Deiveson Figueiredo Predicts Early KO Win Over Brandon Moreno At UFC 263

Mandatory Credit: Jeff Bottari - Zuffa LLC

Ahead of their UFC flyweight title rematch next weekend in Glendale, Arizona -- defending champion, Deiveson Figueiredo has predicted an early knockout win over Brandon Moreno following their spectacular majority draw in December.

Successfully retaining his championship following the Fight of the Year contender, Brazilian standout, Figueiredo battled to a grueling majority draw against Baja California native, Moreno -- after he suffered a point deduction midway through the third round due to an illegal groin strike. 

Prior to next weekend's title co-main event against developing rival, Moreno -- Figueiredo has predicted a knockout victory over the challenger within the opening two rounds, detailing how he had suffered from stomach problems the night prior to the matchup in December.

"I am training to do a quick fight," Figueiredo said during a recent interview with Ag Fight. "I'm going to knock this guy (Brandon Moreno) out in the first or second round. I was not 100% in the first fight. He's been saying that I have no potential, that I don't have heavy hand (sic). I will show that he is wrong about what he thinks about me. I am a guy that the opponent manages to arouse ire in me when he starts talking trash. I called my team, we had a meeting and we are creating something inevitable. I want to show that I am the real owner of the belt."

"I had three months to prepare for the fight with Moreno, something I didn't have in the first one (fight)," Figueiredo explained. "It was only twenty days (between UFC 255 and UFC 256). You can be sure that I will fight 100% and this guy lasts less than two rounds with me. I am very confident, I trust the work of my team and I am prepared to fight with it. He has sharp boxing, Mexican (style) like boxing. I'm good at Jiu-Jitsu, I'm a black belt. I'm also a striker, so I have more game than him. In any area, you can be sure that I will be prepared in the second fight."

In the midst of a six-fight undefeated streak, Figueiredo's sole professional loss came against compatriot, Jussier Formiga back in March of 2019 at UFC Fight Night Nashville where he suffered a close unanimous decision defeat.

In the time since, the Para native has scored wins over Alexandre Pantoja, Tim Elliott, and multiple-time title challenger, Joseph Benavidez, the second of which came on 'Fight Island' last July in a vacant flyweight title-clinching effort via a brutal opening round rear-naked choke. 

Headlining UFC 255 in November, Figueiredo stopped short-notice replacement, Alex Perez with a nasty opening frame guillotine to lodge his first successful defence of the 125lbs throne.

Earning his December tilt against Figueiredo, two-stint UFC veteran, Moreno had taken decision wins over Kai Kara-France, common-foe, Formiga, and on the same UFC 255 card -- handed Brandon Royvel an opening round knockout after the latter had suffered a dislocated shoulder just before the round klaxon.