Deiveson Figueiredo and Brandon Moreno both emerged from their respective UFC 255 victories unscathed, both wanted another fight before the end of 2020 and both are getting their wish.
The UFC announced Figueiredo will defend his flyweight title against Moreno in a featured bout at UFC 256 on Dec. 12 at the UFC APEX facility in Las Vegas. It will be the quickest turnaround for a champion/challenger in UFC history.
Challenge accepted.
@Daico_Deiveson looks to make a historic turnaround vs @TheAssassinBaby! #UFC256 pic.twitter.com/KhMPUvpmVy— UFC (@ufc) November 24, 2020
Moreno, 26, picked up a technical knockout victory late in the first round of his 125-pound No. 1 contender’s bout with Brandon Royval in the featured bout on the UFC 255 preliminary card this past weekend. Moreno (18-5-1) is unbeaten in his past six outings and holds a win over Jussier Formiga, the only fighter to beat Figueiredo in MMA.
Several hours after Moreno’s win, Figueiredo submitted Alex Perez with a guillotine choke in just 1:57 in the main event.
“I came in here with no pressure,” Figueiredo said following his first title defence. “I know this is my belt. I know I'm going to be the champion for a long time. I came here to do what I told everybody I'm going to do. I said to everybody, ‘I'm going to finish this fight in the first round,’ and I finished the fight in the first round.”
UNDER TWO MINUTES.
@Daico_Deiveson's legacy is off and running! #UFC255 pic.twitter.com/kCZdnIAtPM— UFC (@ufc) November 22, 2020
Figueiredo (20-1) has been dubbed the saviour of the men’s flyweight division after Demetrious Johnson was transferred to ONE Championship in 2018 and Henry Cejudo left the division in 2019.
“I came here to knock out, to submit everybody,” Figueiredo said. “I want to dominate this division. I want to give a good show for the people.”
The Brazilian champ, who was coming off back-to-back stoppage wins over Joseph Benavidez, figured Moreno would be next in line after Perez.
“I think I'm going to destroy Brandon Moreno, but I want the boss to show the desire to see this fight,” Figueiredo said.
UFC president Dana White certainly was impressed.
“He looked incredible tonight,” White told reporters at UFC 255. “He's fun to watch. He can knock you out. He can submit you. He's got that meanness to him. If you don't like this guy, stop watching fights. You need to find a new hobby if you don't like watching him.”
