The Figueiredo family name has become synonymous with MMA greatness, largely thanks to Deiveson Figueiredo‘s dominant reign as a two-time UFC Flyweight Champion. But behind his impressive legacy lies another Figueiredo—a fighter who shares the same tenacity, grit, and love for combat sports. Meet Francisco Figueiredo, Deiveson’s younger brother!

From his roots in Soure, Pará, to his brief stint in the UFC, Francisco’s path is one of resilience and hard lessons. So, what happened to the man who was once heralded as a rising star? Let’s explore his origins and his career to find out why Francisco Figueiredo was ultimately cut from the UFC.

Where is Francisco Figueiredo from? Early life and background

Francisco Nazareno da Costa Figueiredo Junior was born on October 23, 1989, in Soure, Pará, Brazil—a remote city on the isle of Marajó. It’s here that Francisco and his siblings were raised by their father, a buffalo herder and practitioner of ‘luta marajoara’ – a traditional wrestling style unique to the region.

The Figueiredo brothers and their younger sister grew up in a household steeped in discipline and tradition. Francisco was the first to leave home, moving to Belém for high school. It was in this city that his love for martial arts began to take shape. Starting with Capoeira at 13, he juggled odd jobs as a bartender and sushi kitchen assistant before committing fully to MMA.

In a past interview, the younger Figueiredo revealed, “One day I was at the gym and a kid sat down next to me and said: ‘Do you want to work man?’, And, I really wanted to – I would have to go back to Soure if I didn’t get a job. I said: ’I want to’. He said: ‘I’m going to teach you how to make sushi’.”

He was lost at first, as growing up in the countryside meant that he had no idea what sushi really was. But Francisco persisted. He further revealed, “But I learned how to make sushi and I got another job, I worked as a bartender and as an assistant in the sushi kitchen. It was at that time that my brother came from Soure. I worked at this (restaurant) for about two years and then decided to just teach. I got a formal job and started teaching at the gym. That way, I had more time to train.”

Francisco Figueiredo then launched his professional MMA career in 2009, carving out a name for himself on Brazil’s regional scene. Fighting in the Jungle Fight promotion, he won the interim bantamweight title in 2018. Later, his plans to fight the reigning champion were scrapped due to the pandemic. But in 2021, ‘Sniper’s life took a turn as the UFC came calling!

Francisco Figueiredo’s UFC departure and MMA record

Francisco entered the UFC in 2021. His debut? A solid, unanimous decision win over Jerome Rivera. Fans saw flashes of brilliance.

But the UFC is a harsh classroom. In his second bout, he stumbled against Malcolm Gordon. A ray of light came next—he submitted Daniel da Silva with a kneebar. It was slick, stunning, and earned him a Performance of the Night bonus.

Still, inconsistency followed. At UFC 278, he faced Amir Albazi. The result? A first-round submission loss via rear-naked choke. That was the final straw.

In August 2022, Francisco was cut from the UFC. Why? The flyweight division is crowded and ruthless. A 2-2 record just didn’t cut it. Every fight in the division is a proving ground. And Francisco, despite his heart, couldn’t maintain momentum.

According to Tapology, Francisco now holds a professional MMA record of 13 wins, 5 losses, and 1 draw. 

What does Francisco Figueiredo do now? 

So, what’s “Sniper” up to these days? He’s not hanging up the gloves just yet. In fact, Francisco fought recently at CORE FC 1, where he faced Dzhamaludin Aliev. He hasn’t left the sport—just the biggest stage, for now.

Alongside his brother Deiveson, Francisco co-owns Team Figueiredo, a gym in Belém, Brazil. There, the brothers help shape the next wave of fighters. Francisco isn’t just a coach—he’s a mentor, a trainer, and still an active competitor.

In many ways, he’s found a new purpose. No more chasing UFC gold. Now, he’s laying down stepping stones for others. While Francisco rebuilds, his brother Deiveson gears up for a massive bantamweight showdown. 

He’ll take on Cory Sandhagen at UFC on ESPN 67 in Des Moines, Iowa. So, could we see Francisco Figueiredo return to the UFC one day and join his brother once more? Let us know your thoughts in the comments below!