Dana White Confirms Deiveson Figueiredo’s BW Move, Manel Kape Bout Scrapped

The UFC President has seemingly been just as confused by Figueiredo's plans as anybody else.

(Jason da Silva/Mark J. Rebilas/USA TODAY Sports)

Following a recent claim from Deiveson Figueiredo that he would not be fighting Manel Kape at UFC 290, Dana White has confirmed that the former UFC flyweight champion is planning on moving up to bantamweight for his next bout.

“Deus Da Guerra” initially indicated he was moving to bantamweight immediately after his loss to Brandon Moreno at UFC 283 before a flyweight matchup between him and Kape was announced for UFC 290, and at the UFC on ABC 4 post-fight press conference White was asked if that matchup was still going ahead as planned.

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Dana White asked about the Figueiredo/Kape fight.#UFCCharlotte pic.twitter.com/rHsTCbKtXe

— Jed I. Goodman © (@jedigoodman) May 13, 2023

“You know, that’s a f***ing great question,” White said with a laugh. “No? I thought it was yesterday…So yes, then he tells some guy no. Then I hear again yesterday yes. And now he just tells me he’s moving up in weight. Who the hell knows man, who the hell knows. This is the nutty s*** we deal with on a daily basis around here.”

Figueiredo claimed the UFC's flyweight title in 2020 when he submitted Joseph Benavidez in the first round, but that was the Brazilian’s second attempt at winning the belt after he’d missed weight for a previous matchup between the two men. The 35-year-old defended his title against Alex Perez at UFC 255 before embarking on a four-fight series with Moreno, and after losing to the Mexican a second time at UFC 283 it appears Figueiredo has no intention of continuing the difficult cut to the flyweight.

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The matchup between Figueiredo and Kape would have been a significant bout for the UFC’s 125 lb. weight class, and it also would have added some extra name value to a UFC 290 card that is shaping up quite nicely with a pair of title fights set for the main and co-main events. 

Former Middleweight Champion Robert Whittaker will also take on Dricus du Plessis in a potential #1 contender fight, plus rising stars Bo Nickal and Jack Della Maddalena will look to continue their climb through the ranks while Robbie Lawler will step into the Octagon for the final time.

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