Deiveson Alcântara Figueiredo Bio
Deiveson Alcântara Figueiredo is a Brazilian professional mixed martial artist born on December 18, 1987. He currently competes in the Bantamweight division of the Ultimate Fighting Championship (UFC) and is a former two-time UFC Flyweight Champion. Figueiredo is widely regarded as one of the greatest Flyweights in MMA history, holding a record of 21 wins, 3 losses, and 1 draw in that division.
Early Life and Background
Figueiredo was born in Soure, Pará, Brazil, a small city located on the isle of Marajó. His father worked as a buffalo herder and practiced luta marajoara, a local folk wrestling style. Deiveson has a younger sister and a brother, Francisco, who is also a professional mixed martial artist signed with the UFC. Growing up, Figueiredo worked as a cowboy alongside his father until the age of thirteen. He began wrestling around the age of nine, following in his father’s footsteps, and later moved to Belém to attend high school where he started training in capoeira.
At sixteen, Figueiredo began training in mixed martial arts under the guidance of UFC Bantamweight Iuri “Marajó” Alcântara. Before turning professional, he worked various jobs including as a farmer, bricklayer, hairdresser, taxi driver, and sushi chef.
Path to MMA
Figueiredo made his professional MMA debut in February 2012, winning his first fight by submission in the first round. He initially competed in regional circuits in Pará and Maranhão, Brazil, gaining experience and building his record. In late 2014, he signed with Jungle Fight, a prominent Brazilian MMA promotion, where he secured notable victories including a second-round TKO and a submission win after a seventeen-month break from competition.
His early career was marked by steady progress and development, culminating in his entry into the UFC in 2017. His foundational training and early successes in Brazil set the stage for his rise in the international MMA scene.
Deiveson Alcântara Figueiredo Career
Early Career (2012–2016)
Figueiredo began his professional career with a string of wins in local Brazilian promotions, showcasing his grappling and striking abilities. His time in Jungle Fight was particularly significant, where he defeated tough opponents by both knockout and submission. These performances earned him recognition and paved the way for his UFC debut.
During this period, Figueiredo honed his skills in Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu, earning a black belt, and developed a well-rounded fighting style that combined striking power with submission expertise.
Ultimate Fighting Championship Breakthrough (2017–2023)
Deiveson Figueiredo made his UFC debut on June 3, 2017, at UFC 212, defeating Marco Beltran by technical knockout due to corner stoppage after the second round. He followed this with wins over Jarred Brooks, Joseph Morales, and John Moraga, establishing himself as a rising contender in the Flyweight division.
His first professional loss came in March 2019 against Jussier Formiga by unanimous decision. However, he rebounded with a unanimous decision win over Alexandre Pantoja, earning Fight of the Night honors. Figueiredo continued to impress with a submission victory over Tim Elliott in October 2019.
In February 2020, Figueiredo fought Joseph Benavidez for the vacant UFC Flyweight Championship but missed weight, making him ineligible to win the title. He won the fight by TKO. They rematched in July 2020, where Figueiredo won by technical submission to claim the Flyweight title, earning Performance of the Night honors.
Figueiredo successfully defended his title against Alex Perez with a first-round guillotine choke submission. He then faced Brandon Moreno in a series of highly competitive bouts, including a majority draw, a loss via submission, and a unanimous decision win to regain the Flyweight Championship. Their rivalry is considered one of the most exciting in UFC history.
In January 2023, Figueiredo lost the Flyweight title to Moreno via doctor stoppage due to eye swelling. He transitioned to the Bantamweight division later that year, winning his debut fight against Rob Font by unanimous decision and securing victories over former champions Cody Garbrandt and Marlon Vera.
Fight Ready Era (2021–Present)
Since 2021, Figueiredo has been training with Fight Ready, a prominent MMA team, after previously being part of Team Alpha Male and founding Team Figueiredo gym in Belém, Brazil. His move to Fight Ready coincided with his transition to the Bantamweight division, where he has continued to compete at a high level.
In 2024, he faced top contenders including Petr Yan and Cory Sandhagen, experiencing mixed results due to injuries and tough competition. He remains an active and formidable competitor in the UFC Bantamweight rankings.
Fighting Style and Strengths
Deiveson Figueiredo is known for his aggressive striking, powerful knockout ability, and high-level Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu skills. His black belt status enables him to secure submissions effectively, while his striking pressure overwhelms opponents. Figueiredo’s resilience and adaptability have been key to his success across two weight divisions.
Notable Events and Milestones
Figueiredo’s career highlights include becoming a two-time UFC Flyweight Champion and engaging in a celebrated rivalry with Brandon Moreno. He holds a professional record of 25 wins, 5 losses, and 1 draw, with victories by knockout, submission, and decision. His rapid turnaround title defenses and exciting fight performances have earned him multiple Fight of the Night and Performance of the Night awards.
Deiveson Alcântara Figueiredo Career Wins
Throughout his career, Deiveson Figueiredo has accumulated 25 professional wins across various MMA promotions, including the UFC. His victories span knockouts, submissions, and decisions, demonstrating his versatility and finishing ability.
Ultimate Fighting Championship Highlights
Figueiredo has secured numerous wins in the UFC, including capturing the Flyweight Championship twice. His first UFC win was a technical knockout over Marco Beltran in 2017. He has notable wins against top contenders such as Joseph Benavidez, Alex Perez, and Brandon Moreno. His most recent wins in the Bantamweight division include unanimous decision victories over Rob Font and Marlon Vera.
Other Wins and Performances
Before joining the UFC, Figueiredo achieved success in regional Brazilian promotions like Jungle Fight, where he earned wins by TKO and submission. These performances helped establish his reputation and readiness for the global stage.
Deiveson Alcântara Figueiredo Family
Family Background and Racing Lineage
Deiveson comes from a family with a strong connection to combat sports. His father practiced a traditional wrestling style, and his brother Francisco is also a professional mixed martial artist competing in the UFC. This familial environment contributed to Figueiredo’s early interest and development in martial arts.
Personal Life
Figueiredo has worked various jobs before his MMA career, including farming and taxi driving. He is a fan of Brazilian football clubs Botafogo and Paysandu. He founded his own gym, Team Figueiredo, in Belém, Brazil, before joining Fight Ready to advance his training.
2025 Season Performance
In 2025, Deiveson Figueiredo remained an active competitor in the UFC Bantamweight division. He faced Cory Sandhagen in May, losing by technical knockout due to a knee injury. Later in the year, he secured a split decision win over Montel Jackson, demonstrating resilience and competitiveness. Figueiredo is scheduled to face Umar Nurmagomedov in January 2026, indicating his ongoing pursuit of top rankings in the division.
Throughout the season, Figueiredo has shown determination to overcome injuries and maintain his status as a top contender. His partnership with Fight Ready continues to support his development and performance in the highly competitive Bantamweight class.