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.”
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