Deiveson Figueiredo: After UFC 300, 'the organization is going to see me with different eyes'

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LAS VEGAS – Deiveson Figueiredo sees an elevated level of respect between the UFC and opponent Cody Garbrandt, and hopes to leave UFC 300 with something similar.

The bantamweight bout between the two former champions kicks off Saturday’s prelims at T-Mobile Arena. Figueiredo (22-3-1 MMA, 11-3-1 UFC) is honored to serve as the curtain jerker for one of the most anticipated events in the promotion’s history.

“I was very happy because Dana (White) said, ‘I want a packed house from the start.'” Figueiredo told MMA Junkie and other reporters Wednesday at a pre-fight news conference. “And you have Cody being an aggressive guy, a guy who likes a heated fight. I’m going to bring that fight to him. That’s the fight that we’re getting in a packed house.”

Garbrandt (14-5 MMA, 9-5 UFC) spoke to reporters minutes prior and expressed thoughts Figueiredo has not prepared properly for UFC 300. When asked, Figueiredo didn’t use much energy analyzing his opponent’s comments. He was more interested in discussing how he plans to earn more backing and opportuntiy from the UFC.

“Everybody knows that I will fight anyone, that the organization has seen that I’ll fight anybody in this company,” Figueiredo said. “I think I’m just ready to fight on Saturday because winning on Saturday means I have the greatest opportunity of my life right now. I think the organization is going to see me with different eyes and give me some love and give me the opportunity.

“… I trained a lot for this one. I gave my all in my camp. I think Cody is the guy who’s respected and seen in a certain light by the organization. I do believe that with a win like this that the UFC does give me this opportunity.”

Figueiredo, 36, was expected to defend the UFC flyweight title against Garbrandt in 2020, though the matchup never materialized. Garbrandt withdrew due to a rough bout with COVID-19 and the bout was not rescheduled until a few months ago. Figueiredo is excited to transcribe an unwritten chapter of his career.

“I don’t think this fight is going to the end,” Figueiredo said. “If you look at my style and look at his style, I’ve trained so hard on my striking for this. I hope he doesn’t move around to try to avoid that because I want him to stand and strike with me. It’s three rounds. We don’t got much time. We need to go at it.

“… I’ve always been a very motivated guy, a very focused guy in my fights. As far as Cody is concerned, I’ve talked about him back when I was a flyweight. I’ve talked about this before, for what I want. I come out, my style is give people a fight. That’s my style. I want people to see a show. That’s what I want to put on for people.”

For more on the card, visit MMA Junkie’s event hub for UFC 300.

This article originally appeared on MMA Junkie: Deiveson Figueiredo: After UFC 300, ‘the organization is going to see me with different eyes’