Once again, at UFC on ESPN+ 27 Saturday night in Norfolk, the UFC flyweight title eluded the grasp of Joseph Benavidez (28-6-0).
Although Benavidez was highly favoured in the main event, No. 3 Deiveson Figueiredo (18-1-0) went out and finished him off in less than three rounds. The first round was competitive, but then in the second round, two briefly clashed heads, but then Figueiredo landed a right that dropped Benavidez. Follow up strikes forced referee Dan Miragliotta to call the bout at 1:54.
Benavidez was devastated talking to Michael Bisping in the post-fight octagon interview.
“I feel like this isn’t real right now, that I’m in some freakin’ nightmare,” Benavidez said. “Everyone is going through ups and downs everywhere, this is mine, it’s on display. Lucky to be alive I guess, but I worked my ass off for that and it didn’t go great.”
💰#UFCNorfolk POTN winners! pic.twitter.com/iHLp4FG7hG
— UFC (@ufc) March 1, 2020
Jordan Griffin and Megan Anderson earned performances of the night, while Kyler Phillips and Gabriel Silva earned Fight of the Night. Each fighter earned a $50,000 USD bonus.
💰These BWs put on a show! #UFCNorfolk @Kymatrix @gabrielsilvamma @ToyoTires pic.twitter.com/oxfUvJ6tOA
— UFC (@ufc) March 1, 2020
Kenai Andrews checks in with his thoughts on the main card.
In case you missed the prelims:
SEAN BRADY DEF. ISMAIL NAURDIEV VIA UD (29-28, 29-28, 30-27)
SPIKE CARLYLE DEF. AAION CRUZ VIA TKO (PUNCHES) R1 1:25
Jordan Griffin DEF. T.J. BROWN VIA TECH SUBMISSION (GUILLOTINE CHOKE) R2 3:38
LUIS PENA DEF. STEVE GARCIA VIA UD (30-27, 30-27, 30-27)
MARCIN TYBURA DEF. SERGEY SPIVAK VIA UD (30-27, 30-27, 29-28)
BRENDAN ALLEN DEF. TOM BREESE VIA TKO (PUNCHES AND ELBOWS) R1 4:47
KYLER PHILLIPS DEF. GABRIEL SILVA VIA UD (30-27, 30-27, 30-27)
MAIN CARD
GRANT DAWSON VS. DARRICK MINER
Submission finish for @DawsonGrant20y1! #UFCNorfolk pic.twitter.com/sLaCSvgXek
— UFC (@ufc) March 1, 2020
WINNER: GRANT DAWSON VIA SUBMISSION (RNC) R2 1:38
ANDREWS PREDICTION: GRANT DAWSON VIA UD
Andrews: Good win for Dawson, but he missed weight.
MEGAN ANDERSON VS. NORMA DUMONT
OH MY! @MeganA_mma finishes it w/ the right hand! #UFCNorfolk pic.twitter.com/QPC02CqsJ2
— UFC (@ufc) March 1, 2020
WINNER: MEGAN ANDERSON VIA KO (PUNCH) R1 3:31
ANDREWS PREDICTION: MEGAN ANDERSON VIA UD
Andrews: Congrats to Anderson for leaving no doubt with the right hand.
ION CUTELABA VS. MAGOMED ANKALAEV
Woah! Controversial finish at #UFCNorfolk 👀 pic.twitter.com/5rDDr9lMVV
— UFC (@ufc) March 1, 2020
WINNER: MAGOMED ANKALAEV VIA TKO (STRIKES) R1 0:38
ANDREWS PREDICTION: MAGOMED ANKALAEV VIA UD
Andrews: I thought referee Kevin MAcDonald could have let the fight go on. Too early.
FELICIA SPENCER VS. ZARAH FAIRN
1️⃣and done for @FeeNom479! #UFCNorfolk
📺Watch it live on ESPN+ pic.twitter.com/LpDBBEI2Iz
— UFC (@ufc) March 1, 2020
WINNER: FELICIA SPENCER VIA TKO (ELBOWS AND PUNCHES) R1 3:37
ANDREWS PREDICTION: FELICIA SPENCER VIA SUBMISSION
Andrews: As expected, Spencer went out there and dominated Zairn. Great win.
MAIN EVENT
JOSEPH BENAVIDEZ VS. #3 DEIVESON FIGUEIREDO
🇧🇷@Daico_Deiveson gets it done at #UFCNorfolk pic.twitter.com/4VfZ9ugAj2
— UFC (@ufc) March 1, 2020
WINNER: DEIVESON FIGUEIREDO VIA TKO (PUNCHES) R2 1:54
ANDREWS PREDICTION: JOSEPH BENAVIDEZ VIA SUBMISSION
Andrews: Wow! I watched Benavidez lose to Demetrius Johnson cageside the first time he fought for the belt. This has to hurt badly with your wife watching. Congrats to Deiveson Figueiredo, but you missed weight, bro. Make the weight and do it again.
