Susumu Nagao-USA TODAY Sports
Ultimate Fighting Championship (UFC) was supposed to crown a flyweight champion last weekend at UFC Norfolk, but then Deiveson Figueiredo “fucked up” by missing weight, ruling him ineligible to capture the crown, despite a technical knockout win over top contender, Joseph Benavidez.
That’s according to former opponent, Jussier Formiga.
“All fighters can’t pay for one fighter’s mistake,” the Brazilian told MMA Fighting. “Deiveson was the one that fucked up. Okay, he went there and won, but the whole division can’t pay for his fuckup, right? We have a lot of wood to burn and things to show. We have a top 15 that is full of tough athletes. The top 5 has three Brazilians, Deiveson, (Alexandre) Pantoja and I, and we have great chances of winning this belt for Brazil.”
Formiga (23-6) beat Figueiredo at UFC Nashville roughly one year back.
His next assignment comes against the No. 5-ranked Brandon Moreno. It’s not unreasonable to think a victory over “The Assassin Baby” at UFC Brasilia will put him in prime position to challenge for the 125-pound strap, though Formiga, ranked No. 2, may have to wait until the end of the year.
Especially if this scenario comes to pass.