MMA community reacts to Deiveson Figueiredo missing weight for flyweight title fight

By Tom Taylor - February 28, 2020

Deiveson Figueiredo could have become a UFC champion this weekend. Unfortunately, a scale fail has dashed his title dreams.

Deiveson Figueiredo

On Friday morning, Figueiredo missed weight for his flyweight title fight with Joseph Benavidez, which tops Saturday’s UFC Norfolk card. The Brazilian finished tipped the scales at 127.5 pounds, a significant 2.5 pounds over the 125-pound limit for flyweight title fights. While he was initially given an extra hour to make weight, he and his team ultimately abandoned their attempt to do so.

With this result, Figueiredo will surrender 30% of his purse to Benavidez. Far more importantly, he will no longer be eligible to win the flyweight title — even if he defeats Benavidez. In other words, the UFC flyweight title will still be vacant even if Figueiredo comes out on top tomorrow.

Unsurprisingly, this UFC Norfolk shakeup generated some interesting reactions rom the MMA community.

https://twitter.com/allelbows/status/1233429833801031680

https://twitter.com/LynchOnSports/status/1233426137331720192

Deiveson Figueiredo will enter this UFC Norfolk headlining fight with Joseph Benavidez on a two-fight streak, having recently defeated Alexandre Pantoja by decision, and Tim Elliot by submission.

Leading into the fight with Benavidez, he told BJPENN.com that he believed he’d become the champion this weekend.

“Fighting for the belt is making my dreams come true. I am not just going to fight for the belt, I’m going to win and be the champion. Everybody can be sure about that,” Figueiredo said through his manager Wallid Ismail, who served as translator. “I’m very confident and on Saturday I’m going to be the next UFC champion. I have a lot of respect for Benavidez but he can not handle me.”

Unfortunately, that’s no longer possible.

What are your thoughts on Deiveson Figueiredo missing the flyweight limit for his UFC Norfolk title fight with Joseph Benavidez?

This article first appeared on BJPENN.com on 2/28/2020.   


Topics:

Deiveson Figueiredo UFC UFC Norfolk