Flyweight champion Deiveson Figueiredo retained his title with a Split Draw vs. Brandon Moreno in the main event of UFC 256 on Saturday night. It was the shortest span between title defenses in league history – 21 days – and there had been pre-fight speculation that doing two weight cuts in the span could be problematic. In the post-fight interview, fans finally learned that Figueiredo had gone to the hospital the night before.
Last night I had a stomach infection, said Figueiredo to Joe Rogan, via a translator. I was in the hospital until 2 a.m., came here to fight with my stomach full of wind, and didn’t know if I would fight well today, and that’s what happened. This fight went the distance, but I really won. Even with a bad stomach, I came here and won, defended what’s mine. I gave my blood and came out with my hands raised.
Figueiredo and Moreno put on a fight of the year candidate, that would have been a decision win for “Figgy Smalls” had he not had a point deducted for a kick to the groin. The champ did not take issue with the deduction.
The referee did his job,” said Figueireido. “I poked Moreno’s eye and the kick unfortunately went low even though that’s not what I wanted. The referee did his job, but still, after he took the point, I decided to brawl and knock him out right there. But I couldn’t, and thank God I went until the end and gave this spectacle to the fans that are used to seeing my fights being over in the first round. I showed them today that I’m here. If we go past the first round, we’ll fight five rounds until the end. I’ll only leave there on a stretcher.
And then he left the arena on a stretcher, his second trip to the hospital in 24 hours.
Deiveson Figueiredo getting transported to the hospital after #UFC256 … the fight almost didn't happen because Figueiredo suffered weight cut complications the night before. Crazy will to still compete for 5 hard rounds. pic.twitter.com/sRcXyjbL3o
— MMA Mania (@mmamania) December 13, 2020
Figueiredo’s manager Wallid Ismael confirmed the pre-fight hospitalization.
He had constipation during weight cut, Ismail said. The fight almost didn’t happen. He only fought so the pay-per-view wouldn’t lose the main event. He didn’t even attend the meeting after the [official weigh-ins] because he didn’t have a proper rehydration after the weigh-ins. He made weight so easily on Thursday afternoon.
At the post-fight press conference, UFC president Dana White said he knew beforehand that the main event might be canceled.
Any time a guy goes to the hospital, you’re in danger, said White said. Obviously, we gave him – ‘do you want to fight, or do you not want to fight, it’s up to you.’ He was obviously cleared medically, but he had the option to fight or not fight, and he wanted to fight.
There has to be a rematch, and Figuereido is in, although not in 21 days.
If they want to put him in there again for me, rest assured that this time I’ll do the right camp to neutralize his game, said the champ to Rogan. I’m here for whatever Dana wants me to do. Dana White, I’m at your disposal. I stayed to defend a pay-per-view and had to make weight in less than 20 days again to put on this show. So, Dana, I’m at your disposal. If you want to do the rematch, go for it. I’ll go home and enjoy my son and my family a little bit, let me breathe a bit because the machine needs it.
At the post-fight press conference, White was asked when it might take place.
2021, replied White. I don’t know, I mean we gotta give these guys some time off. But you absolutely positively do that rematch. That’s another fun fight for us all to look forward to in 2021.
Former bantamweight champion Cody Garbrandt had been scheduled to challenge Figueiredo at UFC 255 on November 21, 2020. However, early in October it was announced that “No Love” had torn his bicep, and in August tested positive for COVID-19, and had been suffering from pneumonia, thrombosis, and brain fog. So how does Garbrandt figure into the next 125 title defense?
Garbrandt will have to wait,” said White.
h/t Steven Marrocco and Guilherme Cruz for MMA Fighting
