Deiveson Figueiredo didn’t think he’d be fighting for real gold this weekend.

The flyweight contender takes on Joseph Benavidez in the main event of UFC on ESPN+ 27 on Saturday night in Norfolk, Va. It’s a five-round contest that’s set to crown the new champion of the UFC’s 125-pound division.

Figueiredo (17-1 MMA, 6-1 UFC) thought he’d end up fighting for a belt, but the interim version. The Brazilian was caught off guard by Henry Cejudo’s decision to relinquish his flyweight title, thus making his fight against Benavidez (28-5 MMA, 15-3 UFC) for the undisputed belt.

“We didn’t expect that Cejudo would have to surrender his belt,” Figueiredo told MMA Junkie in his native Portuguese. “I had been asking to face Benavidez for an interim belt, since I was the only suitable opponent for him. Formiga already lost to Benavidez, while I beat Pantoja around the same time. The promotion decided to make ours the fight for the linear belt.

“I was very happy and surprised when that announcement was made. This proves that God is great. Now is the time. I’ll capture the championship belt, in Jesus’ name. I’m very ready to fight Benavidez – body and mind.”

This is not the first time Figueiredo has been booked to fight Benavidez. The two were scheduled to meet a year ago, but the fight didn’t materialize. Figueiredo is glad he’s fighting Benavidez now and not then.

“This bout was supposed to have already taken place,” Figueiredo explained. “In truth, it was a good thing we didn’t fight. I had been dealing with a bad pelvic injury and was way above weight.

“Soon thereafter, I did face Jussier Formiga. I ended up losing, as I couldn’t train properly. I took that loss as a learning experience. It only served to increase my focus.

“Today, I’m stronger, more complete, and much more prepared to face Benavidez. It’s going to be an amazing fight. I’ll step into the cage with the goal of knocking him out. He’s been talking trash, claiming I was afraid. We’ll settle this on Feb. 29.”

Along with health, other factors differ from the first time Figueiredo was booked to face Benavidez. “The God of War” believes he now has a more stable approach to his preparation and thinks that will play a big role when the duo meet in Norfolk.

“I didn’t have a proper team before,” Figueiredo said. “I’d train with the Marajo brothers (Iuri and Ildemar Alcantara). Now I put together my own team, where everyone and all training sessions are done with me in mind. I have an excellent team who’s great at studying my opponents. I’m very well-prepared. I feel like a new fighter. The world will get a new champion. I am that champion.”

If victorious, Figueiredo plans to give back to those who helped him get to the top.

“I plan on spending about a month in the U.S. after capturing the belt, but once I’m back home in Brazil, I’d like to come visit everyone who has helped me in the past, to get to where I am today,” Figueiredo said.

“My title is dedicated to them, and to God. I’ve had rough spots. I’ve gone without food. Once, I didn’t have enough money for rent. My father left our mother when we were young, so my siblings and I had to find ways to get the very basics, like clothes. This belt would not only change my life, but also that of my family.”