A point deduction led to a draw between Deiveson Figueiredo and Brandon Moreno in the main event of UFC 256, leading to a second title defense for Figueiredo.
Deiveson Figueiredo put his flyweight title on the line for the second time in 21 days in the main event of UFC 256. He fought Brandon Moreno, who was 3-0-1 since returning to the UFC last year. In that run of fights, Moreno had wins over Jussier Formiga and Brandon Royval, the latter of which was just three weeks ago.
Figueiredo has been unbelievable since joining the UFC in 2017. The Brazilian was 9-1 in the Octagon heading into his second title defense. The nine wins include four knockouts and three submissions.
Figueiredo wasted no time, throwing a spinning back kick right out of the gate. He stung Moreno with a jab and pushed into a clinch, where Moreno was actually able to get him down, albeit briefly. Figueiredo landed a stiff right hand to the body after returning to the feet. The challenger went to the body in response, keeping his guard high with respect for the champion’s power. Moreno hit a left hand then ate a stiff jab. Moreno swung and missed at a head kick and slipped, but tripped up Figueiredo before he could jump on top. Figueiredo snuck a right hand through then avoided a head kick from Moreno. Hard hooks were landed on both sides, then a head kick from Moreno. Figueiredo landed one of his own, then began pressuring with heavy punches. Moreno was definitely game after the first five minutes.
Figueiredo opened up the second round with another spinning kick and Moreno snapped a jab in response. Figueiredo continued to walk Moreno down, then landed a clean right straight. A double jab found the mark for the champion, who was taken down after going for an elbow. Figueiredo then accidentally poked the eye of Moreno pausing the action. They resumed in guard and Figueiredo initiated a scramble that brought them back to the feet. Once they stood up, Figueiredo landed a slick combination that bloodied the challenger. A body kick for Figueiredo was answered by a right hand from Moreno. A combination stung Moreno, who had the wherewithal to take Figueiredo down. The champion got up and snapped Moreno’s head back with a straight right before the end of the round.
THE LEVEL OF THIS FIGHT 🤯
Figueiredo stuns Moreno but he returns IMMEDIATELY with the takedown. #UFC256 pic.twitter.com/BfvXIYDo4k
— UFC (@ufc) December 13, 2020
Figueiredo landed a big overhand right to start the third round, then Moreno fired back with a head kick and a right hand. Figueiredo began ripping shots to the body and followed up with an elbow up top. Moreno clinched up with the champion to slow him down, but wasn’t able to take him down. Moreno pumped out a jab after they separated and avoided the heavy hooks of Figueiredo. Left hooks were exchanged then a combination landed for Moreno. He was clocked by a left hand but stayed in the pocket. As Moreno was moving forward he was caught by a heavy kick below the belt that resulted in a point being taken from the champion. Moreno needed two minutes to recover, then was taken down when they got back to business. The challenger worked his way back up and landed a combination. An overhand right landed for Moreno near the end of the round followed by a quick left.
OOOH 😱 @TheAssassinBaby may have just stolen RD 3! #UFC256 pic.twitter.com/zoUY9O7ETi
— UFC (@ufc) December 13, 2020
A knee to the body for the champion opened up the fourth round and he began establishing his jab. Moreno landed multiple body-head combos that were absolutely beautiful followed by a head kick that staggered the champion. Figueiredo began working for a takedown, but was reversed and ended up on his back. Figueiredo popped up and landed a slick combination, then was rocked by a slew of punches from the challenger. He went for a takedown to slow things down and got back to work. A huge right hand landed for Figueiredo against the cage, but Moreno bounced off the fence and took the champion down. Figueiredo got back up and they continued to trade with wild exchanges to close out the fourth round.
WE ARE NOT WORTHY OF THIS FIGHT 🤯 WHAT IS HAPPENING!? #UCF256 pic.twitter.com/WFYWDxLOmY
— UFC (@ufc) December 13, 2020
It was a slower start to the final round, until 30 seconds in when Figueiredo threw a trio of kicks. A combination followed for the champion then a big left hand. The strategy became loading up on power shots for Figueiredo while Moreno slowed down his output, presumably due to an arm injury. Moreno landed a pair of left hands. Figueiredo was able to get Moreno on the ground late in the round, landing some ground-and-pound to cap off a wild 25 minutes in the main event of UFC 256.
Deiveson Figueiredo and Brandon Moreno Fight to a Majority Draw (47-47 x2, 48-46)
