Deiveson Figueiredo

Deiveson Alcântara Figueiredo (born December 18, 1987) is a Brazilian professional mixed martial artist. He currently competes in the Flyweight division of the Ultimate Fighting Championship (UFC), where he is the two-time and current UFC Flyweight Champion.

Background

Figueiredo was born in Soure, Pará, Brazil, a small city on the isle of Marajó where buffaloes roam freely. His father was a buffalo herder who practiced luta marajoara, a local folk wrestling style. Deiveson has a younger sister and a brother – Francisco – who also is a professional mixed martial artist signed with the UFC. He was a cowboy, working with his father at an animal farm until he was thirteen years old. Around the age of nine, he followed his father's footsteps and began wrestling. He moved to Belem to attend high school and started training in capoeira. He started training MMA after he met Iuri Marajo at the age of sixteen.

Mixed martial arts career

Early career

Figueiredo made his professional debut in February 2012 against a fellow debutante Aluisio Ferreira. He won the fight by first-round submission. In his next six fights, Figueiredo fought in the Pará and Maranhão MMA circuits, mostly against debuting fighters, with David Silva and Joel Silva being the notable exceptions.

In late 2014, Deiveson signed with Jungle Fight, and was scheduled to make his first appearance with the organization at Jungle Fight 75 against Rayner Silva. Figueiredo won the fight by a second round TKO.

He was then scheduled to fight Jefte Brilhante during Revelation FC 3, but the bout was later cancelled. He was scheduled to fight Henrique Souza during Revelation FC 4, but the fight was likewise later cancelled.

Figueiredo was scheduled to fight Antônio de Miranda during Jungle Fight 87, following a seventeen-month break from the sport. He defeated de Miranda by submission mid-way through the first round. He fought again four months later, during Jungle Fight 90, against the undefeated Denis Oliveira. He defeated Oliveira by a first-round knockout.

Ultimate Fighting Championship

Figueiredo made his promotional debut on June 3, 2017 at UFC 212, facing Marco Beltran. He won the fight via technical knockout by corner stoppage after round two.

His next fight came on October 28, 2017 at UFC Fight Night: Brunson vs. Machida against Jarred Brooks. He won the fight via split decision.

On February 3, 2018 Figueiredo faced Joseph Morales at UFC Fight Night: Machida vs. Anders. He won the fight via technical knockout in round two.

Figueiredo faced John Moraga on August 25, 2018 at UFC Fight Night 135. He won the fight via technical knockout 3:08 into the second round.

Figueiredo was expected to face Joseph Benavidez on January 19, 2019 at UFC Fight Night 143. However the promotion clarified plans indicating that the pairing was off and that Figueiredo would be rescheduled for a separate event.

Figueiredo faced Jussier Formiga on March 23, 2019 at UFC Fight Night 148. He lost the fight via unanimous decision, thus resulting in Figueiredo's first professional loss.

Figueiredo faced Alexandre Pantoja on July 27, 2019 at UFC 240. He won the fight via unanimous decision. This fight earned him the Fight of the Night award.

Figueiredo faced Tim Elliott on October 12, 2019 at UFC on ESPN+ 19. He won the fight via submission in the first round.

UFC Flyweight Champion

Figueiredo faced Joseph Benavidez for the vacant UFC Flyweight Championship at UFC Fight Night 169 on February 29, 2020. At the weigh-in, Figueiredo weighed in at 127.5 pounds, 2.5 pounds over the title fight limit. As a result, Figueiredo forfeited 30 percent of his purse to Benavidez and wasn't eligible to win the UFC Flyweight championship. He won the fight via TKO in round two. Coming into the fight with Benavidez, Figueiredo had to cut 11 kilograms (24 lb). He reportedly suffered from kidney and stomach pains when his team decided to stop cutting weight. Figueiredo stated he would like to give Joseph Benavidez his rematch because Benavidez gave him the opportunity to fight when he missed weight ahead of their fight.

Figueiredo rematched with Joseph Benavidez for the vacant UFC Flyweight Championship at UFC Fight Night 172 on July 19, 2020. On July 11, 2020, Figueiredo tested positive for COVID-19. According to his manager, the bout was not yet officially removed and Figueiredo was administered a second COVID-19 test on July 12, 2020 where the result would be back on July 13, 2020 to determined if Figueiredo was free to fight. Figueiredo passed multiple COVID-19 tests, clearing him to fight in the main event. Figueiredo won the fight via a technical submission in the first round. This win earned him the Performance of the Night award.

As the first fight of his new six-fight contract with the UFC, Figueiredo was scheduled to make his first title defense against former UFC Bantamweight champion Cody Garbrandt on November 21, 2020 at UFC 255. However, it was reported on October 2, 2020 that Garbrandt had torn his bicep and was forced to pull out of the contest. Figueiredo instead made his first title defense against Alex Perez. He won the fight via guillotine choke submission in round one.

After a successful defence of his title at UFC 255, Figueiredo faced Brandon Moreno at UFC 256. This was the UFC's fastest championship turnaround, at 21 days. After five rounds of back-and-forth fighting, the fight was declared a majority draw. Figueiredo had a point taken from him by referee Jason Herzog in the 3rd round for a low blow: the foul proved crucial as it turned two 48-47 scorecards in his favor into even 47-47 decisions, with the third judge seeing the fight 48-46 for the champion. Both men won the Fight of the Night award.

Figueiredo then faced Moreno in a rematch on June 12, 2021 at UFC 263. He lost the bout and the title via a rear naked choke submission in round three.

A trilogy bout with Moreno for the UFC Flyweight Championship is scheduled on December 11, 2021 at UFC 269 initially, but it was moved to UFC 270. Figueiredo trained with Henry Cejudo at Fight Ready to prepare for the fight. He won the bout via unanimous decision, becoming a two time UFC Flyweight champion in the process. This fight earned him the Fight of the Night award.

Personal life

Figueiredo worked as a bricklayer, hairdresser, and sushi chef before competing in MMA professionally. He purchased a pet water buffalo bull using some of his early MMA purses, which he has named Ferdinand.

Following a stint at Team Alpha Male, Deiveson returned to his native Brazil and founded Team Figueiredo gym in Belém.

Championships and accomplishments

Mixed martial arts

• Ultimate Fighting Championship
  • UFC Flyweight Championship (Two times, Current)
    • Two successful title defenses
  • Fight of the Night (Three times) vs. Alexandre Pantoja and Brandon Moreno x2}
  • Performance of the Night (One time) vs. Joseph Benavidez
  • Tied for most finishes in Flyweight division (7)
  • Fastest submission in Flyweight division history (1:57)
  • 2020 Fighter of the Year
• MMAJunkie.com
  • 2019 July Fight of the Month vs. Alexandre Pantoja
  • 2020 December Fight of the Month vs. Brandon Moreno
• MMA Mania
  • 2020 Fight of the Year
  • 2020 Fighter of the Year
• The Athletic
  • 2020 Fighter of the Year
• MMA Fighting
  • 2020 Fighter of the Year
• Combat Press
  • 2020 Male Fighter of the Year
• Sherdog
  • 2020 Fighter of the Year
• The Body Lock MMA
  • 2020 Male Fighter of the Year

Grappling

• Brazilian jiu-jitsu
  • Brazilian Jiu-jitsu Northeast Brazil champion

Mixed martial arts record