Figueiredo asks for Moreno trilogy, open to switching divisions
Deiveson Figueiredo prefers an immediate rematch with Brandon Moreno for UFC flyweight gold but is open to moving up to the bantamweight division.
"I think about moving up, but in order to make that decision, I have to go back home and sit down with my team and talk about it and make the best decision," Figueiredo told MMA Fighting's Guilherme Cruz. "I have to go back home and talk to my team. (But) let's see if this trilogy happens, right, man? I asked for the rematch with him."
Figueiredo lost the flyweight title to Moreno at UFC 263 Saturday, tapping out to a rear-naked choke in the third round. The two combatants fought to a majority draw at UFC 256 in December 2020 - Figueiredo was docked a point in that match for a groin strike.
The Brazilian endured a challenging weight cut before losing the second duel with Moreno and has often struggled to make 125 pounds throughout his UFC career.
"I always have a problem making weight, brother, and it happened the same thing this time," he said. "I almost didn't make weight, it was quite complicated, it really was. Maybe that was it, it made me slow, but I felt I was doing well in the fight. I just couldn't find myself, and when I was about to, he took my back and submitted me, something I didn't expect."
Figueiredo captured the flyweight championship against Joseph Benavidez in July 2020. The 33-year-old beat Benavidez several months earlier but wasn't awarded the title because he missed weight.
The former champion said he'll train twice as hard and examine diet changes that could help him make weight easier if the UFC grants him the trilogy bout with Moreno.
Moreno and Jussier Formiga are the only fighters who have put a dent in Figueiredo's 20-2-1 record.