Deiveson Figueiredo

Deiveson “Deus da Guerra” Figueiredo, 32, of Soure, Para, Brazil was crowned the new champion of the Ultimate Fighting Championship in the flyweight division on Yas Island in Abu Dhabi, United Arab Emirates. The Brazilian mixed martial artist earned the title at “UFC Fight Night 172.”

Also called “UFC on ESPN+ 30,” “UFC Fight Night 172”  featured 12 MMA matches on the UFC Fight Island on Yas Island on July 19, 2020 in the UAE or July 18, 2020 in the United States. In the main event, Figueiredo and Joseph Benavidez, 35, of Sacramento, California, USA competed for the UFC Flyweight Championship title, which Henry “The Messenger” Cejudo, 33, of Phoenix, Arizona, USA vacated on February 29, 2020.

It was a rematch between Figueiredo and Benavidez. Marc Goddard served as the referee.

Goddard put a stop to the title bout after 4 minutes and 48 seconds. In the end, he raised the hand of Figueiredo, who was declared the winner via technical submission via rear-naked choke.

This makes Figueiredo the third MMA fighter to hold the UFC Flyweight Championship belt. In his first encounter with Benavidez at “UFC Fight Night 169” on February 29, 2020, the Brazilian contender knocked out his Californian opponent.

Figueiredo is now riding a four-bout winning streak. Winning at “UFC Fight Night 172” improved the Brazilian MMA fighter’s professional MMA record to 19 wins and 1 loss.

On the other hand, Benavidez now has 28 wins and 7 losses. The Sacramento native is now riding a two-bout losing streak.

“UFC Fight Night 172” was the third UFC event to take place on the UFC Fight Island during the new coronavirus (COVID-19) pandemic. A total of 17 countries were represented namely Armenia, Brazil, Canada, the DR Congo, England, Georgia, Iraq, Ireland, Kyrgyzstan, Moldova, Norway, Russia, Spain, Sweden, Ukraine, the U.S. and Wales.

Figueiredo was one of the six fighters who represented Brazil. Benavidez was one of the four representatives of the U.S.