Deiveson Figueiredo may not have walked away with the UFC title, but he was still able to deliver a championship-level performance at UFC on ESPN+ 27.
Figueiredo (18-1 MMA, 7-1 UFC) faced Joseph Benavidez for the vacant flyweight belt in the main event in Norfolk, Va. But, due to missing weight by 2.5 pounds, the Brazilian wasn’t eligible to win the title.
The bout, itself, was an action-packed contest, with both men trading shots and engaging in high-level grappling exchanges. Benavidez looked the busier man early, charging in with combinations while constantly feinting and presenting a moving target. But Figueiredo managed to gain a foothold in the matchup when he caught a Benavidez kick and slammed the Team Alpha Male fighter to the canvas.
During the subsequent scramble, Figueiredo secured an armbar that Benavidez was able to escape. Benavidez continued with his in-and-out movement, while Figueiredo tried to pressure him and cut off the cage.
In Round 2, Figueiredo started to time Benavidez’s entries with solid counter right hands. Then came a crucial moment in the bout, as Benavidez rushed in with a combination and clashed heads with Figueiredo, leaving the American split open.
Figueiredo capitalized and turned up the pressure on the bloodied-up Benavidez and dropped him with a big right hand. A few follow-up ground strikes were enough to force the stoppage, and Figueiredo claimed the win, but not the title.
Figueiredo returns Saturday when he rematches Benavidez (28-6 MMA, 15-4 UFC) in the UFC on ESPN+ 30 headliner for the vacant flyweight title at Yas Island in Abu Dhabi.
Before they face off again, relive Figueiredo’s finish over Benavidez in the video above.
