UFC Champ Deiveson Figueiredo: My Next Title Defense Will Be Against Whoever ‘Sells More’

Two days after regaining the flyweight belt with a decision win over Brandon Moreno at UFC 270, Deiveson Figueiredo briefly let his thoughts drift to a return home while dining with teammates at a Denny’s in Arizona, where he trains at Fight Ready.

The first two-time flyweight champion in UFC history won’t relax for long, however.

"I can't wait to have some acai and eat some typical Amazon fish that I love,” Figueiredo told Sherdog.com. “But as soon as possible I want to return with my family to Arizona. Besides loving the city, I was treated like family here. There is no doubt that my next camp will be here."

Figueiredo worked with coaches Henry Cejudo and Eric Albarracin to develop an interesting strategy – complete with code phrases -- for the trilogy with Moreno.

"Our game plan was always to mix [it up] and never leave Moreno in his comfort zone,” Figueiredo said. “For example, when my corner screams ‘Taco Burrito, I attack with body shots; ‘Chifrada’ means a double-leg feint; ‘Joga pra terra’ means ‘take him down.’”

In addition to praising the work of his corner, Figueiredo also thanked his new nutritionist and the UFC Performance Institute.

"The best thing in my life was to bring Rafael from Brazil. He did an amazing job and besides not suffering to reach the weight, I felt stronger in that fight. The PI diet was also unbelievable with their food,” he said.

Heading into his next title defense, Figueiredo is not lacking for options. A fourth date with Moreno seems inevitable, but the Brazilian also has other possibilities like Kai Kara France, who he expressed an interest in facing during the UFC 270 post-fight press conference, and Alexandre Pantoja, who called him out for a rematch.

Ultimately, Figueiredo is certain about only one thing for his next UFC appearance.

"I want to face the opponent who sells more,” he said. “Pantoja is a great guy. I believe we could have a great rematch, but his [ability to sell a fight] is no good. Furthermore, UFC Rio in May is too close. Kara France knocked out a former champion, Cody Garbrandt. If he beats Askar Askarov, that fight would make sense, as would a fourth fight with Moreno, so I’ll let my manager work with the UFC to decide.”

Figueiredo also welcomed the possibility of a future super fight with the promotion’s bantamweight champion if the opportunity arises.

"That would be amazing, I think Petr Yan will beat Aljamain [Sterling], and I truly believe we could have a great fight. But now my focus is 100% on resting and recovering my body,” Figueiredo said.

“I had two injuries (groin and finger) a few weeks before the fight. Thank God, the groin healed, but I needed to do some serious therapy to be able to close my hand the week of the fight.”

Going forward, Figueiredo believes the flyweight division will continue to have a bright future in the UFC.

"[We once thought] that the flyweight division was close to being finished, and last Saturday our bout was much more exciting than the heavyweights,” he said. “It’s amazing to see that we have plenty of great possibilities for great fights in the division. Flyweight is stronger than ever and I´m happy to keep playing an important role in that history.”