Deiveson
Figueiredo
soon embarks on the latest leg of his
Ultimate Fighting Championship journey.
A two-time titleholder at 125 pounds, the 35-year-old Brazilian
will move to the bantamweight division when he faces
Rob Font in a
featured
UFC on ESPN 52 attraction this Saturday at the Moody Center in
Austin, Texas. Figueiredo has no plans to return to the weight
class he twice ruled. “I moved up to 135 pounds permanently,” he
told Sherdog.com. His first test as a bantamweight figures to be a
doozy, as Font—a perennial Top 15 contender—offers plenty of
peril.
“He’s dangerous and can’t be underestimated,” Figueiredo said.
“It’s not by accident that he’s ranked. It’s an excellent fight for
me. He’s a striker, [and] so am I. We’ll give the fans a show. It
will be a dangerous bout. He knows I was dangerous as a flyweight.
It’s going to be an enjoyable fight for everyone watching.”
It marks a new chapter in Figueiredo’s career, as he spent more
than two years on a four-fight series with archnemesis
Brandon
Moreno. They wrapped up their rivalry in January, when Moreno
forced a third-round doctor stoppage against the Brazilian at UFC
283. Figueiredo went 1-2-1 in the historic tetralogy.
“It was an experience in which both of us grew by leaps and
bounds,” he said. “It greatly contributed to our games, our
evolution. With each fight, we were compelled to get better. We
knew we’d be bringing a war inside the Octagon for our fans. It’s
part of history. I reached the point where added weight is
beneficial for me. That’s why I decided to move up and carve my
path anew in this weight class.
“Who knows? Moreno could move up one day, too, and we could clash
again,” Figueiredo added. “We have a beautiful history together. I
wish him success.”
In advance of his forthcoming battle with Font, Figueiredo shifted
his training to the United States to work with former two-division
UFC champion and onetime Olympic gold medalist
Henry
Cejudo. The transition appears to have proven beneficial.
“He’s intelligent and knows how to shut down his opponents,”
Figueiredo said. “I learned much from him in getting ready for Rob.
We found holes in Rob’s game which we can exploit, and since Rob is
strong in boxing, I’m also putting emphasis on that. I’m confident
that I’ll be successful with our strategy.”
As he approaches his 36th birthday in December, Figueiredo hopes to
make inroads as an elite bantamweight in the days, months and years
ahead. He understands the fleeting nature of his profession.
“As I get older, I want to spend more time with my family, but
before I retire, I want to give my best in this new weight class,”
Figueiredo said. “I want fans to look back one day and see all my
accomplishments inside the organization. They’re the fruit of all
the hard work I’ve put in. I want to retire in the UFC. They’ve
changed my life. Through them, I’ve been able to help out my family
and young aspiring fighters. I’d like to keep fighting for at least
three years. I love what I do.”