Deiveson Figueiredo Lays Out Plan After Perez Fight, Looks to Future at Bantamweight

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Ultimate Fighting Championship flyweight champion Deiveson Figueiredo plans to knock out Alex Perez, and eventually move up to bantamweight after notching several defenses.

Getting ready to make his first 125-pound title defense against Perez, Brazil's Figueiredo will fight in the main event of UFC 255 on Nov. 21. Two weeks before the fight, the champ spoke to Sherdog about his upcoming challenge.

“My main goal is to defend the belt five times and go up to [the] bantamweight division,” Figueiredo declared.

Weighing 141 pounds at the moment, Figueiredo recognized that he gave his nutritionist a hard time.

“I was born in Para state, Acai is part of our culture, we have eaten it since we were born,” Figueiredo stated. “Dr. Lia [Figueiredo’s nutritionist] had a hard time to quit Acai from my diet, but we did it. Today, I’m eating carbohydrates only in the breakfast; salad and vegetables with one protein in the lunch and dinner. I’m also drinking seven liters of water per day. And that’s how I’m weighting 141 lbs. two weeks before the fight.”

The Brazilian also revealed that no changes were made to his camp since Cody Garbrandt withdrew from the bout, to be replaced by Perez.

“To tell you the truth I didn’t understand what happened to Cody,” the champion admitted. “In the following days of his bicep injury announcement, I saw him in the Instagram working out in a gym. How come? I really hope one day that fight happens. But they have similar styles. Actually, Perez has two dangerous blows: a straight punch and an overhand, and I’m pretty well trained for both. I don’t underestimate any opponent, but I’ll keep my rhythm until knock him out.”

When it comes to the other title fight on his card, where countrymate Jennifer Maia takes on massive betting favorite and divisional queen Valentina Shevchenko, Figueiredo shared some thoughts as well.

“She should avoid the striking exchange,” Figuriedo advised. “Nobody tested Valentina’s ground game yet. [Maia] is a jiu-jitsu black belt and should do that.”