Flyweight contender Deiveson Figueiredo will attempt to register back-to-back victories over rival Joseph Benavidez, and in the process capture the UFC flyweight title on “UFC Fight Island” on Saturday night.
Figueiredo (18-1 MMA, 7-1 UFC) will take on Benavidez (28-6 MMA, 15-4 UFC) for the vacant 125-pound strap at UFC on ESPN+ 30, which takes place Saturday at Yas Island in Abu Dhabi. The event will stream live on ESPN+.
Ahead of their flyweight title rematch, we take a look at four fights that have helped define Figueiredo’s MMA career to date.
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Jarred Brooks at UFC Fight Night 119 – Oct. 28, 2017
Figueiredo’s second fight in the UFC saw him take on Jarred Brooks in a battle of undefeated rising contenders at 125 pounds and, as you might have expected, the pair served up a tightly-contested battle that went all the way to the scorecards in Sao Paulo.
After three hard-fought rounds, Figueiredo got the nod via split decision, even though the first scorecard announced all three rounds to Brooks. At that point, Figueiredo was more than a little worried that he had lost the fight.
“It was a tough fight,” Figueiredo said after the fight. “I thought, by the end, that I’d lost. But I celebrated anyway.
“Yes, I was (nervous I had lost). But I think one day I’ll have to lose. If I’d lost, 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.”
After that scare, Figueiredo held on to his unbeaten record and moved on to face more unbeaten opposition in his next fight, determined to leave no doubt over his victory.
Watch Jarred Brooks vs. Deiveson Figueiredo on UFC Fight Pass
Next up: Taking another fighter’s “0”
Joseph Morales at UFC Fight Night 125 – Feb. 3, 2018
Following his razor-thin victory over Brooks, Figueiredo was matched against then-unbeaten prospect Joseph Morales in Belem, Brazil. This time, Figueiredo made sure his win came with an exclamation point rather than an asterisk.
The Brazilian took charge early in the fight and, after an early takedown, bossed the action on the ground with his grappling. When the action returned to the feet, Figueiredo once again sent Morales to the canvas, this time via a big left hand.
Figueiredo’s aggressive approach continued into the second round, as he won the key exchanges on the feet and controlled matters on the floor. Then, in the final minute of the round, he decked Morales with a big left hook, then pounced on his man and unloaded a flurry of ground strikes to put the seal on a resounding TKO victory.
“I trained a lot of boxing for this fight, and my goal was to knock Moraes out,” Figueiredo said after the win. “Mission accomplished. I wanted to give a show for the fans here in Belem.
“I want to bring what Brazil deserves, which is the belt. I don’t choose opponents. I always say that, but my goal is pretty clear.”
Watch Deiveson Figueiredo vs. Joseph Morales on UFC Fight Pass
Next up: A quickfire finish
Tim Elliott at UFC on ESPN+ 19 – Oct. 12, 2019
With Figueiredo setting his sights on the division’s best, he took on former title challenger Tim Elliott in Tampa, Fla., and delivered a statement finish to prove his readiness for a shot at the division’s elite.
The bout started in unusually cagey fashion for a flyweight matchup with both men paying plenty of respect to each other’s abilities as they kept their distance during the first half-round of action. But, when Elliott looked to shoot in and take Figueiredo to the mat, the Brazilian was ready with the perfect counter.
As Elliott shot in, Figueiredo grabbed the American’s neck and locked up a tight guillotine choke that forced the tap. It was quick, clinical, and perfectly timed, and showed that Figueiredo has the ability to capitalize on the smallest opening and finish a world-class competitor.
It improved Figueiredo’s UFC record to 5-1 and put him in prime position to challenge for the UFC flyweight title.
Watch Tim Elliott vs. Deiveson Figueiredo on UFC Fight Pass
Next up: An unfulfilling victory
Joseph Benavidez at UFC on ESPN+ 27 – Feb. 29, 2020
Figueiredo’s big opportunity saw him deliver the goods on fight night, but his stoppage win over Joseph Benavidez was something of a hollow victory, thanks to a nightmare on weigh-in day.
Figueiredo missed the 125-pound championship weight limit by 2.5 pounds as his title challenge ended on the scale on the Friday. But even though he was unable to win the vacant title, the Brazilian wanted to make sure he delivered a statement on fight night.
Figueiredo showed his grappling chops on the ground as he cycled his way through a succession of submission attempts, but after Benavidez scrambled back to his feet, the pair engaged in a stand-up war.
The Brazilian was put on the back foot by Benavidez’s striking, but took advantage after the pair accidentally clashed heads. With Benavidez temporarily stunned, Figueiredo saw his opening and connected with a thumping body shot, then a big right hand that sent the American to the canvas. A barrage of ground strikes forced the stoppage and gave the Brazilian another big win, but not the belt.
Now the pair will face off for a second time at UFC on ESPN+ 30 on Yas Island, Abu Dhabi on Saturday night with the still-vacant title up for grabs once again.
Watch Joseph Benavidez vs. Deiveson Figueiredo on UFC Fight Pass
