This time, Deiveson Figueiredo left no doubts.
In a rematch of his controversial match earlier this year, Figueiredo knocked down Joseph Benavidez three times and then suffocated him at 4:48 of the first round in Sunday’s UFC Fight Night main event in Abu Dhabi. With the victory, Figueiredo claimed the vacant UFC flyweight championship.
Figueiredo held Benavidez with his right hand in the first few seconds, then tried to stick to the ground with a bare rear knot. Benavidez bravely struggled and stood up. But he couldn’t do it a second time. Figueiredo hit him with his right hand in the last minute of the first minute, then pounced and locked himself in submission to claim the title victory. Benavidez did not tap, was knocked unconscious and referee Marc Goddard called the fight.
“I said I was going to break Benavidez, and that was exactly what I did,” said Figueiredo. “I gave him his first appearance on his record, and the fight itself was a great show. I gave everyone a show. It didn’t surprise me at all tonight.”
Upon arrival, ESPN caused Figueiredo to rank as his No. 2 MMA flyweight in the world, and Benavidez No. 3. Figueiredo is now just the third flyweight champion in UFC history, after legendary Demetrious Johnson and the recently retired double champion Henry Cejudo. .
Benavidez and Figueiredo first fought on February 29 in Norfolk, Virginia. The fight was supposed to decide the vacant title, but Figueiredo lost 2.5 pounds. Due to the weight loss, Benavidez was the only one who could win the belt in the fight, but Figueiredo ended up stopping Benavidez for TKO in the second round.
There was some dispute there too. Figueiredo’s end came just after a head butt that shook Benavidez, who had won the first round. Circumstances led the UFC to grant Benavidez an immediate rematch.
Sunday’s fight took place at the recently built Flash Forum on Yas Island, which has been nicknamed “Fight Island” by the UFC for this month’s list of events in Abu Dhabi. This was the third UFC card in place in eight days, and one more will arrive on July 25.
Figueiredo had a strange path in the past two weeks. Initially tested positive for COVID-19 before leaving his native Brazil, he did not board the UFC letter flying from Sao Paulo. On July 11, he was examined again, the result was negative, and he took a flight on Sunday night to Abu Dhabi.
Once on Yas Island, Figueiredo passed several more COVID-19 tests and was approved by the UFC. He successfully gained weight, unlike before the first fight with Benavidez on Friday, just hours after he was released from quarantine.
“I was able to get through all of that,” said Figueiredo. “I was able to get in here, and now I am the champion; it is going to be a very difficult time for anyone who comes after me.”
Since Figueiredo’s debut in the UFC in 2017, he has the most wins (8) and the most finals (6) in the flyweight division, according to research by ESPN Stats & Information.
Benavidez was able to survive Figueiredo’s initial attack. Initially, Figueiredo dropped him with his right hand behind his ear and then tried to strangle him. Benavidez somehow struggled against the asphyxiation attempt and stood up with 2:16 remaining in the round.
Once standing, Benavidez made an offense. He landed a combination of four punches, then a body shot and a heavy right hand. But Figueiredo dropped it again with a right. Benavidez stood up, but seconds later Figueiredo knocked him down one last time, then suffocated him. It was the first loss of submission in Benavidez’s 14-year career.
“He also wanted to put that first loss of submission on his record,” said Figueiredo. “I finished it in the first round. That is exactly what happened.”
Figueiredo (19-1) is one of the best finalists in the history of a division not known for its finishes. The Brazilian has six stoppages in eight UFC victories and has won four straight overall. Figueiredo, 32, has only one loss in his career, against compatriot Jussier Formiga in 2019.
Benavidez (28-7) is one of the best MMA flyweight fighters of all time and a fan favorite, with plenty of support for him to finally win the belt that had eluded him three times previously. The Las Vegas resident competed in the first UFC flyweight title fight, falling to Johnson, who became the lifelong champion, in 2012.
The 35-year-old Benavidez is tied for the most wins in UFC flyweight history (13, with Johnson), has the most fights in the division (18), and the most knockouts (5). .
Cejudo vacated the UFC flyweight title last December when he made it clear that he was focusing on defending his second belt, the bantamweight title.
“I am available to whoever the UFC wants to put in front of me. Anyone at my level,” said Figueiredo. “But you have to be on my level, because I’m a novice artist, I’m going to knock you out. I’m going home tomorrow, and we’re going to start celebrating with all the Brazilians on the return flight, and as soon as I get to Brazil, everyone will take photos and congratulate me, so it will be a great party. “
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