Deiveson Figueiredo Withdraws from UFC 290 Due to Eye Injuries

ParallelDesk 12:31:52 PM, 27 April 2023

The world of Mixed Martial Arts (MMA) has been shocked by the news that Deiveson Figueiredo, former UFC flyweight champion, will not be eligible to fight on the UFC 290 fight card scheduled for July 8, 2023, at the T-Mobile Arena in Las Vegas, USA. News reports have confirmed that doctors have determined that Figueiredo will be unable to participate in the event due to the eye injuries he sustained in his last fight at UFC 283 in January, which saw a loss to Brandon Moreno by doctor stoppage. In a recent interview on the MMA Fighting podcast Trocaço Franca, Figueiredo explained how the medical team advised him to follow the full six-month medical suspension given to him after his last fight. He stated that although he had asked his manager for a fight, he later spoke to his physical therapist and ophthalmologist, who determined that his eyesight was still not 100% and advised him to wait. According to Figueiredo, "There are days I see things normal, but there are days it’s not OK, especially the days after I train, so they decided I had to go the full six-month [medical suspension] the ophthalmologist gave me [after UFC 283]." The news was initially reported by Canal Encarada, and as of now, Figueiredo's opponent for UFC 290 remains unknown. Ahead of the fight, Figueiredo had been scheduled to lock horns with Manel Kape. Ranked No. 9, Kape was seen as an ideal opponent for Figueiredo. However, the former UFC flyweight champion was surprised by this opponents' choice. "I admit I didn’t understand it. The UFC threw me the No. 9 ranked flyweight, and I don’t understand it, given I’m the No. 1. I hope to fight one of the top-5 [flyweights]. I’m in no hurry to recover from my injury. I talked to my manager and asked him to ask the UFC to give me someone in the top 5 and let everybody else fight," Figueiredo said. Despite his disappointment at not being able to fight Kape, Figueiredo is eager to get back to winning ways after his last loss. The Brazilian fighter will maintain a regular workout schedule but hold off on intense drills and sparring until late July. The 33-year-old former champion also named Kai Kara-France and the man who knocked out Matheus Nicolau as potential challengers once he is fit again. The news of Figueiredo's withdrawal marks yet another twist in the flyweight division, adding further uncertainty to the division's championship picture. MMA fans and pundits alike will undoubtedly wait with bated breath for the latest updates from the world of UFC.