Esther Lin, MMA Fighting In 2018, the UFC flyweight division was in dire straits. Though they had a long-time, dominant champion in Demetrious Johnson, the division still had not gained traction with the fans and there was open consideration of folding up the division. But after Henry Cejudo won the flyweight title from Johnson, he and other flyweights campaigned to save the division and ultimately, the UFC acquiesced. Shortly afterwards, Cejudo also won the bantamweight title and then chose to vacate his 125 belt, and since then the division was once again in a state of limbo.
All that changed this year though when Deiveson Figueiredo claimed the vacant title with a dominant performance over Joseph Benavidez in July and, earlier this month, defended it for the first time with a two-minute submission victory over Alex Perez at UFC 255. With his spectacular performances thus far this year, Figueiredo has pundits believing he might finally be the guy to make the flyweight division popular and even the former champion has to admit, Figueiredo has been great in 2020.
Speaking with The Schmo over the weekend, Henry Cejudo, who retired from the sport this past summer, reacted to Figueiredo’s recent title defense and, in his own fashion, allowed that the new champion is doing a good job so far.
“The only reason why Deiveson Figueiredo’s there is because of me,” Cejudo said. “To me, he’s the lord of nothing. I’m the one that gave him that position. I’m allowing him to babysit my belt and he’s being a pretty good babysitter in my eyes.”
That he is. Figueiredo is the likely frontrunner for Fighter of the Year for 2020 at this point, and his year isn’t over just yet. Following his quick victory at UFC 255, Figueiredo was rebooked for another title defense at UFC 256 against top-ranked contender Brandon Moreno. It will be the fastest turn around for a champion in UFC history and a win would all but guarantee him the Fighter of the Year title. But Cejudo says we shouldn’t be counting those chickens just yet.
“I’m still a fan of the sport. I enjoy watching these guys but I think more than anything, I’m actually a critic,” Cejudo said of his retirement. “Every time I watch the fights I just look at things the fighters are doing wrong and when I see that, even with Deiveson, this is why I think he’s gonna have a hard time and may potentially even lose to Brandon Moreno. All you have to do with a guy like Deiveson Figueiredo is make him grapple for that first round because he’s cutting a lot of weight. By the time that second, third round hits he’s gonna start having that heavy muscle. So I’m actually gonna pick Brandon Moreno - which, he sucks too - but I’m gonna pick him to beat Deiveson Figueiredo.”
Factoring into his decision could be that Cejudo and Moreno have a history of training together, however, Cejudo really puts his confidence into Moreno down to Figueiredo’s history of struggling with weight cuts and the short turnaround time for the champion.
“It’s because he cuts a lot of weight and he’s gonna feel that,” Cejudo explained. “Remember, it’s not so much the weight, it’s the fatigue that comes in with losing that weight and I still think he’s a little old school with how he does it. So if I was Brandon, I would capitalize on that. We’re gonna have a new flyweight champion. I do believe that Brandon is gonna beat him. Plus, he used to train with me too, but he knows who the boss is.”
Figueiredo defends his title against Moreno in the main even of UFC 256 on Dec. 12.

TOP STORIES

Results. Anthony Smith taps Devin Clark with triangle choke in first round of UFC Vegas 15.
Boxing. Mike Tyson vs. Roy Jones Jr. ends in a draw after entertaining eight-round exhibition.
$Zillion. Dana White reacts to Mike Tyson vs. Roy Jones Jr.: ‘I hope they both made a zillion f*cking dollars’.
The Spider. Roy Jones Jr. believes long-awaited boxing match against Anderson Silva will finally happen.
Competition. Mike Tyson: Boxing owes fighters like Jake Paul for bringing back interest, ‘UFC was kicking our butts’.
Fight. Anthony Smith welcomes Paul Craig matchup after forgetting ‘what it feels like to win’.

VIDEO STEW

Tyson-RJJ Post Fight Show.


UFC Vegas 15 post-fight presser.


Moreno was already enjoying Shake Shack when the UFC dropped the title fight on him.


Wonderboy Fight Camp.


Fight Circus Vol 2: Circus Harder is up for your viewing pleasure.



LISTEN UP

On to the Next One. Matches to make after UFC Vegas 15.
Severe MMA. Discussing UFC Vegas 15, Tyson vs. Jones, and the UFC COVID protocols.

SOCIAL MEDIA BOUILLABAISSE

Make it happen.
Great triangle victory @lionheartasmith fancy a trip to #fightisland @danawhite @Mickmaynard2 @CoatbridgeMMA https://t.co/QVM3XkjSkz
— Paul Craig (@PCraigmma) November 29, 2020
Another option.
Smith vs Crute 5 rounds in February. Who wants to see that? Also congrats to @lionheartasmith great performance
— Jimmy Crute (@CruteJim) November 29, 2020
Call out accepted, though not sure that timeline works considering Algeo just fought.
LOL! This is funny.
You are like a lil kid screaming for attention.
Yes lil boy! @billalgeo #UFCVegas15
Call me punk?! Who you think you are
I am open for December 19! #gigakick @ufc @danawhite @AliAbdelaziz00
— GIGA CHIKADZE (@giga_chikadze) November 29, 2020
Jack Hermansson’s live reaction to the Kevin Holland news.
Robinson’s reaction.
Guess we know what’s next.
you just fought a retired nba reject be careful what you wish for little guy @jakepaul
— Dillon Danis (@dillondanis) November 29, 2020
That’s not how this works.
If you've never stepped inside a cage/ring, you don't get to make fun of someone who got in there no matter the outcome.
— Megan Anderson (@MeganA_mma) November 29, 2020
Chael beefing with Vitor.
Hey
Somebody translated this for me
Congratulations!
Now you're
STUPID
in
TWO
LANGUAGES! https://t.co/1OFg5DyGHw
— Chael Sonnen (@ChaelSonnen) November 30, 2020
Have somebody translate

"MISTER SONNEN"
for you, and learn how to address me if you are
BEGGING
ME
for a
FIGHT https://t.co/1OFg5DyGHw
— Chael Sonnen (@ChaelSonnen) November 30, 2020
One of my sponsors wants to know what
BRA SIZE
you are now that you're 55 years old https://t.co/1OFg5DyGHw
— Chael Sonnen (@ChaelSonnen) November 30, 2020
So he can send you some samples and bring some
DIGNITY
to your
BINGO
LADY
PHYSIQUE https://t.co/1OFg5DyGHw
— Chael Sonnen (@ChaelSonnen) November 30, 2020
Instead of babbling about

"Kick You Ass"
"Shut You Mouth"

Try...

USE
YOU
BRAIN https://t.co/1OFg5DyGHw
— Chael Sonnen (@ChaelSonnen) November 30, 2020
Maybe you forgot the last time I saw you in NY?

I sold you the Brooklyn Bridge and a Time-Share on the Moon?

Guy

YOU
NO
GOOD
THINKER https://t.co/1OFg5DyGHw
— Chael Sonnen (@ChaelSonnen) November 30, 2020
Here's a little training exercise if you want to fight me

-Find mirror
-Look into it
-Point at the stupid old dude w/the 52FFF bust
-Say the word "STUPID" 100 times

Keep doing this til you convince yourself that

SUICIDE
BY
SONNEN

is a
BAAAD IDEA https://t.co/1OFg5DyGHw
— Chael Sonnen (@ChaelSonnen) November 30, 2020
Diego planning on hanging it up.
Sport of kings.
Wasn't sure about posting this, but decided I'd be failing you all if I didn't

Darina Madzyuk (139lb) vs. Grigory Chistyakov (529lb)

From a recent event called "OUR BUSINESS" (???? ????) in Russia. I don't know what to say. God have mercy on us all. https://t.co/rphOHnmbto pic.twitter.com/kwdNMT61JH
— caposa (@Grabaka_Hitman) November 28, 2020

FIGHT ANNOUNCEMENTS

Jack Hermansson (21-5) vs. Marvin Vettori (15-3-1); UFC Fight Night, Dec. 5.
Ronaldo Souza (26-8) vs. Kevin Holland (20-5); UFC 256, Dec. 12.
Shane Burgos (13-2) vs. Hakeem Dawodu (12-1-1); UFC 257, Jan. 23.
Beneil Dariush (19-4-1) vs. Diego Ferreira (17-2); UFC Fight Night, Feb. 6.


Clay Guida (35-20) vs. Michael Johnson (19-16); UFC Fight Night, Feb. 6.
Randy Costa (6-1) vs. Trevin Jones (12-6); UFC 259, Mar. 6.

FINAL THOUGHTS

Thanks for reading and see y’all on Tuesday.

If you find something you’d like to see in the Morning Report, hit up @JedKMeshew on Twitter and let him know about it. Also follow MMAFighting on Instagram and like us on Facebook.


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