Figueiredo made the decision to trade in his rural, coastal home of Soure in the State of Pará, Brazil for the landlocked desert city of Scottsdale, Arizona — a place with a population ten times the size of his home, sitting a stone’s throw east of the fifth-largest city in the United States.
Apart from the desire to regain his throne, the one thing that would drive Figueiredo nearly 5,000 miles away from his home and family is someone who has just as much, if not more, history with Moreno; something he found in former two-division UFC champion Henry Cejudo.
“I look to be among champions,” Figueiredo said of the biggest reason for his complete overhaul of his team and training camp. “Cejudo is a role model for me.”
COUNTDOWN: Ngannou vs Gane | Full Episode | Moreno vs Figueiredo
Cejudo’s history with Moreno extends back to 2016, when Moreno helped Cejudo prepare for his first title shot against Demetrious Johnson. The two would grow to become close friends, with Moreno even going as far as living with Cejudo in his Phoenix home, before a mistake made by Cejudo on the 24th season of The Ultimate Fighter drove a wedge between the two.
The story of a two-sided betrayal has become a hot topic during this fight week, but the abridged version ends with Moreno choosing to work with Joseph Benavidez — his coach on The Ultimate Fighter — in preparation for the longtime contender’s fight against Cejudo.
Now, “Triple C” returns the favor, offering not only his experience as a decorated champion, but his expertise on Moreno’s genetic makeup as a fighter, as well.
