He may be 38 years old, but Deiveson Figueiredo says he’s not going anywhere anytime soon.
The two-time UFC flyweight champion is currently in pursuit of title glory in another division, having moved up to bantamweight after the end of his second reign at 125 pounds.
Having lost three of his last four fights, Figueiredo will face Song Yadong at UFC Macau on Saturday, where a victory will be crucial if the Brazilian is to keep his name close to the gold.
Given his difficult run in recent times, fans would be forgiven for thinking that the veteran is toward the end of his career in the cage. But according to Figueiredo, the end is not at all close.
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Deiveson Figueiredo puts himself above Alexandre Pantoja on the flyweight GOAT list 😳 Agree or disagree?
The UFC Macau headliner thinks he ranks third, behind only Demetrious Johnson in first and Henry Cejudo in second.
Deiveson Figueiredo wants to emulate Glover Teixeira’s UFC exit
Figueiredo has a chance to take Song’s No. 5 ranking at the Galaxy Arena on May 30, something that would advance his push for a first bantamweight title shot.
Not many are expecting ‘Deus da Guerra’ to make it all the way to the top in the strong division, especially when youth is on his rivals’ side.
But the Brazilian does not plan on making way for the bantamweight up-and-comers just yet.
In fact, he is planning another five years in the UFC, as he plans the kind of fairytale ending enjoyed by his fellow countryman, light heavyweight legend Glover Teixeira.
“Glover retired at 43 years old, still fighting for the belt and delivering great fights,” Figueiredo recently told Sherdog.
“I have him as a reference. I take good care of my body and eat well.
“I want to retire at 43 in the UFC,” he added.
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Teixeira submitted Jan Blachowicz to become champion at 205 pounds in 2021. In doing so, the Brazilian became the oldest first-time UFC titleholder in history.
Figueiredo faces an uphill battle to achieve similar late-career success given the division he is in.
While those in the heavier weight classes can often enjoy success into their early forties, the lighter rosters are almost always dominated by much younger athletes.
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