UFC on ESPN+ 30 breakdown: Can Benavidez get even with Figueiredo and finally win a UFC title?

MMA Junkie analyst Dan Tom breaks down the UFC’s top bouts. Today, we look at the main event for UFC on ESPN+ 30.

UFC on ESPN+ 30 takes place Saturday at Yas Island in Abu Dhabi. The event airs on ESPN and streams on ESPN+.

Deivison Figueiredo (18-1 MMA, 7-1 UFC)

Staple info:

Height: 5’5″ Age: 32 Weight: 125 lbs. Reach: 68″
Last fight: TKO win over Joseph Benavidez (Feb. 29, 2020)
Camp: Figueired Team (Brazil)
Stance/striking style: Switch-stance/muay Thai
Risk management: Good

Supplemental info:
+ Regional MMA accolades
+ Regional grappling accolades
+ 9 KO victories
+ 6 submission wins
+ 9 first-round finishes
+ KO power
+ Well-timed right hands/uppercuts
^ Coming forward or off the counter
+ Slicing elbows from multiple ranges
+ Strong inside the clinch
+ Improved wrestling ability
^ Defensively and offensively
+ Works well from topside
^ Devastating ground striker
+ Underrated submission ability
^ Dangerous guillotine choke

Joseph Benavidez (28-6 MMA, 15-4 UFC)

Staple info:

Height: 5’4″ Age: 35 Weight: 125 lbs. Reach: 65″
Last fight: TKO loss to Deivison Figueiredo (Feb. 29, 2020)
Camp: UFC Performance Institute (Las Vegas, NV)
Stance/striking style: Switch-stance/kickboxing
Risk management: Good

Supplemental info:
+ Joe-Jitsu specialist
+ State wrestling champion of New Mexico
+ 8 KO victories
+ 9 submission wins
+ 7 first-round finishes
+ KO power
+ Consistent pace and pressure
+ Good feints and footwork
^ Elusive counters or corralling combos
+ Heavy right hand
+ Hard body and calf kicks
+ Superb scrambling ability
^ Urgent get-ups/great reversals
+ Strong from front-headlock position
^ Threatens guillotines/dictates position
+/- 2-2 in rematches

Point of interest: Striking the second time around

The main event for UFC on ESPN+ 30 features a rematch for the vacant flyweight title.

Before a controversial headbutt arguably helped end the first meeting between Deivison Figueiredo and Joseph Benavidez, we were privy to a fun first round that was packed with intense exchanges and fun scrambles.

Although I was surprised to see all three judges score opposite of Figueiredo and his hard counters and submission attempt, I can also understand how an MMA judge – given their traditional trends towards output – could be swayed by Benavidez’s style.

Among the first of his former Team Alpha Male stable to functionally implement shifts into his footwork, Benavidez has done a bang-up job in regards to adding or adjusting his game so that he can keep up with his contemporaries and the sport itself. In fact, the 14-year vet has smoothly integrated his version of a stick-and-move style in spirit, displaying the ability to hit hard counters from either stance.

Coupled with Benavidez’s patented bodywork and newly-involved calf kicks (something that was clearly in the game plan for Figueiredo the first time), and he remains a fully-fledged threat on the feet. That said, Benavidez’s high-volume approach to offense has shown that it can open him up to hard counters early, something that was prevalent in the first fight with Figueiredo, who fought with a scary composure that night.

Appearing to be a pressure-fighting wildman on the Brazilian regional scene, Figueiredo has seemingly sharpened his style and approach since touching down in the UFC octagon. The 32-year-old contender still relies heavily upon his head and trunk movement but will now add a long-framing defense from both stances, as well as flick out more jabs and straight shots to help establish his range.

This approach both accentuates Figueiredo’s length, as well as entices risky entries from his opposition that open them up for the Brazilian’s powerful counters. Whether he’s unloading counter crosses or uppercuts, Figueiredo demonstrates stellar timing and anticipation to go along with a power that flyweight hasn’t seen since the days of John Lineker.

Should Benavidez slip too slowly or fade to Figueiredo’s power side, then we could see the trajectory of this fight, once again, shift on a dime.

Next point of interest: Giving the grappling another go