Jussier Formiga unfazed by Deiveson Figueiredo’s win streak: ‘He didn’t face really tough guys’

Bloodyelbow.com

UFC flyweight contender Jussier Formiga can’t say he’s too impressed by his next opponent’s feats.

Scheduled to take on undefeated Deiveson Figueiredo at UFC Nashville, the 33-year-old told Combate that Figueiredo hasn’t really faced the best competition the weight class has to offer just yet.

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In fact, Formiga revealed he was actually expecting the result of Henry Cejudo’s fight against T.J. Dillashaw before he made decision on what fight to take next, but decided not to wait for too long and took the offer to fight Deiveson, which Jussier believes to be a good match-up for himself.

“The proposal was to fight Cejudo,” Formiga said. “We didn’t know if he was going to beat Dillashaw or not, so we had to wait for that. I saw that Deiveson was expected to fight Benavidez, but it fell through and Benavidez ended up fighting Ortiz. On the week of Cejudo’s fight, I was offered to fight Deiveson and accepted. I couldn’t to see what would happen in Cejudo’s fight and I think it’s a good match for me.”

Although Figueiredo is undefeated and holds a 15-0 record with four Octagon wins, including one over former title challenger John Moraga, Formiga feels like Deiveson has yet to fight the most dangerous flyweights in the UFC. In Jussier’s opinion, he is faster on his feet and is still uncertain about his opponent’s ground game.

“Deiveson is really good,” Formiga said. “He’s 15-0, 4-0 in the UFC, but he didn’t face really tough guys yet. His last fight was against Moraga, who is in the top 10, but I don’t consider to be that tough of a fighter, no disrespect.” Formiga said. “I watched two of Daico’s fights, one against Moraga, another against some American (Jarred Brooks). I actually think the decision was strange. I’m quicker on my feet, He’s a striker, has good hands, but I can move better. He’s a jiu-jitsu blackbelt, but I haven’t really seen his ground game. Anything can happen. We can strike, we can go to the ground. I’ll train everything so I can get a win.”

Jussier Formiga is expected to take on Deiveson Figueiredo at UFC Fight Night 148, in Nashville, Tennessee, on March 23. The card will be headlined by welterweight bout between Stephen Thompson and Anthony Pettis.