SAO PAULO – When the flyweight bout between Deiveson Figueiredo and Jarred Brooks ended on Saturday, both fighters raised their arms in celebration.

But at least one of them wasn’t that convinced the UFC Fight Night 119 contest would go his way.

After dropping his first career loss in a split decision to Figueiredo (13-0 MMA, 2-0 UFC), Brooks (13-1 MMA, 1-1 UFC) said that, while he did factor in his opponent’s home advantage, he’d “definitely” thought he’d earned a 30-27 win – thought with which one of the octagon-side judges, as well as the majority of MMAjunkie readers, agreed.

Figueiredo, on his end, wasn’t exactly expecting to hear his name.

“It was a tough fight,” Figueiredo said after the preliminary card bout, which streamed live on UFC Fight Pass from Ibirapuera Gymnasium in Sao Paulo, Brazil. “I thought, by the end, that I’d lost. But I celebrated anyway.

“Yes, I was (nervous I wouldn’t get the nod). But I think one day I’ll have to lose. If I’d lost (on Saturday), it’d be with honor because I fought to the end and didn’t give up. Thankfully, I got the win. Fortunately, he said I was going to come out crying but he was the one who left crying.”

Which is not to say that Figueiredo lacks self-awareness when it comes to his display on Saturday. After a rough weight cut that had him crying as he made his way to the scale – and Brooks subsequently mocking him for it at the ceremonial weigh-ins – he does consider the possibility that took a toll.

But, mostly, Figueiredo believes there was simply not enough preparation to stop Brooks’ takedowns.

“I don’t know if it was the weight cut that left my legs weaker, or if it was more about training,” Figueiredo said. “But I believe it was the training. (I have to) improve this takedown defense. I lacked explosion – getting back up quickly if he takes me down.

“He took me down too easily. I’m going to work to work on that, so I can come back even stronger.”

Controversial as it was, only one fighter left with an unblemished record from the UFC Fight Night 119 encounter – an outcome that Figueiredo ultimately attributes to his will power, and some powerful shots he started landing in the second frame.

“From the second to the third, he started gassing, and I got better,” Figueiredo said. “I think that’s what made me win the fight.”

Figueiredo admits to some frustration as Brooks kept escaping the same guillotine choke that the Brazilian had used to finish three of his previous opponents. But he’s not willing to give up on the move just yet.

“I’ll have to find that adjustment,” Figueiredo said. “I’ll switch arms. I’ll use my right one, since the left one isn’t working.”

In order to make the improvements that he has in mind, Figueiredo is eyeing a training stint in the U.S. While he’s still waiting on talks with his coaches and negotiations for financial support, he’s already got three different gyms in mind – though he’d only name one, Jacksonwink-MMA, where longtime friend and MMA mentor Iuri Alcantara trains.

When it comes to adding to his 2-0 octagon record, Figueiredo says he would be open to fighting again before the end of the year. But he would also love to be part of the UFC’s next Brazilian outing, which is set for Jan. 3 in his home state of Para.

As for whom he’d like to share the octagon with in either of those dates? Well, let’s just say potential opponents don’t really faze Figueiredo.

“The only thing I’m afraid of is crying again in my weight cut,” Figueiredo joked.

For complete coverage of UFC Fight Night 119, check out the UFC Events section of the site.

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