The UFC is in Virginia this weekend for UFC Norfolk, where the promotion will finally crown a new flyweight champion.
It’s been over a year since Henry Cejudo last defended his flyweight title. The man who dethroned “Mighty Mouse” arguably saved the division, sparking life into a weight class that had been struggling. Yet after a triumphant defense against T.J. Dillashaw in January 2019, Cejudo turned his gaze to banatmweight, capturing a second belt last June. He has not fought since, on the sidelines dealing with injury. With a 135lb title fight against Jose Aldo planned for his return, something had to give.
Enter longtime flyweight contender Joseph Benavidez, who will finally get another chance at gold in the wake of Cejudo relinquishing the 125lb champion. Opposite him, dangerous Brazilian Deiveson Figueiredo. The pair will throw down for the vacant belt atop the UFC Norfolk card.
Also in the spotlight in Norfolk, the women’s featherweight division. Or lack thereof. Essentially the entire weight class was in action in Norfolk, outside of champ Amanda Nunes. Felicia Spencer was set to face Zarah Fairn dos Santos in the evening’s co-main event, while Megan Anderson was paired up with the debuting Norma Dumont.
UFC Norfolk
The morning weigh-in was a perfectly orderly affair for most of the weigh-in window. Every fighter hitting the scales hit the mark, and only Zarah Fairn needed a barrier, though her initial weigh-in came in shorts and a shirt. It wasn’t until Grant Dawson stepped on the scale that things hit a snag, as he came in 3.5lbs over the featherweight limit. Then, a bigger catastrophe: Deiveson Figueiredo, one half of the flyweight title fight in the main event, missed championship weight by 2.5lbs.
While Dawson chose not to continue his weight cut, Figueiredo was given an hour to cut the final 2.5lbs. That gave him until 11:45AM ET to hit the mark. However, just past 11AM, word came that the Brazilian was done cutting weight. The fight will move forward, but only Benavidez will be eligible to win the title. Figueiredo will also give up 30% of his purse.
The official weigh-in for UFC Norfolk was set to go down Friday morning — check back from live results as they happen!
UFC Norfolk: Benavidez vs. Figueiredo Weigh-In Results:
Flyweight: Joseph Benavidez (124.5) vs. Deiveson Figueiredo (127.5)** – for the vacant UFC flyweight championship
Women’s Featherweight: Felicia Spencer (145) vs. Zarah Fairn dos Santos (146)
Light Heavyweight: Ion Cuțelaba (204.5) vs. Magomed Ankalaev (204.5)
Women’s Featherweight: Megan Anderson (145) vs. Norma Dumont Viana (146)
Featherweight: Grant Dawson (149.5)* vs. Darrick Minner (145.5)
Preliminary card (ESPN+)
Bantamweight: Gabriel Silva (135.5) vs. Kyler Phillips (135.5)
Middleweight: Brendan Allen (185.5) vs. Tom Breese (185)
Heavyweight: Marcin Tybura (246) vs. Sergey Spivak (234)
Lightweight: Luis Peña (154.5) vs. Steve Garcia (155)
Featherweight: Jordan Griffin (145) vs. T.J. Brown (145.5)
Featherweight: Aalon Cruz (145.5) vs. Spike Carlyle (145.5)
Welterweight: Ismail Naurdiev (170) vs. Sean Brady (170)
*Dawson missed the featherweight limit by 3.5lbs. He did not continue to cut weight
**Deiveson Figueiredo missed the flyweight championship limit by 2.5lbs and was given one hour to continue his weight cut. He did not make a second attempt. Fight will move forward, Figueiredo will forfeit 30% of his purse.
