Deiveson Figueiredo’s flyweight title rematch with Joseph Benavidez on July 15th is at risk after he tested positive for coronavirus in Sao Paulo before traveling to Fight Island.
The additional twist in the tail however is that Figueiredo’s manager Wallid Ismael has claimed the fighter already tested positive for Covid two months ago and doesn’t have any symptoms any more, and as such his team believe that the most recent test he received may have been a false-positive.
With that in mind Figueiredo is still hoping that if he can get another test and receive a negative result so that he’ll still be able to fly out to Yas Island in time to compete for the title later this month.
If he can’t compete it will be blow in what’s been a rollercoaster of emotions for Figueiredo in 2020, following on from a big TKO victory over Benavidez in their original title fight back in February – a bittersweet moment because he had come in 2.5lbs overweight for the fight and as such wasn’t eligible to be crowned the new 125lb champion.
In total Figueiredo has won 18 of his 19 career fights, with his solitary loss being a uanimous decision defeat against Jussier Formiga last year. he’s since gone on a three-fight winning streak.
As for Benavidez, he also has an outstanding record in the division, having won 9 of his last 11 fights in the Octagon, but though he’s now fought three time for the title he’s never emerged with the belt.
