Peter Casey-USA TODAY Sports
After last weekend’s (Sat., Feb. 29 2020) flyweight title fight between Deiveson Figueiredo and Joseph Benavidez at UFC Fight Night 169 in Norfolk, Virginia left us without a champion, Dana White is looking to run the fight back.
That’s according to Las Vegas Review Journal’s Adam Hill, who got the word straight from the horse’s mouth.
UFC president Dana White says he is leaning toward booking a Benavidez-Figueiredo rematch for the 125-pound title
— Adam Hill (@AdamHillLVRJ) March 3, 2020
Yes, Figueiredo knocked out Benavidez in round number two (see it again here), but since “Deus Da Guerra” failed to make weight, he was ineligible to win the strap. That being said, Benavidez would’ve been crowned the champion had he won.
Still, one can’t negate the fact that an inadvertent headbutt played a big part in the bout, as “Joe B-Wan Kenobi” was busted wide open after the two men clashed heads. Moment’s later, a visibly rocked Benavidez could be seen checking for blood, when Figueiredo took advantage of the situation and delivered a straight right hand that floored his foe, following it up with a few more strikes to earn the win.
Deiveson’s scale fail also cost him plenty of cash in bonus and Reebok money, as well as 30-percent of his purse. All told, the Brazilian bomber lost out on the division title and nearly $100,000, as his knockout performance could’ve been in line to earn a $50,000 “Performance of the Night” bonus.
For his part, Figueiredo is more than happy to run it back to prove he is indeed the best fighter at 125 pounds competing inside the Octagon. And it’s safe to say Benavidez would love another chance to fulfill his own championship dreams.
Hello International Fight Week?