D. Figueiredo (photo) ran over J. Benavidez and won the flyweight belt. Photo: Reproduction/Instagram
The fast among Brazilian men is over. 1141 days later, Brazil once again has a UFC champion. The Pará Deiveson Figueiredo took no notice of Joseph Benavidez and ran over the North American in the fight for the flyweight belt (up to 56,7kg.) in the UFC Fight Island 2, held this Saturday (18), in Abu Dhabi. The man from Pará gave his rival no chance and erased his opponent with a rear naked choke in the first round (click here to watch the finale).
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With the triumph, Figueiredo made history in Brazilian MMA. In addition to ending a long Tupiniquim fast, he became the country's first representative to hold the flyweight belt.
There was a lot of expectation for the Brazilian's performance this weekend. In the first meeting between the athletes, in February, the man from Pará suffered from a weight cut and, despite winning, he was unable to take the belt, as he had failed to meet the scales.
In addition to his obligation to win again, Figueiredo fulfilled a personal challenge against Benavidez. During the week, the Brazilian had stated that he had trained hard to be the first fighter to submit the North American.
The fight
The fight started with Deiveson risking a kick to the American's waistline. Benavidez responded in kind. Figueiredo managed to get closer and connected with a right bomb, which took down the North American. The man from Pará managed to get to his back and tried to lock in a rear naked choke, but Joseph defended himself well. Figueiredo continued to apply pressure, as did his opponent, who remained stunned. Benavidez managed to walk away and the fight was once again fought on his feet. The 'God of War' once again took down his opponent with a cross, but Joseph showed great ability to absorb the attacks. In the final seconds, Deiveson took down the American again with a singular blow. Figueiredo then returned to his back and defeated his opponent with a rear naked choke.
UFC Ilha da Luta 2 results
MAIN CARD
Fly weight: Deiveson Figueiredo finished Joseph Benavidez with a rear naked choke at 4m48s of R1- Fight for the belt
Average weight: Jack hermansson finished Kelvin Gastelum with a heel hook at 1m19s of R1
Lightweight: Raphael Fiziev derrotou Marc Diakiese in the unanimous decision of the judges (30-27, 29-28, 29-28)
Fly weight: Ariane Lipski finished Luana Dread with a kneebar at 1m28s of R1
Fly weight: Askar askarov derrotou Alexandre pantoja in the unanimous decision of the judges (29-28, 29-28, 29-28)
PRELIMINARY CARD
Light Heavyweight: Roman Dolidze derrotou Khadis Ibragimov by technical knockout at 4m15s of R1
Married weight (up to 68kg): Grant dawson derrotou Nad Narimani in the unanimous decision of the judges (30-27,30-26, 29-27)
Lightweight: Joel alvarez finished Joe Duffy with a guillotine 2m25s from R1
Bantamweight: Brett johns derrotou Montel Jackson in the unanimous decision of the judges (29-28, 29-28, 29-28)
Bantamweight: amir albazi finished Malcolm Gordon with a triangle 4m42s from R1
Lightweight: Arman Tsarukyan derrotou Davi ramos in the unanimous decision of the judges (30-27, 30-27, 29-28)
Heavyweight: Sergey Spivak derrotou Carlos Boi in the majority decision of the judges (29-27, 28-28, 29-27)
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