The UFC has seen some of the greatest rivalries in the history of MMA, but perhaps none as fierce as that between Mexican fighter Brandon Moreno and Brazilian Deiveson Figueiredo. The two flyweight superstars have developed an intense rivalry over the past few years that has been evident in their performances inside the octagon.
In a span of just 25 months, the two fighters have met three times, and each fight has been a complete show.
Now they are again preparing to face each other at UFC 283 on Saturday, January 21, in what promises to be a vibrant event since both fighters are more experienced and have the great challenge of defining a single champion, something that will inevitably mark their careers.
Brandon Moreno
Moreno has gained tremendous popularity in recent months. In previous bouts, he has had the public on his side since the events have taken place in states with a large majority of Mexican-Americans, such as Arizona, California, and Texas.
Now Moreno will have to play at Figueiredo’s house, an environment that will be hostile to the Mexican, forcing him to work on his mental strength.
His only visit to Brazil against a local rival was behind closed doors in Brasilia, in the last show before the pandemic shut down in March 2020, when he defeated Jussier Formiga by a unanimous decision.
Deiveson Figueiredo
Figueiredo cannot relax just because he will fight at home; in fact, the pressure is greater for the locals since Brazil currently does not have great fighters and needs new representatives to leave the nation’s name high.
The fighter announced that he would train with Diego Lima and Charles Oliveira at Chute Boxe in Sao Paulo; however, weeks later, he decided to stay home in Belem to be close to his family.
Past clashes
The Tijuana native first drew with Figueiredo in December 2020 in Las Vegas.
For the second confrontation, the Mexican was crowned champion in June 2021 in Glendale, Arizona, by submitting the ‘God of War.’
Later, in the third part of this saga, the Brazilian regained his belt by beating the ‘Cara de Niño Asesino’ unanimously in Anaheim in January 2022.
“I never want to see him again,” Moreno told the Los Angeles Times from Rio de Janeiro when speaking of Figueiredo. “Of course, there is a part of me that says, ‘I don’t want to face him anymore.’ But business is business. He has the belt, and I want to be the undisputed champion. So I want to beat Deiveson and turn the page.”
“I told him, ‘I want to fight you, and I want my belt back.’ I understand what it means; I understand what it means to come here to Brazil. All my fans are not so close here to support me, but today I am ready. I think that one of the things that I had to prepare the most for the mental part.”
What do the odds say?
Deiveson Figueiredo -118
Brandon Moreno +100
Figueiredo has a slight edge in terms of odds and is positioned as the favorite for the fight. However, we must not forget that Moreno made a TKO win against Kai Kara-France at UFC 277.
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