ for this Saturday’s event (18), held on the morning of this Thursday (16), with the participation of SUPER FIGHTS, the man from Pará spoke about his expectations for this weekend's show and reassured fans about dehydration.
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“I don’t believe the delay will be a problem. My weight is better controlled than in the last fight. I traveled from Belém (PA) just 2kg. above the limit and that will be all I need to take on Friday (17). It should be an easy weight cut. I'll start in the morning and I'll be ready when the weigh-in starts”, said the Brazilian.
Figueiredo had trouble leaving Brazil after announcing that he had contracted the coronavirus about two months ago. After the announcement, the athlete had to undergo a series of tests that proved that the athlete was immune to the disease and did not pose any risks to other athletes, the team and people involved in the show.
Now, in Abu Dhabi, the fighter remains in quarantine at the hotel and will be released for activities following the results of new tests carried out in the United Arab Emirates.
The concern regarding the Brazilian's weight cut is due to the episode that occurred in February this year, when the man from Pará faced Joseph Benavidez, defeated the North American, but was unable to take the belt because he had exceeded the division limit. Almost five months after the first meeting, Deiveson admitted the mistake of the past and guaranteed that the situation will not happen again.
“I feel like the champion. Unfortunately, I didn't make weight and I don't have the belt. But now I'm ready to take it. I came to get it this time and I came to make weight”, he said.
The Brazilian also spoke about the fact that he was affected by COVID-19 and how the illness influenced his preparation for the rematch against Joseph.
“When I had COVID, two months ago, my fight wasn't scheduled yet and, when they scheduled the fight, at first, I had a little difficulty, because I was coming out of COVID, but soon I was able to do a very intense training. My doctor was always with me, taking care of me and I soon performed well,” she explained.
Finally, Figueiredo once again made a prediction for the clash against Benavidez. Confident, the Brazilian hopes to end the fight before the judges make a decision.
“Benavidez is a guy who has a lot of flaws. He doesn’t know how to attack by moving backwards, so I’m going to put a lot of pressure on him, targeting his flaws and I’m going to knock him out with a counterattack”, he concluded.
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