UFC Norfolk: Deiveson Figueiredo’s Manager Says “Stuff Happens”, While Explaining Why Contender Missed Weight For Title Fight

Deiveson Figueiredo is taking some verbal shots online after missing weight for what was his chance to win the UFC’s flyweight title. But, since the powerful contender came in heavy for his bout with Joseph Benavidez, Figueiredo’s manager has shared out an explanation.

Figueiredo’s manager releases a statement

The Brazilian fighter was tapped to face Benavidez for the 125 title at UFC Norfolk on Saturday, after going 6-1 to date in the Octagon. The title is being vacated by bantamweight champ, Henry Cejudo.

But, on Friday, Figueiredo came in at 127.5 for the fight, and as a result, he cannot win the flyweight belt. After the news blazed across the MMA world, his manager, Wallid Ismail, told BJ Penn.com the following:

“Stuff happens. He described to his doctor what he was feeling and his doctor told him to be careful and not cut any more weight. He felt a bad cramp and was nauseous. It was that. His doctor advised him to stop the weight cut,” Ismail said. “Now, he knows he needs to give the fans a great show for this fight. He promised the fans a big fight and this is what he is going to do tomorrow. There will be blood and it still will be a war. He wants to say thank you to Benavidez for still taking the fight and sorry to the fans and to the UFC for missing weight. It was a medical issue. He’s never missed weight in his entire career before this and he apologizes.”

So, will this statement stop some people from blasting Figueiredo for missing weight? Probably. But, it’s pretty certain not all his detractors will be silenced.

The question some people are now asking: if Figueiredo does beat Benavidez, and no flyweight champ is crowned, could this be it for the division? Since the UFC seemed to be on the verge of punting it before? Here’s hoping the answer is no.

Benavidez comments on the situation

And what was Benavidez’s take on his opponent missing weight? For a title fight? Here’s some of what the perennial contender had to say about Figueiredo (quotes via MMA Junkie):

“You have to lose respect for somebody in that regard,” Benavidez said. “They have the biggest opportunity of their life there and they squander it like that. … It’s just more conviction that he wasn’t going to ever win the belt, anyway. Obviously, I was the only one who was going to win it. I’m the only one who came to win it. It doesn’t change what I’m going to do. He tried to get out of the first fight he did when it got moved a week up. He had a weight issue. This fight, he’s trying to get out with this.

“It’s like, ‘You’re not going to stop me from what I came to do.’ That was never a question. Of course you lose respect for the guy. That goes into just more the conviction of, ‘I did everything I was supposed to do.’ I was ready for this. I’m the only one who came to win this belt. I was the only one from the beginning that was going to win it. Like I said, it’s just more conviction in the things we already believed in.”

It’s going to be really interesting to see what unfolds in the bout. Can Benavidez finally secure UFC gold?