The Post-UFC 270 Adventures of Deiveson Figueiredo: New Tattoo, Police Raid, Home Parade

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Two-time Ultimate Fighting Championship flyweight champ Deiveson Figueiredo has embraced the whirlwind since winning his belt back less than a week ago.

After four months of hard training at Fight Ready in Arizona, and five rounds of bonus-winning action with Brandon Moreno, Figueiredo could not rest until arriving in Brazil on Thursday. After coming out on top at UFC 270, his team wanted nothing more than to celebrate all through the night. Any hopes of relaxation were out the window for the Brazilian, who found himself surprised by his teammates. Figueiredo spoke to Sherdog after his fight, primed and ready to speak highly of his training partners.

“The climate was so unique,” Figueiredo admitted. “My teammates worked so hard with me for the last four months. Each one of them owns this belt with me. With all the adrenaline and happiness of this moment, it was almost impossible to rest.”

After leaving California, the Brazilian stopped off at Arizona before taking his trip much further south. He was not ready for what was in store for him when he got there.

“They had a surprise party for me,” he revealed. “But in the middle of the party, police officers jumped on the backyard of the house. Once it was very cold, I was leaning close to the fireplace warming myself and didn’t see the cops entering. The people who made the party explained to the cops they were doing it to celebrate the new UFC champion.”

Figueiredo continued incredulously, “Initially the cops didn’t believe [me], then they asked [me] to go there with the belt.”

Based on what he had seen in the movies, Figueiredo feared that he might get deported should things go sideways.

“Man I was really scared, American cops are always very tough and angry,” Figueiredo noted. “When I faced the officers, I started to apologize, saying that I was from Brazil and I was leaving on Wednesday. Then the guests started laughing, as well as the police officers. Thank God everything finished well, and the cops left [a little while later].”

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A post shared by Deiveson Figueiredo (@daico_deusdaguerra)

Before returning to Brazil, “Deus da Guerra“ decided to get a tattoo on his right forearm with the UFC belt. He had it marked with two red stones, signifying his defenses against Alex Perez and his first encounter with Moreno.

“I need to eternalize it in my body,” the champ explained, “at least on my body. Actually, I was sure that after I lost the belt to Moreno, UFC would give me a new one if I won the [rematch], but they told me they will make just one replica, arguing I already have one at home.”

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A post shared by Deiveson Figueiredo (@daico_deusdaguerra)

Thursday arrived, and the man known as “Daico” had finally reached his home city of Belem. Even so, he could not take a breath yet, as the newly minted champion found a legion of fans at the airport to welcome him back. They had thrown him a parade, and sat him in a fire truck to drive him through the city.

“The reception was just as unforgettable as the previous ones in [the U.S.],” celebrated Figueiredo.

Figueiredo did not need long to change his focus from former trilogy partner Brandon Moreno to future title defenses. The flyweight champion knows there is a willing list of challengers waiting for him, and he is ready to take on all comers.

“Moreno, [Kai] Kara France, [Askar] Askarov or [Alexandre] Pantoja, whoever sells more will be the next one,” a mindful Figueiredo stated. “The only thing I know for sure is that I’ll return to Fight Ready to make my camp there.”

When he returns to Fight Ready to start training for his next opponent, he hopes to do with a friendly face by his side. An invitation had been extended to ex-training partner and UFC welterweight Michel Pereira, and Figueiredo is hopeful that Pereira joins them soon.

“I’ve been through this trying to assemble a team and try to train,” Figueiredo said. “That does not exist. I told him, ‘if you are a professional you have to look for a big team, a team where you follow orders, only then will you boost your career.’ And he promised me that sooner or later he will join us there.”