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Ultimate Fighting Championship (UFC) will crown a new Flyweight champion in the main event of UFC Fight Island 2, headlined by the 125-pound rematch between Deiveson Figueiredo and Joseph Benavidez. “Daico” successfully hit the championship mark at the official weigh ins so barring another errant head butt, this bout will (finally) settle which division contender is championship material. The UFC Fight Island 2 mixed martial arts (MMA) fight card on ESPN+, which also features a compelling middleweight match up between Jack Hermansson and Kelvin Gastelum in the 185-pound co-main event, takes place TONIGHT (Sat., July 18, 2020) inside Flash Forum on “Fight Island” (Yas Island) in Abu Dhabi, United Arab Emirates.
MMAmania.com will deliver LIVE round-by-round, blow-by-blow coverage of the entire UFC Fight Island 2 fight card below, starting with the ESPN/ESPN+ “Prelims” undercard bouts at 5 p.m. ET, followed by the ESPN+ main card start time at 8 p.m. ET.
Keep in mind that we will also be the spot for the latest news, recaps, and post-fight analysis following “Figueiredo vs. Benavidez.” Without further delay, see below for the latest UFC Fight Island 2 results. (Note: This will go from the bottom up; therefore, scroll toward the bottom for the latest detailed round-by-round action.)
UFC FIGHT ISLAND 2 QUICK RESULTS:
Deiveson Figueiredo vs. Joseph Benavidez — Figueiredo def. Benavidez by technical submission (rear naked choke) at 4:48 of Round One — HIGHLIGHTS!
Kelvin Gastelum vs. Jack Hermansson — Hermansson def. Gastelum by submission (heel hook) at 1:18 of Round One — HIGHLIGHTS!
Marc Diakiese vs. Rafael Fiziev — Fiziev def. Diakiese by unanimous decision (30-27, 29-28 x2)
Luana Carolina vs. Ariane Lipski — Lipski def. Carolina by submission (kneebar) at 1:28 of Round One — HIGHLIGHTS!
Askar Askarov vs. Alexandre Pantoja — Askarov def. Pantoja by unanimous decision (29-28 x3)
Roman Dolidze vs. Khadis Ibragimov — Dolidze def. Ibragimov by TKO (knee and punches) at 4:15 of Round One
Grant Dawson vs. Nad Narimani — Dawson def. Narimani by unanimous decision (30-26, 30-27, 29-27)
Joel Alvarez vs. Joe Duffy — Alvarez def. Duffy by submission (guillotine choke) at 2:25 of Round One — HIGHLIGHTS!
Montel Jackson vs. Brett Johns — Johns def. Jackson by unanimous decision (29-28 x3)
Malcolm Gordon vs. Amir Albazi — Albazi def. Gordon by submission (triangle choke) at 4:42 of Round One — HIGHLIGHTS!
Davi Ramos vs. Arman Tsarukyan — Tsarukyan def. Ramos by unanimous decision (30-27 x2, 29-28)
Carlos Felipe vs. Serghei Spivac — Spivac def. Felipe by majority decision (28-28, 29-27 x2)
UFC FIGHT ISLAND 2 PLAY-BY-PLAY:
125 lbs. Deiveson Figueiredo vs. Joseph Benavidez for vacant flyweight title
Round 1: Figueiredo sends out a front kick, eats a leg kick. Good leg kick from Benavidez, avoids a spinning back kick. Benavidez throws another naked low kick and gets floored by a right hook. Figueiredo follows him down into guard, pounds for a bit, and then wraps up the RNC when Benavidez gives up his back. Benavidez gets out of the first attempt, then the second. The third one’s deeper, Benavidez still survives. Two minutes in. He manages to stand with the fence. Figueiredo separates, back to the center. Benavidez falls short with a 1-2, then the body kick. Two minutes to go.
Figueiredo stalking forward, eats a pair of hooks in combination. Another low kick dings him, but he comes back with a straight right. Another huge right hook and another knockdown. Benavidez pops right back up. Lead right by the Brazilian. Benavidez catches a kick, tries to combo. Body shot lands for him with a mintue to go. Counter right hook from Figueiredo, who floors him with another right hand. Savage elbows from mount. Benavidez gives up the back and this choke’s ultra deep. Benavidez’s eyes roll up in the back of his head and the ref peels the Brazilian off his limp body. With a truly dominant performance, Deiveson Figueiredo is your new UFC Flyweight Champion.
Final result: Figueiredo def. Benavidez by technical submission (rear naked choke)
185 lbs.: Kelvin Gastelum vs. Jack Hermansson
Round 1: Hermansson tries a side kick, lands a body kick. More kicks from the Swede. Gastelum tries to open up, hits a lovely sacrifice throw into half guard. Hermansson turns for a leg, regains guard. Another heel hook attempt and this one’s deep, forcing Gastelum to tap.
Final result: Hermansson def. Gastelum by submission (heel hook)
155 lbs.: Marc Diakiese vs. Rafael Fiziev
Round 1: Calf kick from Diakiese to start. Another sends Fiziev briefly to a knee. Diakiese wheel kick whiffs. Hard body kick by Fiziev, who grabs a body lock a minute in. Foot sweep gets him on top in half guard. Two minutes in. Diakiese turns to his knees and separates. Huge body kick and left hook from Fiziev. Lead right blocked, knee misses. Another body kick and Diakiese grazes him with a head kick. Two minutes to go.
Body kick and knee form Fiziev. Body shot, left hook, knee and he sprawls on a shot, taking half guard. Diakiese sporting a bloody nose with a minute to go. He stands lands a knee. Fiziev body shot met by a right hand. Diakiese tries a throw, denied with a whizzer. He lands a nasty left hook as they exchange. 10-9 Fiziev.
Round 2: Diakiese answers a high kick with a hard right cross. Simultaneous kicks. Diakiese jabs the body. Southpaw jab upstairs. Fiziev with a lead hook. Another Matrix head kick dodge and low kick behind it. One minute in. Low kick and jab from Diakiese. Body kick comes back at him. 3-2 from Fiziev. Diakiese calf kick, whiffs punches. Fiziev low kick. Two minutes in. Diakiese tries an elbow and takes a knee to the body. Low kicks from Fiziev. He lunges in with a left hook, follows it with a glancing spinning back fist. Good lead right. Diakiese lead hook and he changes levels with two minutes to go.
Fiziev denies it and separates. Stalking after Diakiese, lands a leg kick. Good body shot by the Brit, counters a kick with a straight left. One minute to go. He angles off with a left hook. Fiziev tries a bolo punch, lands a body and low kick. Diakiese digs a right downstairs. 10-9 Fiziev.
Round 3: Body kick from Fiziev to start, counter combo. Diakiese throws back in the center. Heavy combination by Fiziev, who avoids a spinning back fist. Low kick and left hook a minute in. Low kick to body kick. Lunging in with body kicks in combination. Fiziev bangs the body inside and takes Diakiese to the fence. Diakiese to the body two minutes in. Fiziev looks for a takedown, denied. Diakiese tries a spinning back kick, shoots, eats a knee and body kick. Two minutes to go.
Fiziev low kick met by a straight left. Diakiese answers a body kick with two brutal straight rights, which Fiziev mocks him for. Hard 1-2 from Diakiese answers a leg kick. Glancing left hook inside. Fiziev with a two-iece dosntairs. One minute to go. Diakiese tries a wheel kick, lands a left hook. Spinning back kick from Fiziev in return. Diakiese flying knee. Fiziev spins. 10-9 Fiziev.
Final result: Fiziev def. Diakiese by unanimous decision
125 lbs.: Luana Carolina vs. Ariane Lipski
Round 1: Lipski pressing forward, answers a body kick with a combination. Body shot knocks Carolina off-balance and Lipski takes top position. Lipski stands and Carolina threatens a leg. One minute in. Lipski falls back for a kneebar and viciously cranks it, drawing a scream from Carolina and bringing in the ref.
Final result: Lipski def. Carolina by submission (kneebar)
125 lbs.: Askar Askarov vs. Alexandre Pantoja
Round 1: Askarov goes for a reactive shot as Pantoja pressures, wriggles his way free of a guillotine, and sets up in guard. Pantoja now looking for a triangle, transitions to an armbar, loses them both. Good defense from Askarov. Left hands. Pantoja still highly aggressive off of his back, manages to stand on the fence and gets dragged down. Two minutes in. Askarov looks for the back as Pantoja stands. Good knee by Askarov, holding onto the body lock. Pantoja tries to roll and ends up on his back. Askarov swings as Pantoja stands and shoots back in. Two minutes to go.
Good balance by Pantoja. He tries to separate, tries to jump on Askarov’s back when the latter shoots, does so. Body triangle for Pantoja. Hunting for the RNC. Askarov defends until the bell. 10-9 Pantoja.
Round 2: Pantoja pressures and they briefly jockey for position. Low kick from Askarov. 1-2 from Pantoja met by another low kick. One minute in. Askarov catches a body kick, can’t get the takedown but continues to chase. Body kick by Pantoja. Lead right. Counter 1-2 form Askarov. Brief clinch, Pantoja body shot, Askarov counter right and he takes him down. Pantoja looks for a triangle, avoids an attempt to take side control. Two minutes in. Pantojas manages to stand and Askarov shoots back in. Big lift, takedown, can’t establish. Knee from Pantoja on the break. Two minutes to go.
Askarov shoots again, gets the rear waist lock. Pantoja gets underhooks and reverses on the fence. Pantoja looking a bit weathered, but lands a good right. Straight left by Askarov in return and he shoots. One minute to go. Askarov takes him down, nearly takes the back, Pantoja takes his in response. Askarov slips out the back and lands a final right hand. 10-9 Askarov.
Round 3: A quick hug to start the round. Pantoja wades in with body shots. Low kick from Askarov. Counter rights, he shoots, denied. Good lead left by Askarov. Pantoja tries an uppercut, puts Askarov on his back with a counter right off a leg kick. Askarov kicks him off and eats a body kick a minute in. 1-2 by the Russian, changes levels, denied. Pantoja digs a right downstairs. Stiff jab comes back at him. Another stiff jab, Pantoja comes back with body shots and tries a takedown. Two minutes in. Hard counter right by Askarov, caught by an uppercut. Pantoja slowly pressing forward. Askarov counter right, Pantoja body kick Askarov catches a kick, eats a counter right. Another Pantoja kick. Two minutes to go.
Low kicks from Askarov, who tries to counter a body kick with a right hand. One minute to go. Oblique kick from Askarov. Kicks from Pantoja, who slips throwing a kick and eats some punches inside. Pantoja takes a groin shot, shrugs it off. Lead left by Askarov, eats a hook in return. Brutal right hand at the bell. 10-9 Askarov?
Final result: Askarov def. Pantoja by unanimous decision
205 lbs.: Roman Dolidze vs. Khadis Ibragimov
Round 1: Low kicks from Dolidze to start. One minute in. Ibragimov plodding forward, Dolidze circling. Ibragimov low kick, avoids a left hand. He answers a low kick with a two-piece, then appears to hurt himself when Dolidze checks a low kick. Two minutes in. Dolidze calf kick, trips on the cage for a second. Switching stance. Two minutes to go.
Ibragimov knocks Dolidze over with punches as the latter tries an axe kick. Ibragimov stands over him, punches his leg then kicks it for a bit. Herb Dean stands Dolidze up as he butt scoots after Ibragimov. Hard lead right by Dolidze. Who fires a head kick that catches Ibragimov in the face with the kneeand sends him to his knees. A few more punches and it’s over.
Final result: Dolidze def. Ibragimov by TKO (knee and punches)
150 lbs.: Grant Dawson vs. Nad Narimani (Catchweight)
Round 1: Low kicks from Dawson to start. He looks for a low single, can’t get it, eats a right hand. Narimani answers a knee attempt with a two-piece. More calf kicks by Dawson. Narimani comes back with a right downstairs. Dawson slips after getting a kick checked and perfectly times a flying knee as Narimani tries to capitalize. The Brit tanks it and ties up, only to get thrown into guard a minute in. Dawson takes half guard. Two minutes in. Sharp elbow. Narimani regains guard, takes some short punches. Narimani firing elbows off his back as Dawson retakes half guard. Two minutes to go.
Dawson steps over into mount and takes the back. Body triangle in. One minute to go. Still hunting for the RNC. Can’t get it. 10-9 Dawson.
Round 2: Calf kick to knee from Dawson, who eats a right hand. Same sequence again. Dawson right hand falls short. Brazilian kick glances off. Easy takedown into guard. Narimani tries to turn as he gives up half guard. Short punches from Dawson. Two minutes in. Dawson continues to chip away; he’s badly bloodied Narimani’s left eye. Narimani tries to explode with two minutes to go and gives up his back.
There’s the RNC and he’s palm to palm, abandons it. Narimani unable to turn into guard. One minute to go. Dawson briefly considers an armbar. 10-9 Dawson.
Round 3: Dawson sending out kicks, eats a jab. Looking for knees, lands a 1-2 and a hard calf kick. Narimani low kick in response. Left hook to the body. One minute in. 1-2 by Narimani, eats a right hand. Dawson constantly threatening the knees, lands another calf kick. Low kick to knee. Dawson shoots, denied. Another calf kick. Both swing right hands in the center. Two minutes in. Narimani tries a combo, eats a calf kick and jab. Narimani answers a jumping knee with an overhand right. Dawson body kick. Two minutes to go.
Feint into overhand right by Dawson.. Another calf kick buckles Narimani. Narimani to the body. Good right hand upstairs. Calf kick, right hand, body kick from Dawson as Narimani tries to pressure. One minute to go. Narimani eats a body kick, lands a left hook. Heavy right hand prompts a shot form Dawson, who gets denied. Narimani opening up at the end, lands another good right hand and denies a takedown. 10-9 Dawson.
Final result: Dawson def. Narimani by unanimous decision
155 lbs.: Joel Alvarez vs. Joe Duffy
Round 1: Side kick to calf kick from Duffy. Alvarez tries to answer in kind, eats body shots and lands a nice combination. Heavy calf kick kicks off a Duffy combination. Calf kick from Alvarez in return. One minute in. Duffy answers a front kick with a left hook and both land calf kicks. 1-3 connects. Combo by Alvarez. Low kick after some Duffy body shots. Counter 1-2. Two minutes in. Duffy 2-1 and he changes levels for a takedown, only to shoot directly into a guillotine.
Final result: Alvarez def. Duffy by submission (guillotine choke)
135 lbs.: Montel Jackson vs. Brett Johns
Round 1: Johns orthodox, Jackson southpaw. Trading kicks to start, Johns takes one to the nards. 1-2 from Jackson. Johns shoots under a jab, takes him to the fence. One minute in. Jackson counters the takedown into top position. Hard elbow by Jackson, but Johns sits up into his own takedown attempt and puts him back on the fence. Body lock for Johns. He re-shoots, puts Jackson on his back in half guard. Jackson uses the cage to stand two minutes in. Jackson trying to frame, Johns still looking for the takedown. Two minutes to go.
Jackson tries to circle off, can’t do so. Johns gets him to a knee and looks for the back. Good knee to the head on the way up. Johns re-shoots, gets floored by a 1-2. Hard elbows by Jackson in guard. Johns closes his guard. One minute to go. Short punches from Jackson. Johns brings up an armbar, Jackson stands out of it. 10-9 Jackson.
Round 2: Counter jab from Jackson. Johns changes levels for a single-leg attempt. He wrenches Jackson to a knee, does so again and puts in a hook. Jackson stands, lands a knee. Trading knees inside. One minute in. Short elbow from Johns, good lift attempt but can’t get him down. Johns unable to get him all the way to the mat, but staying attached. They separate. Two minutes in. 1-2 from Jackson, Johns changes levels and takes him to the fence. Knees from Jackson. Short body punches, slick foot sweep and they separate. Jackson lands a low kick and Johns shoots through to drag him down against the fence. Two minutes to go.
Now Johns manages to take full back mount, wrapping up the body triangle. He has his arm in position to choke, but Jackson has wrist control. Jackson trying to turn into guard. One minute to go. Johns wraps up a triangle as Jackson sweeps, Jackson postures out. Short lefts by Jackson. 10-9 Johns.
Round 3: Counter hook lands for Johns. Jackson with a glancing uppercut as Johns tries to change levels. 1-2. Johns with a shifting left, ducks a left hand and takes him to the fence. One minute in. Knee by Jackson as he defends on the fence. Johns manages to drag him down away form the fence. Jackson stands two minutes in. Both land on the break. Jackson with a 1-2 and a heavy knee that Johns shoots right through to put him back on the fence. He completes the takedown. Jackson uses the fence to stand and separates. 1-2. Two minutes to go.
Jackson tries a head kick and 1-2. Jackson uppercut, Johns with a better elbow. Johns ducks a 1-2 and takes him down against the fence, looking for the back. Jackson stands, looks for a takedown and gets caught in a high-elbow guillotine. Jackson rolls through and gets back to his feet, where Johns shoots again. 10-9 Johns.
Final result: Johns def. Jackson by unanimous decision
135 lbs.: Malcolm Gordon vs. Amir Albazi
Round 1: Trading jabs to start. Glancing right hand lands for Albazi. Uppercut soon after. Right cross. One minute in. Check hook from Albazi. Another left hook. Gordon sends out some jabs. Albazi with a calf kick and body kick. He runs the pipe for a reactive single-leg two minutes in. Elbow from Albazi. Goardon brings up his legs, tries to roll free and gets bull-rushed back down. Half guard now for Albazi. Two minutes to go.
Albazi trying to pass, denied by Gordon’s lockdown. Elbows by Albazi. He makes it to mount. One minute to go. Right hands and he takes the back. Gordon manages to turn into guard but lands in a triangle. Albazi pulls his head down and there’s the tap.
Final result: Albazi def. Gordon by submission (triangle choke)
155 lbs.: Davi Ramos vs. Arman Tsarukyan
Round 1: Low kick from Tsarukyan as he circles. Ramos looks to answer with punches, eats a straight right. Combination by the Armenian. Ramos continuing to press forward, eats a spinning back kick and avoids the back fist behind it. Good right cross by Ramos draws a smile. One minute in. Ramos again tries to answer a low kick with a right hand and shoots, exiting with a knee downstairs. Tsarukyan leg kicks. Two minutes in. Tsarukyan tries to spin, counters a takedown into guard. Ramos looks for a triangle, eats a right hand. Good wrist control from Ramos, still taking the occasional shot. Tsarukyan answers an armbar attempt with more punches. Two minutes to go.
Short punches from the top, good elbow. One minute to go. Brutal diving right hand. He stands and lets Ramos up. Left hook to low kick by Tsarukyan. Ramos pressing forward, lands a left hook and avoids an axe kick. 10-9 Tsarukyan.
Round 2: Slick 1-2 from Tsarukyan, answers a low kick with a right hand. Great exchange in the center, left hook for Ramos answers a spin. Combination by Tsarukyan. Left hook to the body. One minute in. Ramos tries a flying knee and lands a straight right behind it. Hard exchange in center cage. Tsarukyan continuing to circle, landing jabs. Two minutes in. 1-2 lands, left hook. Ramos waves him on and tries a counter a spinning back fist. Tsarukyan lands a double-leg, bails when Ramos threatens a leg. Pressing Ramos against the fence, they separate. Low kick and left hook by Tsarukyan prompt a smirk from Ramos. Two minutes to go.
More leg kicks, front kick attempt. Ramos stuffs a takedown after eating a pair of body shots. Tsarukyan tries a head kick, eats a right hand. Ramos cross counter, chisels the body inside, another cross counter. One minute to go. Combination by Tsarukyan. Body kick. Stiff jab through the guard, Ramos tries to answer with a flurry. Tsarukyan shoots, can’t get the single-leg, tries a head kick. 10-9 Tsarukyan.
Round 3: They’re trading heat to start the round. Ramos puts him on the fence, can’t capitalize. Brief pause for Tsarukyan to fix his cup. Low kick to jab. Ramos still marching after him, waving him on. Wheel kick attempt. Left hook from Tsarukyan. One minute in. Check hook briefly drops Ramos and Tsarukyan presses forward. Jab backs him off, he comes back with a right cross. 1-2-1. Cross counter by Ramos. Low kick met by a Tsarukyan 1-2. Good trade in the center. Two minutes in. Low-high 1-2. Lovely combination, clean head kick. Right hand to head kick. Ramos storms after him, now bloodied. Body jab, body kick. 1-1-2 from Tsarukyan, they trade. Two minutes to go.
Uppercut to left hook prompt Ramos to nod. Brutal counter right. Ramos shoots, denied. Hard left hook catches Ramos throwing. Another heavy left and a spinning back kick to the face by Tsarukyan. They pause to check out the damage to Ramos’ face. One minute to go. Body kick, side kick by Tsarukyan. Ramos blitzes with punches and shoots, but can’t complete it. Tsarukyan takes him to the fence. HE changes levels and Ramos wraps up a guillotine, only for Tsarukyan to pass to side control. Upkick from Ramos after regaining guard. Tsarukyan lets him up and avoids the Hail Mary flying kick. 10-9 Tsarukyan.
Final result: Tsarukyan def. Ramos by unanimous decision
265 lbs.: Carlos Felipe vs. Serghei Spivac
Round 1: Felipe rushes right to the center, then starts slowly advancing. 1-2s blocked, looking for the body. Stiff Spivac jab draws a shake of the head. Felipe swinging some leather early. One minute in. More jabs from Spivac landing as he retreats. Overhand right behind one. Felipe still sending out 1-2s but struggling to land clean. Left hook from Felipe two minutes in met by a nice combination. Glancing overhand lands for Felipe, stung by another jab. Good uppercut and overhand from Spivac as Felipe tries to goad him on. Two minutes to go.
Felipe with a 1-2 downstairs. Stiff jab comes back at him. More jabs, Felipe digs a right to the body and eats another heavy jab. One minute to go. Spivac’s defense holding up so far and he tries a combination. More jabs. Felipe lands a jab and overhand right. 10-9 Spivac.
Round 2: Trading 1s and 2s early. Felipe digs a hook to the body, just misses with an uppercut. He’s aggressive early this round. One minute in. Spivac tries a head kick, lands a jab and right hand as Felipe swings back. Felipe cross counter, 1-2. Spivac changes levels and hauls him to the fence, exiting with an elbow. Two minutes in. Exchanges in the center, good overhand by Spivac and he shoots under a hook. They separate. counter 2-1 from Spivac. Sneaky uppercut. Two minutes to go.
Spivac shoots again, fires a level elbow. Felipe 1-2 and left hook. Combination inside. Nice body kick by Spivac. Nice body shot from Felipe after taking a left hook. Jab upstairs. Spivac sending out jabs, takes a body shot, tries a head kick with a minute to go. Jab to a head kick attempt. Combination lands for him. 10-9 Felipe.
Round 3: More jabs from Spivac. Good entry, looks for the back. Left hands as Felipe tries to stand on the fence. One minute in. Looks for the choke, takes mount on the fence for a moment. Spivac grabs the body lock as Felipe stands and drags him down, then goes back to punching from the turtle position. Two minutes in. Felipe makes it to his feet, still has to fight off a level change and fails to do so as Spivac steps over into mount on the fence. Two minutes to go.
More punches from Spivac, looking for the back. Nasty hammerfists, looking for the choke. Heavy punches. One minute to go. Felipe manages to turn to his back as the ref tells him to defend himself. Elbows now. The punches continue until the bell. 10-8 Spivac.
Final result: Spivac def. Felipe by majority decision