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The Cinderella story of Joseph Benavidez ended more like a nightmare as Deiveson Figueiredo assured no flyweight champion would be crowned at UFC Norfolk.
Deiveson Figueiredo teleported Joseph Benavidez to another dimension with a crunching straight right, ending the fight at UFC Norfolk and leaving the flyweight title vacant.
Deiveson Figueiredo def. Joseph Benavidez via KO at 1:54 of round 2: Catchweight (127.5 lbs)
Figueiredo caught a leg and looked for a takedown. Benavidez scramble well and lifted Figueiredo over his head. Figueiredo looked for an upside-down inverted triangle before settling for an armbar. Benavidez scrambled to no end but that thing was TIGHT. Benavidez managed to escape, eliciting a roar from the Norfolk crowd. Benavidez threw some clubbing shots on the feet. Benavidez looked wide-eyed for most of the round with Figueiredo dictating the pace. The closing minute saw Figueiredo eat multiple haymakers from Joe-B. Close round.
Figueiredo stunned Benavidez with a loud counter right. Benavidez continued to pressure with combinations. A collision of heads split Benavidez’s head open. WOAH! Figueiredo sent Benavidez to the ether with a straight right punch. A few follow-up hammer-fists as insurance. There will be no UFC flyweight champion crowned tonight.
Figueiredo improved his record to 18-1 with the win, dropping Benavidez’s record to 28-6. Since Figueiredo missed weight, the UFC flyweight championship will remain vacant for the forseeable future.