What Does Deiveson Figueiredo Think About Fighting Cody Garbrandt?
UFC Flyweight Champion Deiveson Figueiredo is weighing in on his fall clash with Cody Garbrandt.
Figueiredo vs. Garbrandt is set to take place on November 21. The title fight is expected to headline UFC 255. Also featured on that card will be a UFC Women’s Flyweight Championship scrap between titleholder Valentina Shevchenko and Jennifer Maia.
Ag Fight got a hold of Figueiredo and the 125-pound kingpin said he doesn’t feel “No Love” deserved a title fight at flyweight (via MMAMania.com).
“I didn’t think it was right for [Garbrandt] to cut the line, but the UFC calls the shots. We work for them and we have to accept whoever they want us to fight so we can put on a show for the fans. There was a negotiation between them and my manager, Wallid Ismail. He talked to the UFC so I could have a bigger purse against Garbrandt. We got a proper figure. Now I’m training hard to show you should not cut the line to get to the belt at flyweight.”
Figueiredo captured the UFC Flyweight Championship back on July 19. He choked out Joseph Benavidez in the first round. This was a rematch from their February 29 showdown where Figueiredo scored a TKO win over Benavidez.
Garbrandt has never competed at 125 pounds in MMA. He’s fresh off a one-punch knockout victory over Raphael Assuncao. “No Love” has gone 1-3 in his last four outings. His victory over Assuncao snapped a three-fight skid. Many believe Garbrandt is getting a flyweight title shot due to his star power.
This will be Figueiredo’s first title defense. His first outing with Benavidez was set to be for the vacant 125-pound gold. That plan blew up in smoke as Figueiredo missed weight. Now that he made good on his second chance, Figueiredo is hoping to reign for years to come.