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Deiveson Figueiredo saw his tetralogy with Brandon Moreno come to an end at UFC 283 this past January. The former UFC flyweight champion lost to the ‘Assassin Baby’ via third-round TKO after suffering an eye injury. ‘Deus Da Guerra’ had successful surgery and slowly started to train again ahead of his return that was scheduled against Manel Kape at UFC 290 in July.
That fight is no longer happening. Carlos Antunes of Canal Encarda reported that Figueiredo was forced to withdraw against Kape because he was not yet medically cleared to return after eye surgery. The Brazilian followed up with Guilherme Cruz of MMA Fighting, confirming that the eye injury suffered in his most recent fight was still causing issues.
“I’m still injured,” said Figueiredo during an appearance on Trocação Franca. “I asked for a fight, told my manager I wanted to fight already, but when he gave me the fight and I talked to my physical therapist and my ophthalmologist, [they said] my eyesight is still not 100 percent. There are days I see things normal, but there are days it’s not OK, especially the days after I train, so they decided I had to go the full six-month [medical suspension] the ophthalmologist gave me [after UFC 283].”
Deiveson Figueiredo wants top-five name in return
Since he expects to wait a little longer to return, Figueiredo hopes the UFC can find him a top-five flyweight for his next fighter. As the No. 1 flyweight, he thought it was odd to get paired up with Kape, who sits at No. 9 in the official rankings.
If it were up to him, Figueiredo would choose one of two names that are ranked No. 3 and No. 4, respectively.
“Kai Kara-France is someone I want to fight but unfortunately he has a fight booked now [against Amir Albazi at UFC on ESPN 45],” said Figueiredo. “And there’s also the guy [Brandon Royval] that knocked out Matheus Nicolau, another great guy to fight me. I hope the UFC gives me one of those guys to fight me. I think I deserve it. I’m not asking for a title shot, I’m asking for someone in the top five.”
Manel Kape slams Deiveson Figueiredo for withdrawing
Kape wasted no time going after Figueiredo for withdrawing from their fight. ’Starboy’ slammed the former UFC champion for ‘running’ from him.
“This clown [Deiveson Figueiredo] gave an interview saying that he was ready to fight in July,” tweeted Kape. “He signs the contract and then talks to the doctor asking if he can fight? He should talk to the doctor first and then sign. [Rogerio] Bontorin, Alex Perez, now this fake champion pull out?
“The truth is that he’s fat, weak and old,” continued Kape. “He started training and felt it’s not the same, so he ran from the fight. [UFC president Dana White], [UFC matchmaker Mick Maynard], [Dominance MMA CEO Ali Abdelaziz] please do something, I can’t stand these losers anymore.
This is not the fight time Kape has slammed an opponent for withdrawing from a fight. Despite suffering a seizure at UFC San Antonio, Alex Perez was not spared from the wrath of Kape, who said Perez was a ‘coward’ and his DNA was ‘an abomination’.
Since joining the UFC, Kape has had to deal with six fight cancelations, including this one against Figueiredo. There is no word yet on whether Figueiredo vs. Kape gets rescheduled.
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