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UFC Fight Island 2 live blog: Deiveson Figueiredo vs. Joseph Benavidez

UFC Fight Night: Figueiredo v Benavidez 2 Weigh-in Photo by Jeff Bottari/Zuffa LLC via Getty Images

This is the UFC Fight Island live blog for Deiveson Figueiredo vs. Joseph Benavidez, the flyweight headliner for Saturday’s fight card on Yas Island in Abu Dhabi.

The fight is a rematch five months after Figueiredo knocked out Benavidez but was ineligible to win the belt because he failed to make championship weight.

Check out the UFC Fight Island live blog below.

Round 1: Figueiredo comes right at Benavidez, and the feinting starts for both. A trade of kicks gets them started, and Figueiredo continues to press. Benavidez, hands high, eats a spin kick. In the next exchange, a punch from Figueiredo floors him, and Figueiredo pounces with more punches. Benavidez turns to right himself and escape, and Figueiredo slaps on the rear-naked choke. Somehow, Benavidez escapes the first attempt, and Figueiredo slaps on another. A few tense moments, and Figueiredo tries again. Benavdiez escapes again and gets to the cage. Yet again, Figueiredo appears to have the choke, but Benavidez fights the hands and manages to escape. He stands against the cage, and Figueiredo stays at his back before backing off. Near-finish avoided for Benavdidez, who fires a charging combo to chase off his opponent. Figueiredo just waiting to fire his power punches, and he walks into a combo from Benavidez. Another hard right hand from Figueiredo floors Benavidez, who bounces hup and tries to escape a surge. Figueiredo appears in no rush to finish. Benavidez charges and flurries with punches, and they have little effect. Another right hook floors Benavidez, and Figueiredo mounts and pounds with elbows. Benavidez a bloody mess, and he turns to avoid the choke. Figueiredo slaps on the rear-naked choke, and he cranks with all his might. This time, there’s no getting out: Benavidez is unconscious. It takes ref Marc Goddard a few seconds to realize that, but eventually, he makes the call and the fight is over. Figueiredo is the new flyweight champ.

OFFICIAL RESULT: Deiveson Figueiredo vs. Joseph Benavidez via submission (rear-naked choke) - Round 1, 4:48

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