UFC Fight Island 2: Deiveson Figueiredo dominates Joseph Benavidez to finally win title

Deiveson Figueiredo finished Joseph Benavidez to win the flyweight title.

Deiveson Figueiredo defeated Joseph Benavidez via technical submission (rear-naked choke), round 1 – 4:48, at UFC Fight Island 2 on Saturday, July 18, 2020, live from Fight Island on Yas Island in Abu Dhabi, AUE.

In a rematch of their February 2020 fight that saw Figueiredo win by second-round knockout, Figueiredo knocked Benavidez down three times in under five minutes before choking the long-time contender unconscious. Figueiredo is now the undisputed UFC flyweight champion.

“I worked really hard for this, I knew my time was going to come,” the newly-crowned champion said after the fight, through a translator. “I’m going to continue to defend this belt and I’m going to be an active champion.”

Here’s how the fight played out.

Joseph Benavidez vs. Deiveson Figueiredo round 1

After trading kicks on the outside for nearly a minute, Benavidez ate a right hook from Figueiredo that dropped him to the mat. Moments later, Figueiredo worked to the back of Benavidez, attacking rear-naked chokes, nearly securing several before Benavidez worked back to his feet. Back in open space, Benavidez seemed recovered. Figueiredo pressured forward and landed a big right uppercut that briefly put Benavidez on the mat. With 45 seconds remaining, Figueiredo dropped Benavidez for the third time. Figueiredo quickly moved to Benavidez’s back, choking him unconscious with 12 seconds remaining in the round.

Benavidez was a part of the inaugural class of UFC flyweights in 2012. This was Benavidez’s fourth shot at UFC title, losing twice to longtime champion Demetrious Johnson, and to Figueiredo in his last bout.

Figueiredo came into this fight with a 7-1 UFC record, his lone loss coming to Jussier Formiga in March 2019. Although Figueiredo won his first encounter with Benavidez, he failed to make weight for that bout, meaning the UFC flyweight title would remain vacant.

UFC Fight Island 2 took place on Saturday, July 18, 2020, live from Fight Island on Yas Island, Abu Dhabi, United Arab Emirates. Follow along with FanSided for all your live news and highlights.