AUSTIN, Texas – Deiveson Figueiredo has made the move to a new weight class, which means new challenges are on the horizon.
Set to make his debut in the bantamweight division at UFC main card on ESPN 52, the former UFC flyweight champion Figueiredo (21-3-1 MMA, 10-6 UFC) is gearing up to face off against Rob Font (MMA20, 7-7) this Saturday. Figueiredo expressed his contentment with transitioning to the 135-pound division and his eagerness to test his striking abilities against top competitors in the weight class.
“I’ve moved to this division to challenge myself and gauge my striking skills, so that’s where my focus lies at the moment,” he remarked. “My main focus is on the upcoming fight on Saturday. Let’s see how it goes. I’m not targeting the title right now. My goal is to secure a victory against Rob Font and climb the rankings. I want to prove myself and see where that takes me.”
“I would love to have the opportunity to fight (Dominik Cruz and Sean O’Malley). Both are impressive fighters, and I’m grateful to the UFC for giving me the chance to face top flyweight strikers. I’m excited about the possibility of fighting not only Sean O’Malley but also Dominick Cruz. I believe those fights would be fantastic, should the UFC provide me with that opportunity.”
However, the transition to a new weight class comes with its own set of challenges. Figueiredo revealed that he is already feeling the effects of weight loss, even though it’s not a significant drop.
“I’m feeling the difference, but it’s a relief not having to worry about it and being able to focus on being healthy. I’ve already put on some weight,” Figueiredo shared. “I’m in good shape, feeling great, and ready to go. The fact that I don’t need to stress about that is reassuring to me. All I want is to have an outstanding performance on Saturday. That’s my focus, so let’s do this.”
For more details about this event, check out MMA Junkie’s UFC event hub on ESPN 52.
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