Why Brandon Moreno and Deiveson Figueiredo Are Fighting for a 4th Time for UFC Flyweight Title

Why Brandon Moreno and Deiveson Figueiredo Are Fighting for a 4th Time for UFC Flyweight Title

Byron Pillay
updated at April 12, 2023 at 8:23 PM
  • Deiveson Figueiredo last fought in January 2022 when he beat Brandon Moreno
  • Moreno became interim UFC Flyweight Champion after beating Kai Kara-France
  • Figueiredo and Moreno have fought three times, with one win each and one draw

Deiveson Figueiredo and Brandon Moreno are looking to settle the debate over who the best flyweight in the UFC is.

The respective Brazilian and Mexican fighters have clashed on three previous occasions and are getting ready for a historic fourth fight at UFC 283.

The two fighters each hold a victory over the other, with a third bout ending in draw.

Brandon Moreno, Deiveson Figueiredo, Fighting, 4th Time, UFC Flyweight Title, Brazil, Mexico, Sport, World, MMA, Kai Kara-France
Deiveson Figueiredo and Brandon Moreno are looking to settle the debate over who the best flyweight in the UFC is. Image: Mike Roach.
Source: Getty Images

Here's how Moreno and Figueiredo's previous bouts played out.

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A draw in December 2020

On December 12, 2020, the two fighters met for the first time in the UFC. They competed in the main event of UFC 256 for the Flyweight title and produced one of the greatest fights in the history of the organisation.

After 25 minutes of hard-hitting action, neither man could finish the fight and the judges were called in to make a decision.

The judges declared the fight a majority draw, with two judges scoring it 47-47, UFC confirmed. It was decided that both men would have to fight again and they did so just six months later.

Moreno wins by submission

After a close first flight, many expected much of the same, but it was Moreno who stole the show. The Mexican fighter took control of the fight from the opening bell and never looked back.

He dropped Figueiredo in the first round with a well-placed jab and showed off his submission game in the second round. In the third round, he locked in a rear naked choke to make the champion tap out.

Moreno became the first Mexican fighter to win a UFC title in the process.

Figueiredo gets his revenge

The Brazilian was looking to get a measure of revenge against the Mexican and got the chance to do so at UFC 270. The pair met once again in January 2022 and produced another instant classic.

The match went the distance once again, but this time the judges felt that Figueiredo did enough to win the belt back. The fight was not without controversy, though, as the judges' scorecards raised more questions than answers.

Brandon Moreno, Deiveson Figueiredo, Fighting, 4th Time, UFC Flyweight Title, Brazil, Mexico, Sport, World, MMA, Kai Kara-France
Deiveson Figueiredo is declared the winner after his third fight against Brandon Moreno for the UFC title. Image: Chris Unger.
Source: Getty Images

Why a fourth fight?

Following his victory, Figueiredo took time away from the UFC to deal with a few injuries. He didn't compete for the rest of the year, but Moreno did.

The Mexican fought Kai Kara-France for the interim Flyweight title at UFC 277. His victory therefore set up a clash with Figueiredo once again, to crown an Undisputed Flyweight Champion in Brazil.

Speaking about the upcoming fight, Moreno admitted he wasn't a big fan of the Brazilian, SportBible reported.

"As an athlete, I have a lot of respect for him. He's tough and a real fighter. But as a human being, even after three fights, he's still talking bad about me on social media and in every single interview. He's even tried to lie about me before."

Moreno added that he would still show respect and try and shake Figueiredo's hand after beating him, but he wasn't sure if his opponent would want to.

UFC 283 will take place on January 21, live from Brazil.

UFC 283 heads to Brazil

The UFC will look to crown a new Light-Heavyweight Champion and an undisputed Flyweight Champion at UFC 283.

The organisation will head to Brazil for the first pay-per-view of the year, where former champion, Glover Teixeira and Jamahal Hill will fight for the title.

Mexico's Brandon Moreno and Brazil's Deiveson Figueiredo will also meet to determine the Undisputed Flyweight Champion, Sports Brief reported.

Authors
Byron Pillay photo
Byron Pillay
Byron Pillay is a sports writer and Head of the Department at Sports Brief (joined in 2022) with over 10 years of experience in community journalism and a degree in journalism from Caxton's Cadet School.
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