Recent RotoWire Articles Featuring Deiveson Figueiredo
Chris Olson is back for the second fight in a week's time to break down another Fight Island event, this time featuring a title fight. See who his best captain picks are, plus analysis on the rest of the card.
Jon Litterine is back to break down UFC Fight Island 2, and he likes Kelvin Gastelum in what projects to be a tremendously close fight. Check out the rest of his DraftKings picks.
We've got a quick turnaround for the second Fight Island event, with Calvin Kattar and Dan Ige set to headline the rare Wednesday fight card. Jon Litterine breaks it down on DraftKings.
While Tyron Woodley may be too much of a counter striker to merit a captain spot, Chris Olson still likes him as a cash-game option on FanDuel. Check out his picks for UFC Apex on Saturday in Las Vegas.
With the UFC calendar set to resume in just a few weeks, it's a good reset point for ranking UFC fighters in a dynasty format. Jake Letarski uses data from a similar league to generate tier-based rankings.
More Fantasy News
New UFC Flyweight Champion
Figueiredo became the new UFC Flyweight Champion on Saturday, defeating Joseph Benavidez via submission (Rear-Naked Choke) at 4:48 of Round 1 at UFC Fight Night in Abu Dhabi.
ANALYSIS
There is now zero doubt regarding who the best flyweight on the UFC roster is. Figueiredo was as dominant as ever. He dropped Benavidez with a massive power shot (the first of two knockdowns) in the early going before clamping on repeated, tight rear-naked chokes. Joe B somehow survived the first two and actually worked his way back to the feet at one point, but the Brazilian never let up and continued to pour on the pressure. It was a brilliant all-around effort by one of the most underrated fighters in the game today. Maybe former champion Henry Cejudo gets a monetary offer he cannot refuse and comes back at some point, but until then, Figueiredo is going to be a significant favorite over any flyweight currently on the UFC roster. He possesses a scary combination of speed, power, and grappling. Figueiredo is absolutely the real deal and now has the gold to prove it. To make the night even better, he'll walk away with a $50,000 Performance of the Night bonus.
There is now zero doubt regarding who the best flyweight on the UFC roster is. Figueiredo was as dominant as ever. He dropped Benavidez with a massive power shot (the first of two knockdowns) in the early going before clamping on repeated, tight rear-naked chokes. Joe B somehow survived the first two and actually worked his way back to the feet at one point, but the Brazilian never let up and continued to pour on the pressure. It was a brilliant all-around effort by one of the most underrated fighters in the game today. Maybe former champion Henry Cejudo gets a monetary offer he cannot refuse and comes back at some point, but until then, Figueiredo is going to be a significant favorite over any flyweight currently on the UFC roster. He possesses a scary combination of speed, power, and grappling. Figueiredo is absolutely the real deal and now has the gold to prove it. To make the night even better, he'll walk away with a $50,000 Performance of the Night bonus.
On weight for title fight
Figueiredo weighed in at 125 pounds for his matchup against Joseph Benavidez for the UFC Flyweight Championship at UFC Fight Island 2 on Saturday.
ANALYSIS
There were quite a few obstacles lined up against Figueiredo heading into this fight, as rumors of a positive COVID-19 test started surfacing last weekend. Those reports turned out to be a result of a false positive two months ago and ultimately did not stop him from getting to Fight Island. The scales were his next task to overcome, as he missed weight for the originally scheduled matchup Feb. 29, preventing Figueiredo from getting the title despite picking up the second-round victory. Figueiredo had been outlanded 25-to-46 in that matchup prior to the stoppage, but the difference in power here was evident. As such, he'll be approximately a (-220) betting favorite heading into Saturday's five-round title fight.
There were quite a few obstacles lined up against Figueiredo heading into this fight, as rumors of a positive COVID-19 test started surfacing last weekend. Those reports turned out to be a result of a false positive two months ago and ultimately did not stop him from getting to Fight Island. The scales were his next task to overcome, as he missed weight for the originally scheduled matchup Feb. 29, preventing Figueiredo from getting the title despite picking up the second-round victory. Figueiredo had been outlanded 25-to-46 in that matchup prior to the stoppage, but the difference in power here was evident. As such, he'll be approximately a (-220) betting favorite heading into Saturday's five-round title fight.
Traveling to Fight Island
Figueiredo was cleared to travel to Abu Dhabi on Sunday ahead of his flyweight title fight July 18 against Joseph Benavidez, Damon Martin of MMAFighting.com reports.
ANALYSIS
Earlier this week it was reported that Figueiredo had tested positive for COVID-19, however, his team later revealed that the fighter tested positive two months earlier and claimed that it was a false positive. The Brazilian passed a test Sunday, clearing him to travel, but Figueiredo will still be required to pass multiple tests before he's allowed to fight. Alexandre Pantoja is expected to replace him in the bout against Benavidez if he is unable to participate.
Earlier this week it was reported that Figueiredo had tested positive for COVID-19, however, his team later revealed that the fighter tested positive two months earlier and claimed that it was a false positive. The Brazilian passed a test Sunday, clearing him to travel, but Figueiredo will still be required to pass multiple tests before he's allowed to fight. Alexandre Pantoja is expected to replace him in the bout against Benavidez if he is unable to participate.
Bout in jeopardy
Figueiredo has tested positive for COVID-19 and his fight against Joseph Benavidez for the vacant flyweight title on July 18 is now up in the air, MMAJunkie.USAToday.com reports.
ANALYSIS
Figueiredo originally tested positive for COVID two months ago and his team is hopeful that this test was simply a false positive. He plans on being retested again on Saturday. Should the results come back negative, he would fly to Abu Dhabi as planned, but if it remains positive he will head back to the Middle East. Alexandre Pantoja is expected to replace him in the bout against Benavidez if he is unable to participate.
Figueiredo originally tested positive for COVID two months ago and his team is hopeful that this test was simply a false positive. He plans on being retested again on Saturday. Should the results come back negative, he would fly to Abu Dhabi as planned, but if it remains positive he will head back to the Middle East. Alexandre Pantoja is expected to replace him in the bout against Benavidez if he is unable to participate.
Gets another shot at flyweight gold
Figueiredo is expected to rematch Joseph Benavidez for the vacant UFC Flyweight title at a yet-to-be-determined location July 18, MMAFighting.com reports.
ANALYSIS
Figueiredo snared a knockout victory over Benavidez the first time around, but he was ineligible to claim the belt after he missed weight by 2.5 pounds. An accidental headbutt that left a gash over Benavidez's left eye seconds before the knockout also played into the unusual circumstances that will give the pair another chance to duke it out for the title. Figueiredo claims a three-inch reach advantage and a one-inch height advantage and seems likely to be the favorite to lay claim to the belt if he can hit weight this time around. This is reflected in the betting odds, as Figueiredo closed as a (+120) underdog for the first matchup, but he opened as roughly a (-150) betting favorite shortly after the announcement.
Figueiredo snared a knockout victory over Benavidez the first time around, but he was ineligible to claim the belt after he missed weight by 2.5 pounds. An accidental headbutt that left a gash over Benavidez's left eye seconds before the knockout also played into the unusual circumstances that will give the pair another chance to duke it out for the title. Figueiredo claims a three-inch reach advantage and a one-inch height advantage and seems likely to be the favorite to lay claim to the belt if he can hit weight this time around. This is reflected in the betting odds, as Figueiredo closed as a (+120) underdog for the first matchup, but he opened as roughly a (-150) betting favorite shortly after the announcement.