[youtube https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=3ZsBfyTOFvY&w=560&h=315]
Sign up for ESPN+ right here, and you can then stream the UFC live on
your smart TV, computer, phone, tablet or streaming device via the
ESPN app. Two-time Ultimate Fighting Championship flyweight champ
Deiveson
Figueiredo has embraced the whirlwind since winning his belt
back less than a week ago. After four months of hard training at Fight Ready in Arizona, and
five rounds of bonus-winning action with Brandon
Moreno, Figueiredo could not rest until arriving in Brazil on
Thursday. After coming out on top at UFC
270, his team wanted nothing more than to celebrate all through
the night. Any hopes of relaxation were out the window for the
Brazilian, who found himself surprised by his teammates. Figueiredo
spoke to Sherdog after his fight, primed and ready to speak highly
of his training partners.
“The climate was so unique,” Figueiredo admitted. “My teammates
worked so hard with me for the last four months. Each one of them
owns this belt with me. With all the adrenaline and happiness of
this moment, it was almost impossible to rest.”
After leaving California, the Brazilian stopped off at Arizona
before taking his trip much further south. He was not ready for
what was in store for him when he got there.
“They had a surprise party for me,” he revealed. “But in the middle
of the party, police officers jumped on the backyard of the house.
Once it was very cold, I was leaning close to the fireplace warming
myself and didn’t see the cops entering. The people who made the
party explained to the cops they were doing it to celebrate the new
UFC champion.”
Figueiredo continued incredulously, “Initially the cops didn’t
believe [me], then they asked [me] to go there with the belt.”
Based on what he had seen in the movies, Figueiredo feared that he
might get deported should things go sideways.
“Man I was really scared, American cops are always very tough and
angry,” Figueiredo noted. “When I faced the officers, I started to
apologize, saying that I was from Brazil and I was leaving on
Wednesday. Then the guests started laughing, as well as the police
officers. Thank God everything finished well, and the cops left [a
little while later].”
Before returning to Brazil, “Deus da Guerra“ decided to get a
tattoo on his right forearm with the UFC belt. He had it marked
with two red stones, signifying his defenses against Alex Perez
and his first encounter with Moreno.
“I need to eternalize it in my body,” the champ explained, “at
least on my body. Actually, I was sure that after I lost the belt
to Moreno, UFC would give me a new one if I won the [rematch], but
they told me they will make just one replica, arguing I already
have one at home.”
Thursday arrived, and the man known as “Daico” had finally reached
his home city of Belem. Even so, he could not take a breath yet, as
the newly minted champion found a legion of fans at the airport to
welcome him back. They had thrown him a parade, and sat him in a
fire truck to drive him through the city.
“The reception was just as unforgettable as the previous ones in
[the U.S.],” celebrated Figueiredo.
Figueiredo did not need long to change his focus from former
trilogy partner Brandon
Moreno to future title defenses. The flyweight champion knows
there is a willing list of challengers waiting for him, and he is
ready to take on all comers.
“Moreno, [Kai] Kara
France, [Askar]
Askarov or [Alexandre]
Pantoja, whoever sells more will be the next one,” a mindful
Figueiredo stated. “The only thing I know for sure is that I’ll
return to Fight Ready to make my camp there.”
When he returns to Fight Ready to start training for his next
opponent, he hopes to do with a friendly face by his side. An
invitation had been extended to ex-training partner and UFC
welterweight Michel
Pereira, and Figueiredo is hopeful that Pereira joins them
soon.
“I’ve been through this trying to assemble a team and try to
train,” Figueiredo said. “That does not exist. I told him, ‘if you
are a professional you have to look for a big team, a team where
you follow orders, only then will you boost your career.’ And he
promised me that sooner or later he will join us there.”
