5 reasons why Deiveson Figueiredo has declined as a flyweight

Deiveson Figueiredo had the pleasure of taking part in the first PPV event of the year when he faced Brandon Moreno in the UFC's first-ever quadrilogy. The pair served as the co-main event at UFC 283 last January. Unfortunately, the bout came to an anticlimactic end.

In the third round, the Brazilian's eye was swollen shut and he was declared unfit to continue by the cage-side doctor, ultimately awarding 'The Assassin Baby' a TKO win. After the result, 'Deus da Guerra' was vocal about his intentions to ply his trade in a higher weight class, specifically at bantamweight.

Due to his recent performances against Brandon Moreno, it's easy to understand why he is now searching for a new division to call home. The nature of his losses to the Mexican champion has strong implications for his future. Unfortunately, Deiveson Figueiredo seems to have declined.

#5. Deiveson Figueiredo is drained by his weight cut

Weight cuts are a necessary evil in MMA. They are used to prove that fighters can compete in specific divisions without having too great a size advantage. Unfortunately, many mixed martial artists are still searching for as big a size advantage as possible. Thus, champions tend to be larger than most fighters.

Deiveson Figueiredo said he's going to 135lbs after this fight.

He already looks horrible from this weight cut days before weigh in #ufc https://t.co/D5lGnWT6da

The lightweight division's reigning champion, Islam Makhachev, is as large as the upper echelon of welterweights. His weight cut prior to UFC 284 was exceptionally brutal. However, if a weight cut is too extreme, it diminishes fighters. Deiveson Figueiredo cuts more weight than any other flyweight on the UFC roster.

He is freakishly big for the weight class. As he grows older and the weight cuts grow more extreme, his cardio, strength and overall durability will suffer. That appears to now be the case. The weight cut has grown too risky for him, which has now prompted a move into the bantamweight division.

#4. Deiveson Figueiredo's training is undercut by his weight cut

Whenever a fighter must cut weight to the same extremes that Deiveson Figueiredo does, it comes with a drawback. He pours a tremendous amount of resources into cutting weight. Unfortunately, spending too much time focusing on weight-cutting takes away from his overall training.

Deiveson Figueiredo cuts 18% of his body weight. This is literally the equivalent of cutting off your own leg.....or Henry Cejudo. https://t.co/X6ybXEgDBb

The more time he spends trying to cut weight, the less time he spends sparring and training. This means that he is more prone to stagnating as a fighter, which is why Brandon Moreno seems to have improved as a fighter due to their numerous bouts together, while Deiveson Figueiredo has remained the same.

Not being able to devote much time to improving his existing techniques or learning new ones has hampered his development as a fighter. Furthermore, if he can't spar as regularly due to most of his camp revolving around his weight cut, then his timing and sharpness will suffer due to the small number of training drills.

#3. There is now a proven gameplan against him

Brandon Moreno did more than capture and defend his divisional throne when he defeated Deiveson Figueiredo throughout their quadrilogy. The most important thing he did for the flyweight division and all of the Brazilian's future opponents is reveal the formula to defeat him.

Chapter 2:

Deiveson Figueiredo 🇧🇷 vs. Brandon Moreno 🇲🇽 II

#ViolentMoney #VMTV #MMA https://t.co/xd5lAgNTuc

The power-punching Brazilian is at his most effective when he is afforded a great amount of respect by his opponents. Whenever he clashes with a foe who gives him space and time to patiently stalk them and calmly find openings for his fight-ending shots, 'Deus da Guerra' is extremely dangerous.

The Mexican superstar chose not to respect his power and marched forward to deprive him of the time and space he needed to make successful reads. Smothering Figueiredo and forcing him to back up is a proven avenue of success against him. Other fighters will be sure to take note of this.

#2. Deiveson Figueiredo's age

Deiveson Figueiredo is 35. Come December of this year, he will turn 36. While heavyweights and light heavyweights are able to find success on the north side of 35, with some—like Randy Couture and Glover Teixeira—becoming champions in their forties, the opposite is true for the light weight classes.

Last time Deiveson Figueiredo fought someone not named Brandon Moreno, he was 32-years old. He’s now 35. https://t.co/SGeyA7pqUj

Oftentimes, fighters from the lightweight division and all the weight classes below it experience declines upon reaching their mid-thirties. Former interim lightweight champion Tony Ferguson's decline began when he turned 36. With his own 36th birthday awaiting him in December, Deiveson Figueiredo's clock is ticking.

With his age working against him, he'll struggle the longer he continues fighting. This is especially true for a fighter who relies so much on his physicality, which will only wane the older he grows.

#1. Deiveson Figueiredo has absorbed a lot of damage in his last four fights

Toughness is fundamental to success in mixed martial arts. Thus, most fighters pride themselves on showcasing their toughness. 'BMF' claimant Nate Diaz is widely regarded as a paragon of toughness due to how difficult he has been to finish, whether by knockout or submission.

According to the most recent information, Deiveson Figueiredo might be out for at least 6 months due to severe injuries he got at #UFC283 https://t.co/VCalS3eUyh

However, the drawback to toughness is that it convinces fighters that they are invincible. Unfortunately, damage eventually accumulates. Deiveson Figueiredo has absorbed tremendous damage in his last four fights against Brandon Moreno.

The Brazilian power-puncher was finished twice by his foe, once via TKO and once via submission. Furthermore, he took part in two Fight of the Night winners. The amount of damage he withstood won't do him any favors moving forward.