Deiveson Figueiredo is champion again, and he plans to leverage that position as much as possible.
The Brazilian star regained the UFC flyweight title in his trilogy bout with Brandon Moreno at UFC 270, winning a unanimous decision over his rival to even their series at 1-1-1. Moreno has called for an immediate fourth fight due to the third being closely contested, which would be the first time ever that two fighters were booked to fight four times in the UFC (and consecutively, no less).
Figueiredo has already said that he is more interested in facing the surging Kai Kara-France, who fights Askar Askarov on March 26. On the Monday edition of The MMA Hour, he said if the UFC wants to do something unprecedented with he and Moreno, then they should be ready to pay up.
” I think no,” Figueiredo stated in Portuguese, with translator assistance by Wallid Ismail. “I think about Kai Kara-France. The price of the fourth fight is mine. The UFC may want the fourth fight. I would like to know the cost. If they are looking to make something historical, we can pay the historic price for the flyweight division. … Whoever pay better for me, this is the guy I’m gonna fight.”
Prompted for a dollar amount, Figueiredo answered that he’s aiming to net seven figures, and he wasn’t shy about sharing his plans for that money.
“One million dollars,” Figueiredo said. I like one million .”
“More money, more pay-per-view, and the more money I make the more gold I’m gonna buy,” he continued. You know Iron Man?” The ‘Gold Man .'”
is coming to your door.
In the lead-up to his third fight with Moreno, Figueiredo was notably more brash on the microphone, perhaps influenced by his team of Ismail, coach Eric Albarracin, and former UFC two-division champion Henry Cejudo, all of whom are known for their outspoken personalities.
According to Figueiredo, he has a new view of how to do business that extends beyond just how he performs on fight night.
“I want someone who knows how to sell,” he said. “I want to fight against who — not just the money I’m gonna make, I want to sell a lot of pay-per-view, I want to show the world to respect the flyweight division. I want somebody who knows how to sell, knows how to talk. My opponent .”
will sell better.
” Personally, I believe the fight should be Moreno as no other fights will sell more than this,” Ismail said. “I think [Figueiredo] deserves the money he wants. UFC is incredible. The UFC always takes care of who knows how to sell and this guy, he knows how to sell. You don’t have to tell me anything. You saw the press conference.”
While Ismail seems eager to have Figueiredo face off against Moreno, the champion doesn’t sound as excited about it. He shot down the possibility of fighting in Moreno’s home country of Mexico and then expressed animosity toward Moreno, though he did not elaborate as to why he particularly dislikes his rival.
“Brandon Moreno [is a] motherf*cker,” Figueiredo stated in English. “I don’t like Brandon Moreno.”
Figueiredo, and Isamil reaffirmed that they are all in favor of a fight against Moreno, regardless how bitter their rivalries might be.
” We’re going to talk with the UFC,” Figueiredo stated. I want to fight someone who is going to sell. Brandon Moreno is tired. But if Brandon Moreno sells, then the UFC will want Brandon Moreno. I will fight Brandon Moreno. Let’s just discuss the numbers .”
