Once on the brink of financial hardship, Brazilian mixed martial artist Deiveson Figueiredo has experienced a remarkable turnaround in his fortunes. To make ends meet, he dabbled in various occupations, but his life took a dramatic turn when he embraced mixed martial arts. His fortunes soared even further in 2017 when he joined the Ultimate Fighting Championship.
Competing in the promotion’s flyweight division, Figueiredo ascended to the pinnacle of his career, capturing the title twice. However, his reign was abruptly halted in January 2023 when he succumbed to Brandon Moreno.
Undeterred by this setback, Figueiredo, currently ranked second in the UFC’s flyweight division, is embarking on a new chapter, transitioning to the bantamweight division. He is married to his wife, Bruna Moraes, and they have a son, Benicio.
Check Out These 10 Incredible Facts No One Told You About The Brazilian MMA Fighter
1. He Hails From Soure, Pará, In Brazil
Born in Soure, Pará, Brazil, on December 18, 1987, Deiveson Figueiredo is currently 37 years old.
Hailing from a humble background, his father worked as a buffalo herder, but information about his mother remains undisclosed. He has two younger siblings: a sister, whose name remains unknown, and a brother, Francisco Figueiredo, who also pursues mixed martial arts professionally.
2. Figueiredo Grew Up Working On The Farm With His Father
Growing up in his hometown of Soure, he shared his childhood with his younger siblings. Due to financial constraints, he joined his father, a buffalo herder, in working at an animal farm. He continued working there until he turned 13 in 2000.
3. While Attending High School, He Started Training In Capoeira
Driven by a passion for combat sports, particularly the Brazilian martial art of capoeira, he embarked on his training journey while attending high school in Belém, the capital city of Pará State. There, he began training with UFC fighters Iuri ‘Marajó’ Alcântara and Michel ‘Trator’ Prazeres in 2003, at the age of 16.
4. He Struggled To Feed And Had To Do Several Jobs To Make Ends Meet
Life was tough for Figueiredo as he trained with the UFC fighters. He faced the constant challenge of paying rent and buying food. Sometimes, he had to rely on the kindness of Prazeres’ mother, who offered him meals. He recalled that the hardest times were at the end of the month when he had to choose between keeping a roof over his head or filling his stomach.
To survive, he juggled several jobs to earn some extra cash. He guarded a hair salon, styled some hair, sliced some sushi, laid some bricks, and rode a motorcycle taxi. He did whatever he could to not go hungry.
5. Deiveson Figueiredo Made His MMA Debut At 24
He was only 24 when he stepped into the cage for his first professional MMA fight in Belém, Brazil. His opponent, Alusion Ferreira, had no chance against him, and he was forced to tap out in the first round, giving Figueiredo his first victory. That was in February 2012.
For the next 4 or 5 years, he dominated the MMA scene in Brazil, winning more than 10 fights without a single loss. He faced and defeated many tough fighters, such as David Raimiundo Silva, Edvaldo Junior, Joel Silva, Joa Neto Silva, Antonio de Miranda, and Ricardo do Socorro. He was simply unstoppable.
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6. He Joined The UFC In 2017
With the nickname ‘Deus de Guerra’, meaning God of War, he joined the Ultimate Fighting Championship. He made his promotional debut in June 2017, when he knocked out Marco Beltran in the second round in Salvaterra, Brazil.
He continued his impressive streak with three more victories against Jarred Brooks, Joseph Morales, and John Moraga, earning himself a reputation as a rising star. However, his unbeaten run came to an end in 2019, when he faced Jussier Formiga, who handed him his first loss in both the UFC and his professional career, which started in 2012, as established.
7. Deus de Guerra Fought Joseph Benavidez Twice To Win The UFC Flyweight Championship Belt In 2020
The year 2020 was unforgettable for Deiveson, who became the UFC flyweight champion after a long and arduous journey. He had to face the same rival, Joseph Benavidez, twice to secure the vacant belt, as he failed to make weight in their first encounter.
On February 29, 2020, he defeated Benavidez by TKO in the second round, but he was ineligible to claim the title because he weighed in at 127.5 pounds, which is 2.5 pounds over the limit for the title fight. He got another chance on July 19, 2020, when he faced Benavidez again for the vacant belt, and this time he made no mistake. He submitted his opponent in the first round with a rear-naked choke and finally became the UFC flyweight champion.
He defended his title successfully against Alex Perez on November 21, 2020, with a guillotine choke in the first round. He also retained his title in a thrilling draw with Brandon Moreno the following month, in what was considered one of the best fights of the year. He proved himself to be a dominant force in the division.
8. He Lost The UFC Flyweight Belt, Reclaimed It, And Lost It Again To Brandon Moreno
As mentioned, he retained the UFC flyweight belt after a spectacular fight with Brandon Moreno in December 2020, but that was just the beginning of their epic rivalry. He would face the Mexican three more times from 2021 to 2023, trading wins and losses in a thrilling saga.
In June 2021, he lost his title to Moreno in a rematch, as he was choked out in the third round. In December 2021, he avenged his loss and reclaimed his title, in a back-and-forth battle that earned him the Fight of the Night award.
The third and final fight took place in January 2023, and it was the end of his reign. He was knocked out by the Mexican in the second round, and he lost the title.
As it stands, Moreno remains his greatest rival in the UFC’s flyweight division. At the moment, he is transitioning to the bantamweight division as he faces Rob Font on December 2, 2023.
9. The Soure Native Shares A Son With His Wife, Bruna Moraes
Deiveson Figueiredo is married to Bruna Moraes. At the moment, there is no information indicating when the wedding took place or how long they dated before getting married. Nonetheless, several sources revealed that the couple had been together for a long time before the marriage.
In January 2019, they welcomed their son, Benicio, who is now 6 years old. He is their only child together, but Moraes also has a daughter from a previous relationship, whose name is not revealed.
10. His Net Worth Is Currently Estimated To Be Around $2 Million
Deiveson Figueiredo has a net worth of $2 million, according to various sources. He earned most of his wealth from his professional MMA career, which began in Brazil more than 10 years ago, but he also made more money when he joined the UFC in 2017.
He also has other sources of income, such as sponsorships and endorsements. He currently has endorsements with several brands, such as Life Strong Energy Drink, Prime Esportes Tatames, Blaze.com, and GAV Resorts.
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