Deiveson Figueiredo is scheduled for an MRI scan upon returning to Brazil to determine the full extent of the knee injury he suffered during his main event bout against Cory Sandhagen at UFC Des Moines, which ended in a disappointing loss.
According to his manager, Alex Davis, on Sunday, the former two-time UFC flyweight champion is maintaining a positive attitude and is hopeful that the injury is not severe.
While definitive diagnosis is pending, early indications suggest it could potentially be a knee strain, which would be a significantly better outcome than a tear that might necessitate surgery.
The injury occurred during the second round as the bantamweight fighters grappled on the canvas. When Sandhagen postured up, it caused a twisting force on Figueiredo’s knee, leading him to immediately tap out due to significant pain. Sandhagen later explained that this is a position he frequently drills with his grappling coach Ryan Hall, noting that knee injuries are not uncommon in such scenarios.
This appears to be precisely what happened to Figueiredo. He required assistance to exit the octagon and received immediate medical attention backstage.
Shortly after the fight concluded, Figueiredo shared a brief message on social media regarding the result.
Through a translated Instagram post, Figueiredo wrote, “The result is not always what we want, but the fight goes on. Thank you from the heart to God, my family, my team and all of you who cheer, support and believe in me.”
He added, “We will come back stronger. I’m a warrior and this is just another chapter of my story!”
This defeat represents Figueiredo`s second consecutive loss, following his decision loss to former champion Petr Yan in a competitive five-round fight last November.
Prior to these recent setbacks, Figueiredo had been on an impressive run in the bantamweight division, securing three straight victories, including wins over former champion Cody Garbrandt and one-time title challenger Marlon Vera.
With his return home to Brazil, Figueiredo is expected to meet with his doctor in the coming days to undergo the MRI, which will provide a clear picture of any damage to his leg.
Marcus Blakely