Brandon Moreno taps out Deiveson Figueiredo to become first UFC champion from Mexico
Brandon Moreno forced Deiveson Figueiredo to tap to a rear-naked choke in round two, becoming the first Mexican-born UFC champion at UFC 263 on Saturday, June 12.
Moreno controlled the first two rounds, especially on the feet. “The Assassin Baby” even rocked Figueiredo in the first round in Glendale, Arizona.
In the third round, Moreno scored a takedown and immediately took the back of Figueiredo. Figueiredo defended an early rear-naked choke attempt and then took some punishment from the left hand of Moreno.
Moreno sunk in another rear-naked choke later, forcing the former flyweight champ to tap. The 125-pound division has. anew king.
🇲🇽🇲🇽🇲🇽 VIVA MEXICO 🇲🇽🇲🇽🇲🇽
🏆 @TheAssassinBaby LEFT NO DOUBT!!!!! #UFC263 pic.twitter.com/rJoEn1OXQE
— UFC (@ufc) June 13, 2021
Deiveson Figueiredo vs. Brandon Moreno Preview
Over three years since their first meeting, UFC middleweight champion Israel Adesanya meets challenger Marvin Vettori again at UFC 263 on Saturday, June 12.
It is the first of two title fights as the flyweight king Deiveson Figueiredo rematches Brandon Moreno in the co-main event inside Gila River Arena in Glendale, Arizona.
Figueiredo left with the title after the pair fought to a draw 256 last December. The Brazilian became the champion by stopping Joseph Benavidez via first-round submission at UFC Fight Night 172 in July. He made his first title defense by submitting Alex Perez in the first round at UFC 255 last November.
Moreno is on a six-fight unbeaten streak, including four wins and two draws. He rattled off three-consecutive victories over Brandon Royval, Jussier Formiga and Kai Kara France to earn his title shot.
Here is how the flyweight title bout between Israel Deiveson Figueiredo and Brandon Moreno went down at UFC 263, including round-by-round scoring. For full results of the event, check them out right here.
Brandon Moreno chokes Deiveson Figueiredo
ROUND 1
Figueiredo comes center, Moreno pops double jabs early, Figueiredo drops back. Figueiredo taking time. Moreno lands a leg kick. Moreno lands a jab. Figueiredo is slow to start, while Moreno is more active early on. Figueiredo eats a jab. Moreno lands another jab, then goes to the body. Moreno lands a left hand, Figueiredo clinches immediately. They separate. Figueiredo being a lot less active. Moreno has thrown over 40 strikes, where Figueiredo is at six with about two minutes to go. Moreno drops Figueiredo with a jab. Moreno is on top of Figueiredo. Figueiredo is able to seclude the arm and use it to get to his feet. Moreno throws head kick. Both men standing. Moreno off to a quick start.
MyMMANews scores it 10-9 for Moreno
ROUND 2
Both men reach the center. The two start swinging. Figueiredo shoots and scores the takedown. Figueiredo lands short punches to the body. Figueiredo is looking for a choke, Moreno defending. Moreno scrambles, up kicks, but Figueiredo looks for another choke. Moreno is out and works his way up. Moreno is on his feet and controlling behind Figueiredo. Moreno lands knees to the back of the champs’ legs. Moreno gets a takedown and looks for a choke. Figueiredo turns his body and is on his back. Moreno is in full guard. Figueiredo land short elbows from his back, Moreno ends round in the top position. Moreno has a cut over his left eye.
MyMMANews scores it 20-18 for Moreno
ROUND 3
Moreno is center. Moreno works the jab. Figueiredo lands a spinning back kick tot he body. Moreno lands a left hand. Moreno counters nicely against Figueiredo. Moreno scores another takedown and takes the back. Moreno gets int he body triangle and looks for the choke. Figueiredo defends. Moreno lands punches tot he head. Moreno sinks in another rear-naked choke. Figueiredo is forced to tap. Moreno is the new UFC flyweight champion.
Official result: Brandon Moreno def. Deiveson Figueiredo via submission [Rear-naked choke] at 2:26 in round 3.
With the win, Brandon Moreno becomes the UFC’s first ever champion from Mexico.
