Free Fight: Figueiredo Smashes Benavidez, Still Goes Home Without A Title

Photo by Josh Hedges/Zuffa LLC via Getty Images

Joseph Benavidez and Deiveson Figueiredo will run it back for the vacant Flyweight title this Sat. night (July 18, 2020) at UFC Fight Island 2, live from inside Flash Forum Arena on Yas Island in Abu Dhabi, United Arab Emirates.

Before then, let’s take a trip back to see how their first encounter unfolded earlier this year. The two faced off in the main event of UFC Fight Night 169 in February for the vacant strap after former UFC champ-champ, Henry Cejudo, was stripped of the title.

Before the fight, though, disaster struck as Figueiredo missed weight by 2.5 pounds, making him ineligible to win the title. But that didn’t stop the Brazilian bomber’s determination to get the win. After all, he was still fighting for the second half of his check and hoped to earn some type of redemption after his scale fail.

Things got off to a furious pace, as Figueiredo was quick to attempt an armbar after the two got tangled up after an early takedown. Once back on the feet, Benavidez tried his best to land his power shots, though Figueredo – who looked an entire weight class bigger than Joseph – did well to counter-attack.

In round two, Figueiredo started cracking Benavidez with hard shots. During an exchange in the center of the cage, the two men accidentally clashed heads, opening up Benavidez on his forehead. A few seconds later, Figueiredo tagged “Joe Jitsu” with a strike straight down the pipe, sending him crashing to the canvas. From there it was pretty much elementary, as Deiveson pounced on his fallen foe and stopped the fight with vicious hammerfists.

Now, “Daico” will look to go up 2-0 against Benavidez, this time fulfilling his championship dreams. For Joseph, it’s his chance to not only get some much-desired revenge but his first taste of UFC gold after three previous failed attempts.

To see that entire fight card and line up for “Figueiredo vs Benavidez 2” click here.