Deiveson Figueiredo believes he can climb to the highest of the mountain, simply as Alex Pereira did at UFC 320.
Just some quick years in the past, Figueiredo was the reigning flyweight world champion. At this time, ‘Deus da Guerra’ is struggling to search out his approach within the bantamweight division. After arising quick in back-to-back bouts towards Petr Yan and Cory Sandhangen, he’ll look to proper the ship when he steps again contained in the Octagon at UFC Rio for a high-stakes conflict with streaking standout Montel Jackson.
Closing in on 40 years outdated, some would counsel that Figueiredo’s greatest days are behind him, however the Brazilian is discovering inspiration in his fellow countrymen. Particularly, Glover Teixeira who defied the percentages and captured the UFC’s mild heavyweight title effectively after his fortieth birthday.
“I’m about to show 38, and ‘Poatan’ simply grew to become champion at this age,” Figueiredo advised MMA Preventing. “It’s inspiring. However for me, my instance is Glover Teixeira—a man who grew to become champion at 41, 42. That motivates me much more.”
Deiveson Figueiredo appears to be like to snap Jackson’s six-fight win streak in Rio
Sitting simply outdoors the division’s prime 5, Figueiredo might very effectively be one large win away from securing one other shot at UFC gold. After all, that’ll be no simple job when he takes on the surging Jackson.
Stringing collectively six straight victories, together with an insane 18-second knockout of Da’Mon Blackshear final yr, ‘Quik’ lastly broke into the bantamweight prime 15. With a win over Figueiredo in enemy territory, Jackson might thrust himself deep into the highest 10, making him an instantaneous contender within the UFC’s most talent-rich division.