AUSTIN, Texas – Deiveson Figueiredo has moved to a different weight class, and with that comes many things – including new matchups.
Saturday on the main card of UFC on ESPN 52, Figueiredo (21-3-1 MMA, 10-6 UFC), a former UFC flyweight champion, debuts at 135 pounds when he takes on longtime UFC fighter Rob Font (20-7 MMA, 10-3-1 UFC). Figueiredo said he is happy with his decision to move up a division, and being a powerful and respected striker, the Brazilian is excited to test his skills against the top strikers of the division.
“I came to this division to test myself and to test my striking, so that’s what I’m focused on right now,” Figueiredo told reporters at the UFC on ESPN 52 media day Wednesday in Austin, Texas. “I’m focused on the fight on Saturday, and that’s what I’m here for. Let’s see how this one goes. I’m not looking at a title shot right now, I’m looking to win against Rob Font to place myself in the rankings and see where it goes from there.
“I would love to have the opportunity to fight (Dominick Cruz and Sean O’Malley). All the respect to both of them. I would love for the UFC to give me that opportunity to have the best striker of flyweight come over here and do that – not only Sean O’Malley, but also Dominick Cruz. I would love those two fights. If the UFC could perhaps give me those opportunities, I think they would be great fights to have.”
But the new division doesn’t just come with new fights. It also comes with much less drastic weight cut, something Figueiredo said he already is feeling.
“The fact that I don’t have to worry about it and just be healthy – I’m already on weight,” Figueiredo said. “I’m feeling healthy and feeling great and already being on weight and ready to go, and just the fact that I don’t have to worry about that (is a relief). All I want to do is just have a great sparring session on Saturday, and let’s go for it.”
For more on the card, visit MMA Junkie’s event hub for UFC on ESPN 52.
