Deiveson Figueiredo was overcome with emotion at UFC Fight Night 261 as he defeated Montel Jackson.
Despite his confidence he was the rightful winner, Figueiredo (25-5-1 MMA, 14-5-1 UFC) admits Jackson (15-3 MMA, 9-3 UFC) did surprise him with one thing.
“It was kind of surprising how well he was able to defend my takedown attempts and everything,” Figueiredo said on the ESPN+ post-fight show. “But we trained really hard. … He actually landed and connected a punch at the end of the first round, but nothing apart from that. I was able to put on a good fight.”
Figueiredo, 37, did not take the moment for granted. As every Brazilian on the roster spammed UFC matchmakers for their slot on the card, Figueiredo, a former champion, was one of the chosen few. He did not take the moment for granted.
“It’s amazing,” Figueiredo said. “It’s really, really amazing to be able to live this moment with a crowd here, to feel like a champion. It’s contagious. It’s amazing.”
With UFC Fight Night 261 behind him, Figueiredo’s attention turns toward the future. He’d like to sneak one more in this calendar year, if time allows.
“(I’ll fight) whenever UFC wants me to fight,” Figueiredo said. “Maybe year-end. If the UFC wants it, maybe it can set me up nicely to dispute for the belt.”
