Photo by Jeff Bottari/Zuffa LLC via Getty Images
Watch videos from the UFC flyweight title rematch.
Deiveson Figueiredo and Joseph Benavidez’s first bout had some controversy coming from the missed weight, and the much talked about headbutt before the finish. This second contest left no doubt.
Figueiredo landed big shots and knocked down Benavidez three times, before going for another rear naked choke that eventually put him out cold. He had to stop Benavidez twice to make it official, but Figueiredo is now officially the new UFC flyweight champion.
Watch highlights of the bout below, along with a snippet from our play-by-play of the contest:
Deiveson Figueiredo vs. Joseph Benavidez (Flyweight Title)
Round 1 – Benavidez gets Figueiredo to buckle slightly with a leg kick. Spinning back kick to the body from Figueiredo. Immediate knockdown by Figueiredo on a right hand. Huge elbow by Figueiredo and he’s going for the rear-naked choke. Benavidez is in trouble. Figueiredo adjusts and it looks tighter but he still can’t get it. Third time is the charm, surely? It was under the chin but Benavidez hand fights brilliantly and he’s out of the choke once more! Benavidez is back to his feet. Slow two punches by Benavidez surging forward. Short left hook from Benavidez and a leg kick. Another right hand puts Benavidez down momentarily. He bounces back up but any hard shot is hurting him. Got him again on a straight right but he stays upright on this occasion. Another smooth right by Figueiredo and another knockdown. Huge elbows from Figueiredo and I don’t know how much longer this can last. Deiveson is in full mount and raining down a barrage of shots. Rear-naked choke attempt number five by Figueiredo and this time Benavidez goes completely unconscious! Deiveson Figueiredo is your new flyweight champion!
Official result: Deiveson Figueiredo def. Joseph Benavidez by technical submission (rear-naked choke) at 4:48 of round 1
Early trouble for Benavidez as @Daico_Deiveson drops him #UFCFightIsland2 pic.twitter.com/heuxEvBTZo
— ESPN MMA (@espnmma) July 19, 2020
HE CAUGHT HIM! @Daico_Deiveson has Benavidez hurt early#InAbuDhabi | @VisitAbuDhabi | #UFCFightIsland2 pic.twitter.com/6NLxg3eXJF
— UFC (@ufc) July 19, 2020
HOW DOES BENAVIDEZ KEEP ESCAPING!?
We are LIVE on E+ | #UFCFightIsland2 pic.twitter.com/61Qe1giyQD
— UFC (@ufc) July 19, 2020
Ataca Daico y sobrevive Benavidez!#UFCFightIsland2 | #InAbuDhabi | @VisitAbuDhabi pic.twitter.com/wW4bZd9v1D
— ufcespanol (@UFCEspanol) July 19, 2020
Destructor! @Daico_Deiveson es el nuevo campeón de peso mosca, duerme a Benavidez en round 1!#UFCFightIsland2 | #InAbuDhabi | @VisitAbuDhabi pic.twitter.com/0atfqtkDG0
— ufcespanol (@UFCEspanol) July 19, 2020
#AndNew! No questions remain.@Daico_Deiveson is your flyweight champion.#InAbuDhabi | @VisitAbuDhabi | #UFCFightIsland2 pic.twitter.com/lMoMPZvdsr
— UFC (@ufc) July 19, 2020