Deiveson Figueiredo: Cody Garbrandt Should Make 125 First, Before Title Shot’s Rebooked
By FCF Staff
Deiveson Figueiredo isn’t going to demand that Cody Garbrandt fight at 125 pounds before he receives a title shot. But, the UFC flyweight champ believes ‘No Love’ should need to get past a top flyweight contender, before he’s rebooked for a title fight.
Garbrandt was originally scheduled to fight Figueiredo at UFC 255 this Saturday, but he was forced to withdraw due to a biceps injury. The former bantamweight champ, who has yet to compete at 125 pounds in the Octagon, was replaced by Alex Perez.
While talking with the media ahead of UFC 255, Figueiredo had this to say about Garbrandt (quotes via MMA Junkie).
“I hope that fight happens,” Figueiredo said. “I’m very excited for that fight, but he first needs to prove he can make the weight. Making the weight in this division is very hard, so he needs to prove it. But I’ll be happy to fight Cody in the future.”
“Garbrandt needs to fight somebody at flyweight, but if Dana (White) really thinks I should fight him or Cejudo, I’ll be ready to fight with whoever. But I think it’s a good to fight someone in my weight class and I’m happy for this fight against Perez on Saturday. And whoever it would’ve been, Perez or whoever, I’d be happy to fight this Saturday.”
Figueiredo (19-1) won the vacated belt this past July by choking out Joseph Benavidez in the opening round. Perez (24-5), meanwhile, is coming off a stoppage win over Jussier Formiga in June.
UFC 255 will be hosted by the Apex Facility in Las Vegas.