Deiveson Figueiredo (photo via YouTube)

By FCF Staff

Officially, the UFC currently has no male flyweight champion. But, following his stoppage win at UFC Norfolk, Deiveson Figueiredo has proclaimed he’s the 125 champ.

Figueiredo faced Joseph Benavidez in the headliner of Saturday’s card, in a fight that initially, provided him a chance to secure the vacant flyweight title. But, since Figueiredo missed weight on Friday, he was ineligible to win the belt. The powerful flyweight proceeded to finish Benavidez in round two.

Although Figueiredo officially, is not the UFC’s new 125 king, after the bout the Brazilian fighter said this (quotes via MMA Fighting):

“I came out with the win, I’m super happy,” Figueiredo said. “I knocked out the No. 1 [contender] and I’m the champion. I’m the champion.

“I want to fight for the belt since I left without it tonight. I want a new opportunity to fight for it because I’m the champion.”

“I owe fans this show,” Figueiredo said. “I said I would go in there to knock this guy out tonight. This knockout was an apology to the public. I failed because of what happened in the past, but came here to knock this guy out and I fulfilled my promise.”

With the win on Saturday, Figueiredo moved his overall record to 18-1. The only fighter to defeat him to date is contender, Jussier “Formiga”, who did so via unanimous decision last May.