The win would’ve made Figueiredo the UFC Flyweight Champion, but the fighter missed weight for the event, which doesn’t seem to bother him too much.
“I’m not sad at all,” Figueiredo told MMA Junkie. “I’m very happy. I told you before in the pre-fight interview I was going to knock him out in the second round – and I did. I owe this for the people watching TV. I owe this for the people coming to the arena. Because I didn’t make the weight, I had to compromise and give a big statement for the people.”
Benavidez was the only fighter eligible to become the UFC Flyweight Champion at the event, but he is now 0-3-0 when challenging for that title.
Figueiredo may not be the UFC Flyweight Champion right now, but the fighter says otherwise about his status as champion.
“It doesn’t matter,” Figueiredo said. “Whoever the UFC puts me to fight, I’m going to fight. I just won my belt. The belt is mine. I just don’t hold it. I proved that.”
There is no word yet on what’s next for the UFC Flyweight Title, which is still vacant after UFC Fight Night Norfolk.
