Brandon Moreno doesn’t think much of Deiveson Figueiredo’s UFC ultimatum.
Figueiredo is currently unhappy with the company for scheduling an interim flyweight title fight between Moreno and Kai Kara-France while he is sidelined due to injury. The champion had told the UFC earlier this week that he was leaving the division unless the pay increases. Figueiredo, from whom he took the belt, thinks such a negotiation crazy.
“I don’t know what he’s thinking right now, [whether] it’s really for the money, or he’s kind of scared,” Moreno told Ariel Helwani on The MMA Hour. I don’t think he is scared. It’s just too much rubbish talk. I’m sick of trash talk with this guy. I’m done with that. However, I’m not sure. But he doesn’t want fight. Although I am aware of a crucial matchup with Kara-France I hope to see him once more before the end. His crazy statements include, “Oh, I want to get more money”
“Like anybody cares, man. Nobody cares. It’s not like he’s moving to 135 and the UFC is going to go, ‘Oh, OK, you’re going to move to 135?
Moreno and Figueiredo have a long history together, with the two men having fought over the flyweight title three times in the past 18 months. After a drawn fight, Moreno defeated Figueiredo. Figueiredo won the rematch and Figueiredo took revenge at UFC 270 in January. Figueiredo was awarded the title by unanimous vote.
Originally, the UFC was targeting a fourth fight between the two – a first in the promotion’s history. However, injuries to Figueiredo forced the company to pivot to an interim title, and while Moreno is happy he gets another crack at a belt, it’s obvious that “The Assassin Baby” wishes it was another bout with his rival.
” That was the original plan,” Moreno stated. Everyone wanted to see that fight. UFC: I wanted to fight that fight. Figueiredo was not included. He wanted – I don’t know what he wants, to be honest. He said no and it made me feel a bit disappointed. I don’t know if I lie to you, but I do love money. I love to buy stupid things, but imagine the legacy. That sounds incredible. Four battles against someone, the first in [UFC] History.
” I am crossing my fingers that he fights me again, because his history is different from the others. The first one was a draw, I beat him terrible in the second one, [and] the f****** judges in the third one stole my belt. I thought the fourth fight against him would be a very interesting matchup. But it is what it is.
Moreno’s bout with Kara-France will take place on July 30 at UFC 277. Should he manage to win the interim title, and should Figueiredo deign to stay at 125, a unification bout could happen in the fall, when Figueiredo is expected to be able to return. It would be a history-making bout and arguably the biggest fight in flyweight history, and so Moreno is imploring his rival to cool his jets so they can settle their business later this year.
” I’m going to be dissatisfied [if Figueiredo leaves],, because you can just picture the past and the heritage,” Moreno stated. “Wow. If Figueiredo is watching this or watches this in the future, stop saying stupid things. Wait for me, and I will see you in future. More than money, more than whatever, legacy, brother. We can do it together.
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