UFC Fight Island 2 Results Figueiredo mauls Benavidez
One of the worst championship maulings occurred Saturday night at UFC Fight Island 2 as Deiveson FigueiredoleftJoseph Benavidez unconscious to claim vacant flyweight gold.
During what resembled a back alley mugging more so than an MMA encounter, Figueiredo outlanded Benavidez 40-22 -including two key overhand knockdowns which bred three rear-naked choke attempts.
While 35-year-old Joseph Benavidez narrowly escaped initial submission offerings, the third “Deus Da Guerra” squeeze produced an indelible image of Benavidez’ bloodied face and rolling pupils as he lost consciousness.
The main event end came at 4:48 of round one. After TKO’ing “Beefcake,” 32-year-old Figueiredo claimed Henry Cejudo’s forfeited belt and completed two 2020 stoppages of Benavidez.
The newest flyweight ruler carries four straight wins and an 8-1 UFC record. Conversely, time has kept Benavidez from his 16-year championship goal. Always a bridesmaid, Benavidez is 0-4 when vying for top honors.
Judging from UFC Fight Island 2, Deiveson Figueiredo is a 125 lb force and Benavidez is done at the elite level.
Saturday's co-main featured a brief skirmish between contending middleweights Jack Hermansson and Kelvin Gastelum.
Hermannson leveraged a botched takedown by locking Gastellum into a fight-ending heel hook at 1:10 of round one. Just like that, "The Joker" won his fifth UFC battle in six tries. Meanwhile, punching above his weight against non-faded 185 pounders, Gastelum dropped his third straight after beating Jacare Souza and Michael Bisping.
Expect featured stakes next for 32-year-old Hermannson. Also, look for a welterweight return from Kelvin Gastelum.
Fight three produced a game day performance from underdog Rafael Fiziev. The 27-year-old Khazak opened eyes by establishing early dominance vs. touted Marc Diakiese.
To open their Fight of the Night encounter, Fiziev landed powerful strikes coming ahead before securing a takedown. From there, the aggressive Muay Thai disciple kept Diakese prone. As Fiziev let each leg kick and chin-check become scorecard currency, streaking Diakese reverted to old form after winning two consecutive to dull three failed outings.
In total, "Ataman" outlanded "Boncrusher" 82-73 to secure another win to further distance from a forgettable Octagon debut. The theme of fight three became assertiveness. Fiziev fought bold while Diakese appeared weak and ill prepared.
Women's division action saw "Queen of Violence" Ariane Lipski elicit gut curdling screams from Luana Carolina via submission in an all Brazilian affair.
The end came at 1:27 of round one as Lipski pried Carolina's leg back from mount in a wicked knee bar which forced the latter to tap and writhe for minutes afterward.
Lipski now claims two straight Octagon wins and her ninth paid stoppage. Carolina is 1-1 after initial UFC success.
The main card opened with Askar Askarov edging dangerous Alexandre Pantoja to remain UFC unbeaten.
Askarov jumped early, taking Pantoja to the mat and ended with enough grappling momentum to secure the biggest win of his career. Overall, Askarov likely earned top-five flyweight status at UFC Fight Island 2. For his trouble, Pantoja lost for the second time in three outings.
To set up an entertaining championship ESPN + Octagon offering, Saturday night's undercard results are as follows:
Roman Dolidze TKO vs. Khadis Ibragimov
Grant Dawson decision win vs. Nad Niramani
Joel Alvarez submission win vs. Joe Duffy
Brett Johns decision win vs. Montel Jackson
Amir Albazi submission win vs. Malcolm Gordon
Arman Tsarukyan decision win vs. Davi Ramos
Serghei Spivak decision win vs. Carlos Felipe
