The Brazilian ‘God of War’ resurrects flyweight division
LAS VEGAS — Not so long ago, the UFCmen’s flyweight division was so thin and so boring that Dana White considered dropping the whole weight class.
A brilliant Brazilian champion nicknamed the “God of War” has changed everything for the smallest men on the UFC roster.
Deiveson Figueiredo stopped Alex Perez with a guillotine choke in the first round at UFC 255 on Saturday night, defending his men’s 125-pound belt for the first time
Figueiredo (20-1) earned his record-tying seventh stoppage victory in the 125-pound division by clamping onto Perez’s neck out of a scramble at 1:57 in the opening round.
Figueiredo appeared in Norfolk just before the pandemic hit, stopping Joseph Benavidez in the second round Feb.
29 at Old Dominion’s Chartway Arena.
Figueiredo’s latest exciting victory fits the plan for the UFC, which would love to spark public interest in the quiet flyweight division with a dominant title reign by Figueiredo, a former sushi chef and hairdresser’s assistant from the mouth of the Amazon.
With 17 stoppages in his first 20 victories, Figueiredo’s ability to finish his fights is unusual in the flyweight division — and exactly what it needs to attract fans.
“He looked incredible tonight,” White said. “If you don’t like this guy, stop watching
fights.”
Mindful of building a star while he’s on the rise, White wants Figueiredo to return to the cage next month against Brandon Moreno, likely at UFC 256 on Dec. 12.