Deiveson Figueiredo KOs Joseph Benavidez But Remains Without the Title

Deiveson Figueiredo knocked out Joseph Benavidez at UFC Norfolk, but didn’t win the flyweight title due to his previous issues regarding weight. The 32-year old complicated things in this division, and we will yet to see what happens next regarding the championship belt.

Previously, Henry Cejudo decided to abandon this title, mostly due to his inability to fight after recovering from a fight against Marlon Moraes, and desire to remain in the bantamweight division.

FIGUEIREDO ENDS IT IN ROUND 2 😱 😱 #UFCNorfolk pic.twitter.com/1m8FqSO8Tq

— UFC Canada (@UFC_CA) March 1, 2020

After that happened, UFC organized the match between Figueiredo (17-1 MMA, 6-1 UFC) and Benavidez (28-6 MMA, 15-4 UFC). However, the Brazilian hadn’t reached the weight limit, and his win couldn’t bring him the belt. If Benavidez won the bout, the situation would be different, and the American would become the champ. Nevertheless, God of War was in a good mood following the match.

“I am sorry for missing weight, but I told everybody I want to give a big show because you guys deserve a big main event,” Figueiredo stated during the interview in the ring.

He ended the contest at 1:54 inside the second. Following one very nasty body shot, the Brazilian sent a straight right to the rival’s head, which brought him down on the canvas. After that, it was a ground-and-pound situation, and Benavidez didn’t stand any chance of getting out of it.

“I feel like this isn’t real right now,” he said. “A freakin’ nightmare.”

The 35-year old was probably angry at himself as he already avoided early problems when Figueiredo tried to submit him in the first round, getting back into the saddle without consequences. Benavidez somehow ended up back on his feet, changing the momentum in the octagon, and with several solid punches, he forced his opponent to be more defensive-minded and completely neutralized the swing generated during the takedown.

"I feel like this isn't real right now, that I'm in some freakin' nightmare."@JoeJitsu gives his immediate reaction to @bisping after the #UFCNorfolk main event pic.twitter.com/xpOsTdGp2w

— ESPN MMA (@espnmma) March 1, 2020

He wanted to continue in the same manner in the second sequence but got carried away, which cost him eventually.

During one exchange, he and Figueiredo collided with heads, and Benavidez came out from that situation as the loser, earning a big cut on the forehead. After that came the finish described earlier.

For Benavidez, this was the first loss following three wins in a row. Also, after six years of waiting, Joey Two Times, as the fans call him, had a chance to win the title, his third in the UFC. Likeways in the past, he didn’t use it. Demetrious Johnson defeated him twice before, once via split decision and via first-round KO in the rematch. However, he is determined not to give up.

“Everybody’s going through ups and downs,” Benavidez said afterward. “This is mine, on display.”

On the other side, Figueiredo won three in a row, and has 15 finishes in his career. What is next for him, we don’t quite know. Will UFC organize another fight for the vacant flyweight title with him included or not? We just have to wait and see that.

In the co-main event of the night, Felicia Spencer (8-1 MMA, 2-1 UFC) defeated Zarah Fairn (6-4 MMA, 0-2 UFC) via TKO in the first round. The referee in the ring stopped the fight following Spencer’s ferocious ground and pound attack, saving Fairn from suffering additional beating. Spencer indicated after the match that she wants to meet Amanda Nunes, sharing her opinion that there are no better challengers to the Lioness than she is at the moment.

Meanwhile, Nunes replied that she is ready for Spencer and that it is up to the organization to decide about their fight.