Photo by Josh Hedges/Zuffa LLC/Zuffa LLC
Flyweight title challenger Deiveson Figueiredo believes he will take Joseph Benavidez by surprise at UFC Norfolk.
Joseph Benavidez better be prepared for UFC Norfolk’s main event, because his opponent might have a trick or two up his sleeve.
In an interview with Portal do Vale Tudo, flyweight title challenger Deiveson Figueiredo revealed he will have some traps laid out for when Benavidez tries to use his wrestling to take or hold him down in the Octagon.
Although the Brazilian did not reveal too much of his gameplan, he did point out that put a lot work into take down defense and explosiveness, which make it difficult for Benavidez to get the best of him in a grappling battle.
“I hope he tries to take me down,” Figueiredo said. “I have lots of traps for him. I will surprise him. He will have no opportunities to take me down. If he tries, he will be in trouble. I have so many weapons, I increased my speed, my legs are very strong now, I’m very explosive. Even if he takes me down, he won’t be able to hold me down, because I will get up. I hope his cardio is good, because I’ll make him work the whole round.”
Not a stranger to Team Alpha Male, a gym Benavidez himself called home for the most part of his career, Figueiredo decided to return to his home town of Belem, Brazil, for the biggest fight of his life. His logic being that he does not want anybody at Team Alpha Male to leak secret information to his opponent behind his back.
“I didn’t make my camp there because he is full of friends over there,” Figueiredo said. “As much as Urijah Faber likes me, there’s always one of Benavidez’s friends who might record me with their phone and send that right over to him. I though about this carefully and decided to have my camp at my own gym. I do love that gym, though (Team Alpha Male), and I’ll come back the first chance I get.”
On a two-fight winning streak, Deiveson Figueiredo (17-1) comes into the title fight with a unanimous decision win against Alexandre Pantoja and a submission one over Tim Elliott in his last outing, in October 2019. The 32-year-old’s sole loss happened in March of the same year, when Jussier Formiga bested him via unanimous decision.
Now, Deiveson Figueiredo is expected to meet Joseph Benavidez for the vacant flyweight title at UFC Fight Night 169’s main event, in Norfolk, Virginia, on February 29.