Author: Dan Hiergesell

Deiveson Figueiredo had to walk through hell to retain his UFC flyweight title last night (Sat., Dec. 12, 2020) at UFC 256 live on ESPN+ PPV from inside UFC APEX in Las Vegas, Nevada, as the champion battled Brandon Moreno to a majority draw in the main event. It was undoubtedly the best fight in the history of the UFC’s flyweight division.

Figueiredo stalked Moreno from the opening bell and was down to exchange inside. Moreno was game and the two landed their own shots through the first five minutes. Figueiredo scored some good jabs and body shots while Moreno took it upstairs with head kicks and counter left hooks.

Figueiredo really started to land in the second as he unloaded combinations on Moreno along the cage. Moreno was able to score a brief takedown but an eye poke by Figueiredo stopped the action. When the title fight returned to the feet both flyweights went to work landing heavy combinations and counter shots. Moreno seemed to be gaining back some control as Figueiredo looked to tire just a bit.

The pace stayed wild in Round 3 as Figueiredo rushed in and crushed Moreno with heavy body shots and winging punches. Moreno survived and tried to counter in the pocket. Figueiredo kept busy with power left hooks before he accidentally landed a brutal low blow. It was so bad that the referee took a point from Figueiredo.

In Round 4, Moreno came out fired up and landed crisp combinations before nearly taking Figueiredo’s head off with a kick. Figueiredo tried to respond but Moreno’s punches had more on them. The champion was in serious trouble as Moreno leveled him with heavy punches before the challenger secured another takedown.

The fifth and final round saw Figueiredo regain some momentum with whipping body kicks. Moreno responded with pressure of his own and was able to tie Figueiredo up along the cage. That was until the champion secured a big takedown and some ground-and-pound with moments left.

Check out the highlights below courtesy of UFC/ESPN:

For complete UFC 256 results and coverage click here.

As soon as UFC 256 wraps up later tonight (Sat., Dec. 12, 2020) live on ESPN+ PPV from inside UFC APEX in Las Vegas, Nevada, fight fans can check out the live post-fight press conference video above for all the best reaction and official bonus winners.

On a night that features a main event flyweight title fight between current UFC champion Deiveson Figueiredo and top contender Brandon Moreno, a co-headliner pitting lightweight veteran Tony Ferguson against streaking submission specialist Charles Oliveira, a heavyweight battle between former UFC champion Junior dos Santos and undefeated Ciryl Ganel, and a middleweight matchup showcasing Ronaldo “Jacare” Souza and Kevin Holland, there will be much to talk about when the action winds down.

The post-fight presser is scheduled to go live at 1:15 a.m. ET (Sunday), and feature the biggest winners and losers from the card.

For complete UFC 256 results and coverage click here.

Veteran Cub Swanson captured one of his biggest wins in a long time earlier tonight (Sat., Dec. 12, 2020) at UFC 256 live on ESPN+ PPV from inside UFC APEX in Las Vegas, Nevada, when the featherweight contender finished Daniel Pineda with a second-round knockout (punches).

This is the first time Swanson has competed since tearing up his knee in a grappling match last December. Pineda intelligently targeted Swanson’s lead leg and really started to bust it up early. Swanson was forced to fight from the outer pocket and ended up landing some great shots. He stunned Pineda with a massive right towards the end of the first but Pineda recovered to see the second.

Once the second started Swanson started to move forward in search of a finish. He ended up catching Pineda with another right hand that put the veteran down. Swanson followed with an insurance punch as the referee stepped in for the stoppage.

Check out the highlights above courtesy of UFC/ESPN.

With this performance, Swanson wins his second-straight fight after outlasting Kron Gracie in a decision back in 2019. It’s the first win streak for “Killer Cub” since 2016-2017. Hopefully he can stay healthy outside of the Octagon and make 2021 an ultimate comeback year.

For complete UFC 256 results and coverage click here.

Lightweight contender Rafael Fiziev made a huge statement earlier tonight (Sat., Dec. 12, 2020) at UFC 256 live on ESPN+ PPV from inside UFC APEX in Las Vegas, Nevada, when he stopped Brazilian veteran Renato Moicano via first-round knockout (punches).

Moicano willingly engaged with the world-class striking of Fiziev and found some good success early with long jabs and kicks to the body. Fiziev delivered heavy punches of his own that kept the former featherweight at bay. With around one minute left in the first round Fiziev unloaded a nasty three-strike combination to the body and head that immediately sent Moicano crashing to the canvas. A follow-up right from Fiziev landed but wasn’t necessary.

Check out the highlights above courtesy of UFC/ESPN.

This was quite the performance for Fiziev as he moves his current UFC win streak to three. The 27-year-old striker has looked downright lethal since making his debut early last year, but he’ll have to show more of his game moving forward as he pushes towards the lightweight top 15.

For complete UFC 256 results and coverage click here.

To stream UFC 256 LIVE on ESPN+ PPV click here!

The final Ultimate Fighting Championship (UFC) pay-per-view (PPV) of the year will go down tonight (Sat., Dec. 12, 2020) as UFC 256 unfolds live on ESPN+ PPV from inside UFC APEX in Las Vegas, Nevada, with a Deiveson Figueiredo vs. Brandon Moreno flyweight title fight serving as the main attraction.

Before Figueiredo and Moreno duke it out for the 125-pound strap on just 21 days notice, the rest of the UFC 256 main card and “Prelims” will play out in violent fashion. From a co-main event lightweight clash between Tony Ferguson and Charles Oliveira to a heavyweight matchup pitting former UFC champion Junior dos Santos against rising contender Ciryl Gane, the UFC 256 fight card should deliver from start to finish.

We will compile the best of the best below — with all video footage courtesy of UFC and ESPN — and will continue to share the action as it rolls in. Enjoy!

---

Chase Hooper def. Peter Barrett via third-round submission (heel hook)

---

Tecia Torres def. Sam Hughes via first-round TKO (doctor’s stoppage)

---

Gavin Tucker def. Billy Quarantillo via Unanimous Decision

---

Rafael Fiziev def. Renato Moicano via first-round knockout (punches)

---

Cub Swanson def. Daniel Pineda via second-round knockout (punches)

---

Ciryl Gane def. Junior dos Santos via second-round TKO (elbow and punches)

---

Kevin Holland def. Ronaldo Souza via first-round knockout (punches)

---

Mackenzie Dern def. Virna Jandiroba via Unanimous Decision

---

Charles Oliveira def. Tony Ferguson via Unanimous Decision

---

Deiveson Figueiredo vs. Brandon Moreno ends in Majority Draw

---

For complete UFC 256 results and coverage click here.

Anthony Joshua (24-1, 22 KO) looked like a man on a mission earlier today (Sat., Dec. 12, 2020) live on DAZN from inside The SSE Arena in London, England, as “AJ” finished heavyweight counterpart Kubrat Pulev (28-2, 14 KO) via ninth-round knockout to retain his WBA (Super), IBF, WBO, and IBO heavyweight titles.

Joshua came into this fight as a -1000 betting favorite so he was supposed to control the action from the opening bell. “AJ” did just that as Pulev was unable to land much of anything against the bigger and stronger heavyweight. Joshua ended up taking a massive lead early on and even knocked Pulev down twice in Round 3.

Pulev was able to channel his inner zombie and absorb all of the punishment to get to Round 9, but that’s when Joshua crashed a power right hand into his jaw and put a brutal end to the fight.

Check out the knockout finish above courtesy of DAZN.

With another victory under his belt since losing to Andy Ruiz back in June of 2019 Joshua seems ready to finally test his luck against fellow heavyweight king Tyson Fury. “Gypsy King” has some unfinished business with Deontay Wilder in 2021, but the undefeated heavyweight should have no trouble setting some time aside for a clash with “AJ.”

For complete ‘Joshua vs. Pulev’ results and coverage click here.