“I’m the Man Today”- Deiveson Figueiredo Rejects Cody Garbrandt Match-Up

Deiveson Figueiredo just rescued the drowning flyweight division of UFC by becoming its new champion at Fight Night on July 18.

However, he has already gunning for his next opponent to defend the strap. After receiving a hero’s welcome in Brazil, ‘Deus da Guerra’ believes that he has to keep adding elements in his fighting style, to avoid people from decoding him.

That said, Figueiredo is not interested in battling former bantamweight champion Cody Garbrandt right now. While Garbrandt has been teasing a potential move to the flyweight roster, UFC is reportedly ready to offer him the 125lbs title shot.

Yet, Figueiredo claims that there are several deserving contenders already on the line and he would fight them before he takes on Garbrandt.

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Deiveson Figueiredo doesn’t want to defend his title against Cody Garbrandt next

The Brazilian champion has got plenty of options in the likes of Brandon Moreno and Askar Askarov right now. Thus, Figueiredo doesn’t want to put his title on the line against Garbrandt.

“I’m the man today, and everybody will study my game. To avoid getting figured out and make sure they don’t get the belt away from me, I’ll travel more and add more weapons to my style,” said Figueiredo.

However, Figueiredo hasn’t ruled out the possibility of facing Garbrandt in the near future. It is just that the Brazilian won’t be facing ‘No Love’ in his instant flyweight debut.

“We want him to prove he can make 125 pounds and fight someone in my weight class,” Figueiredo told MMA Fighting.

As far as Figueiredo is concerned, the only way he would consider Garbrandt as a legitimate title contender is if Garbrandt notches a win in the 125 lbs division. But not before that.

“After that, if he wins, he can come fight me. But we don’t agree with him coming down and skipping the line and going straight for the belt against me. He needs to prove he can make 125 and fight someone.

“It would be unfair if the UFC puts him straight for the belt. I think the UFC has to respect the others that worked hard for a title shot,” said the freshly minted flyweight champion.

What’s next for ‘No Love’

Cody ‘No Love’ Garbrandt ended his win-draught by knocking out Raphael Assuncao at UFC 250. Before that, ‘No Love’ was riding on a three-fight losing streak.

However, it seems that Garbrandt has lost his interest over the 135 lbs division for the timing. Although it is not official yet, we could soon witness Garbrandt in the flyweight division.

Since Figueiredo has also vowed to face him, if claimed a win in the division, Garbrandt can very well be the two-division champion in the promotion. A chance to be one of the few persons to have ever achieved that milestone.

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