Deiveson Figueiredo talks about the change in Brandon Moreno since their first fight
Deiveson Figueiredo believes Brandon Moreno is scared of him heading into UFC 283.
On January 21, Figueiredo and Moreno will square off for the fourth time in the UFC 283 co-main event. Their rivalry started with a majority draw in December 2020. Six months later, ‘The Assassin Baby’ solidified his legacy with an unforgettable third-round submission at UFC 263.
‘Deus da Guerra’ continued to evolve as a fighter and avenged his loss in January 2022. Since then, Figueiredo has been healing from an undisclosed injury while Moreno became the interim champion. During the UFC 283 media day, the reigning UFC flyweight king had this to say:
“I’m Brandon’s nightmare. Unfortunately, this is the only fight that UFC has to sell. Deiveson Figueiredo vs. Brandon Moreno… I think the biggest difference is his fear of me. He can’t stand me, and I think that’s what makes the biggest difference.”
Figueiredo and Moreno have put on three exciting fights, and the same is expected at UFC 283. The event will take place on January 21 inside the Jeunesse Arena in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil. After the flyweight quadrilogy fight, Glover Teixeira and Jamahal Hill will go toe-to-toe for the vacant light heavyweight championship in the main event.
youtu.be/HaCti8Z42rIDeiveson Figueiredo believes he's Brandon Moreno's "nightmare" 😱
Full #UFC283 scrum ▶️ youtu.be/HaCti8Z42rI https://t.co/P7mLNYy7Qs
Deiveson Figueiredo says ‘the whole nation of Brazil’ will support him against Brandon Moreno
Deiveson Figueiredo last fought in Brazil at UFC Fight Night 125, taking out Joseph Morales with a second-round TKO. Four years later, he returns as the UFC flyweight world champion. During the UFC 283 media day, ‘Deus da Guerra’ was asked about fighting Brandon Moreno in Brazil for the first time. He responded by saying:
“I fought Brandon three times already, and his last two fights, I feel like it was 85% Mexicans. Now he’s fighting in Brazil, and the crowd is going to be behind me, so it’s gonna be a lot different. The whole nation of Brazil is gonna be supporting me.”
Figueiredo will surely have Brazilian fans' support, but there are plenty of reasons for the hometown crowd to get excited. All 15 bouts at UFC 283 feature at least one Brazilian fighter. The UFC's return to Rio de Janeiro for the first time since the pandemic should create a legendary atmosphere.