Deiveson Figueiredo finished Joseph Benavidez for the second consecutive time this year putting to rest any debate and possible controversy surrounding the UFC flyweight title. The two had previously met in February to fight for the vacant UFC flyweight championship but Figueiredo missed weight. Although he won the fight by TKO — which was accompanied by a controversial clash of heads during the fight — he was ineligible to win the title, so the two ran it back for a second time.
The second time around Figueiredo left nothing to question. The Brazilian overcame a potential COVID-19 scare that threatened his ability to travel and made weight to ensure there'd be no debate following this title fight.
Figueriedo scored three knockdowns all in the first round before locking in a rear naked choke that sent Benavidez to sleep just shy of the second round. Figueriedo came out firing, drilling Benavidez with a right hand that sent him to the canvas. It looked like he would end it there, but Benavidez fought through a number of submission attempts.
Figueriedo scored a second knockdown with 90 seconds left in the round although Benavidez quickly popped back up. It was followed by a third knockdown and this time Figueriedo would not be denied. After pummeling Benavidez with some ground strikes, he locked in the rear naked choke. Benavidez was put to sleep and referee Marc Goddard called a stop to the fight at 4:48 of round one.
After putting in a second impressive performance, there's no doubt that Deiveson Figueiredo is the rightful flyweight champion.