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Deiveson Figueiredo will go down as one of the most important fighters of 2020. Not only did the knockout artist capture the Flyweight title and retain the strap twice, but “Daico” and his electric style of fighting helped secure the division’s future by headlining the final two pay-per-views (PPV) of the year.
Given his spectacular year, Figueiredo hopes that UFC will begin to pay him more, including PPV points when applicable. Historically, that’s a fairly common benefit for champions, but it’s one Figueiredo has yet to experience.
“I gave my all, I love fighting in the UFC,” Figueiredo told MMAFighting. “I went in the octagon to break myself into pieces and give them the fight of the night because that’s what fans want to see, fighters that don’t slow down, that go in for a bloody game. I’m that type of fighter, you know, so I want the UFC to look at me with different eyes, that they give me pay-per-view [points].
“It’s missing some pay-per-view in my purse. If they already add it to this [UFC 256] fight, that would be great, brother, but I would like to start making pay-per-view [money] for my next ones. I deserve this. I love working for the UFC and I want to be more valued, you know?”
In addition, Figueiredo is hoping to chase more high-profile fights after the likely rematch with Brandon Moreno. He’s called for super fights in the past, but this time, Figueiredo is proposing a new “BMF” title aimed at the smaller divisions, targeting former double champ Henry Cejudo.
“[I want] a superfight for the ‘BMF’ belt,” said Figueiredo. “If the UFC wants this, I’m in. It would be another great fight to add to my game.
“They could do a belt between the 125 and 135 divisions, set up a weight and see who’s the baddest motherfucker in the lightweights,” Figueiredo said. “I want to fight Cejudo, man. He talks a lot, he’s always talking about everyone, so I want to stop this guy. I want to shut his mouth.”
While UFC implementing another BMF title seems rather unlikely, an eventual bout with Cejudo seems rather possible if UFC and “Triple C” can come together at the negotiating table.
Insomnia
#WeirdAndWild
Leave all the of 2020 behind! #HappyNewYear2021 let’s make 2021 our year #CyborgNation ??
Deixe todo o de 2020 para trás! #FelizAnoNovo, vamos fazer de 2021 o nosso ano #CyborgNation ?? pic.twitter.com/3MP8A69Dp9
— @CrisCyborg.Com (@criscyborg) January 1, 2021
Is this kid ready for Khabib’s bear next?
Accidental head butts account for a majority of gym cuts in my experience … but head gear is the worst.
Matt Serra and Brian Ortega suffer difficult starts to their 2021 for similar yet different reasons!
Justin Gaethje and now Charles Oliveira have avoided the infamous collage.
Slips, rips, and KO clips
Anthony Hernandez is set to battle with jiu-jitsu master Rodolfo Vieira in just about two weeks at UFC Fight Island 7 (full card HERE!)
It only took Anthony Hernandez 51 seconds to knock Trey Williams out cold in his Pro debut at WFC 11 (2014) PRO DEBUT #UFCFightIsland7 pic.twitter.com/WUfdRzX66O
— LORD HONKY HUMUNGUS (@Mr_Honky) December 31, 2020
It’s risky to go for the dump finish to a single leg against an opponent clearly looking for the neck.
Tomo Maesawa retires as champion pic.twitter.com/TEHnAkSMtt
— MEGATON (Kai Asakura szn) (@BasedDongeezus) January 1, 2021
Keep an eye out for Billy Brand, who ended his amateur career in style a couple years back:
Random Land
A different meaning to “can’t handle their alcohol!”
Midnight Music: I have yet to decide on a favorite album from 2020, and while it’s not really in the running, I’m once again digging Mac Miller’s posthumous LP Circles.
Sleep well Maniacs! More martial arts madness is always on the way.