Deiveson Figueiredo left no doubt on Saturday night as to who is the top flyweight in the UFC.
Figueiredo knocked down Joseph Benavidez three times in the first round and finished the fight late in the round with a rear-naked choke to capture the vacant flyweight championship in Abu Dhabi, United Arab Emirates.
This fight was a rematch of their bout on Feb. 29, which was supposed to be for the title. Figueiredo stopped Benavidez in the second round that night but was ineligible to claim the belt because he did not make the 125-pound limit.
While that fight was competitive, Saturday night's bout wasn't. Figueiredo put on a spectacular performance, one that had numerous UFC fighters taking to social media to heap praise on the new champion.
Deiveson Figueiredo is the man!!!! Holy cow. Dude is the real deal! @daico_desdaguerra
— Daniel Cormier (@dc_mma) July 19, 2020
Wow Figiueredo crushed him!!! Damn
— Funky (@Benaskren) July 19, 2020
Congrats 🍾 to the second interim UFC champ this week @deivesonfigueiredo #UFCFightIsland2
— Henry Cejudo (@HenryCejudo) July 19, 2020
Parabéns 👏🏼👏🏼👏🏼👏🏼👏🏼👏🏼 Deiveson Figueiredo.
— Amanda Nunes (@Amanda_Leoa) July 19, 2020
Congrats champ Deivison Figueiredo! Amazing performance
— Paulo Costa ( Borrachinha ) (@BorrachinhaMMA) July 19, 2020
#AndNew @Daico_Deiveson wow what a performance 👏🏾👏🏾👏🏾🇧🇷🇧🇷🇧🇷 #UFCFightIsland2
— GILBERT BURNS DURINHO (@GilbertDurinho) July 19, 2020
Brutal finish by Figueiredo #UFCFightIsland
— Rafael dos Anjos (@RdosAnjosMMA) July 19, 2020
That's a vicious flyweight if I've ever seen one ! DAMN #UFCFightIsland2
— Derek Brunson (@DerekBrunson) July 19, 2020
Some of Benavidez's peers took to Twitter to express their disappointment at his loss. Benavidez is considered to be very well-liked, and at 35 years old, his title shot Saturday night might have been his last.
The former flyweight king sent a message of support to Joseph Benavidez after #UFCFightIsland2
— ESPN MMA (@espnmma) July 19, 2020
(via @MightyMouse) pic.twitter.com/FAJve08PO2
I've always considered @JoeJitsu to be a mentor of mine ever since the TUF days. Very thoughtful man that always shares his knowledge and gives sound advice. Keep your head up Joe, we love you. #UFCFightIsland2
— Michael Chiesa (@MikeMav22) July 19, 2020
Ahh man. Gutted Joey B. Ref gave him his chances to stay in the fight as well. #UFCFightIsland2 #TheWeeklyScraps
— Aljamain Sterling (@funkmasterMMA) July 19, 2020
Pure savagery from Figueiredo from start to finish! We officially have a new Flyweight Champ 👏🏻👏🏻
— Megan Anderson (@MeganA_mma) July 19, 2020
Hard to see Joe B go down like that 🥺 #UFCFightIsland2
Damn gutted for joe, really would have like to see him do it. @ufc
— Ray Borg (@tazmexufc) July 19, 2020
I feel like the super villain just beat the super hero. My heart is crushed, but I love joe and I'm always proud of him! #UFCFightIsland
— Julian marquez (@JMarquezMMA) July 19, 2020
