Deiveson Figueiredo’s manager says UFC granted his desire to get PPV points

Check with — and make heritage inside the octagon — and you shall obtain.

UFC flyweight champion Deiveson Figueiredo kicked off 2021 with two specific requests in mind. First, he wanted to get paid out an extra likely forward, building pounds primarily based on pay back-for every-see sales. 2nd, he identified as for a catchweight fight with Henry Cejudo for a particular “Baddest Motherfucker” belt.

A single of the two have now been granted by the advertising, Figueiredo’s longtime manager Wallid Ismail told MMA Combating.

“I don’t forget as it was now,” Ismail stated. “I explained to [UFC matchmaker] Mick Maynard, ‘This dude will carry again the electricity to the flyweight division. He fights to destroy his opponents, not to score details.’ And he trustworthy us and retained the division. Deiveson began to put on a present, and this final combat was his coronation.

“The man was ill and nonetheless fought so the shell out-for each-see would not drop its main event. It was a attract, but saw it as a win for us, and now they explained he deserves the spend-for each-perspective [points]. The UFC genuinely values a finish athlete, just one that sells. You just can’t be excellent but not promote. That is why selling matters so a great deal. That is what I constantly notify my athletes.”

Figueiredo went 3–1 this past year with a trio of finishes in excess of Joseph Benavidez (two times) and Alex Perez, turning close to and re-getting into the cage a few months later to shut the calendar year with an epic “Fight of the Year”-prospect clash with Brandon Moreno, dominated a the greater part draw by cageside judges.

“Deus da Guerra” headlined playing cards in all 4 appearances in 2020, the final two getting in pay back-for each-view reveals. For Ismail, Figueiredo has anything the UFC was searching for in a 125-pound winner.

“People have to realize that MMA is a small business,” Ismail mentioned. “I have a excellent romantic relationship with the UFC for the reason that I understand their facet. If an athlete doesn’t sell…They didn’t have lighter fighters headlining pay back-per-sights right before, they would go to Struggle Nights for the reason that they didn’t promote. But when Deiveson started placing on a display and truly exhibiting that flyweights have energy, that he has charisma…

“His existence tale is the best. His life story reveals that it does not issue where you’re from, from Africa or in the middle of the Amazon rainforest — which is his case — or Western Europe, you can become UFC champion if you educate challenging and is centered. Deiveson proved it. The way he functions, his charisma, his authenticity — and knocking people today out, which is the most important of all. He goes there and puts on a demonstrate.”

Figueiredo would like to get in the octagon with Moreno once again subsequent and go away “no doubt,” but 1st the two fighters nonetheless need to recuperate from the accidents sustained in the 25-moment war. According to Ismail, Figueiredo is currently targeting May for his third title protection.

The UFC flyweight king will fly to Abu Dhabi to accompany his brother Francisco Figueiredo, who makes his UFC debut on Jan. 20 against Jerome Rivera, and plans on touring to Thailand to get the job done on his striking skills.