Deiveson Figueiredo pleads to UFC to not close flyweight division
Many believed the flyweight division would be no more come 2019. Well, here we are nearing the end of March and flyweight fights are still happening.
Not only are they happening, but a crucial one is happening tomorrow at UFC Nashville. Top contenders, Deiveson Figueiredo takes on Jussier Formiga which may very well determine the next title contender. With that, Figueiredo knows the UFC should not close down the division.
“Cejudo showed that we’re good fighters and that we flyweights always put on a show,” Figueiredo told MMA Junkie in his native Portuguese. “We have KO power. It was a spectacular fight. It proved to Dana White, who was thinking about letting us go, that we’re a strong and impressive weight class.
“We’ll keep it up, and my time is coming.”
Ultimately, when Deiveson Figueiredo steps into the Octagon there is only one thing on his mind. Get a finish. He knows he can bring excitement to the flyweight division and can’t wait to show that off.
“I have a singular goal when I step into the Octagon: I always look for a knockout or a submission against anyone that’s in front of me, since my goal is the belt,” Figueiredo said. “Formiga has been in the weight class for a very long time. I already had an eye on him before he joined the UFC. I don’t see a lot of great qualities in him, when matched up against me. I feel I’m more complete.
“I’ll walk in with the goal of knocking him out, taking his spot, and fighting for the belt.”
For now, the focus is on tomorrow night, but with a win, he may very well be in the title conversation. If he does indeed get a title shot, Figueiredo knows he would be a dominant champion.
“I only have one plan: to own the championship belt,” Figueiredo said. “If I can, I’d like to keep it until I retire. That’s all I think about.”
