Midnight Mania! Is Skinny Figueiredo ‘Off The Sauce?’

Photo by Jeff Bottari/Zuffa LLC via Getty Images

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Welcome to Midnight Mania!

Weigh-ins can be a revealing time, and I don’t just mean in the accidental nudity manner of speaking. While it’s never wise to read too deep into a fighter’s physical appearance or make generalizations, weigh-ins are often when we first notice signs that a fighter had an abbreviated camp, suffered some sort of injury, or perhaps starved himself a bit too extremely.

If something looks different, there’s usually a reason why.

In the case of tomorrow night’s Flyweight title challenger Deiveson Figueiredo, the Brazilian did look a bit smaller than usual. In a reply to the official UFC’s Instagram post about the face-off between Figueiredo and Joseph Benavidez, Bantamweight contender Cody Stamann offered his own theory, “Definitely off the sauce. Guy was twice that size last fight”

Someone tell Stamann to get off Instagram and call the USADA hotline with his insider info!

In all seriousness, there are a number of reasons why Figueiredo could show up to weigh-ins smaller. Most notably, he did miss weight in the original match up, and his manager mentioned that he would be entering fight week roughly 10 lbs. lighter than normal. If you’re too heavy to make weight, dieting down more than usual is a smart move!

Additionally, Figueiredo did catch COVID-19 earlier in the year, which could be responsible for weight loss as well. Regardless of actual reason behind the more svelte “God Of War,” he will rematch with Benavidez tomorrow night in a title clash.

Insomnia

Reminder, Mike Tyson is still looking for a fight.

Despite Tyron Woodley’s claim that he would accept that fight “at 96 years old in a nursing home,” Dana White confirms that has yet to sign opposite Colby Covington for Aug. 22.

Alex Caceres vs. Giga Chikadze sounds like a fun scrap, a good veteran vs. prospect match up.

Also of note, Tanner Boser returns! He scored an overhand knockout (WATCH IT!) just a couple weeks ago, and that Canadian has an interesting style that’s movement based and difficult to deal with.

An interesting look at a pair of last-second reactions that saved the defending fighter from a big shot:

Don’t mind me, I’m just over here imaging the glory that could have been …

Slips, rips, and KO clips

A slick right uppercut started this finishing sequence, and a clean left uppercut ended it.

Right hand to the body, right hand behind the ear.

Right hand-clinch-knee is a dangerous sequence.

Random Land

Can’t have a wave two if wave one never ends *taps forehead*

Midnight Music: While in a great deal of discomfort mid-tattoo session earlier today, the track below had the absolute audacity to start playing.

Sleep well Maniacs! More martial arts madness is always on the way.