What will Deiveson Figueiredo and Brandon Moreno do for an encore?
The two flyweights battled to a fast-paced, strike-filled majority draw in the main event of UFC 256 Saturday night. A critical element was a point deduction to Figueiredo for a groin strike and previous eye pokes in the third round that otherwise would have had the champion ahead on the scorecards.
WE ARE NOT WORTHY OF THIS FIGHT 🤯 WHAT IS HAPPENING!? #UCF256 pic.twitter.com/WFYWDxLOmY
— UFC (@ufc) December 13, 2020
#UFC256 Official Scorecard: Deiveson Figueiredo vs Brandon Moreno
All Scorecards: https://t.co/KDmku3KJi2 pic.twitter.com/2JHaQbWehS
— UFC News (@UFCNews) December 13, 2020
Many experts branded it the greatest UFC flyweight bout of all time afterwards.
UFC president Dana White indicated in the post-fight press conference of a rematch.
https://twitter.com/ufc/status/1338009186693615616?s=20
Figueiredo and Moreno secured Fight of the Night, while Kevin Holland and Rafael Fiziev earned performances of the night. Each fighter earned a $50,000 USD bonus.
Kenai Andrews checks in with his thoughts on the main card.
UFC FIGHT PASS PRELIMS
CHASE HOOPER VS. PETER BARRETT
Ladies and gentlemen, HE GOT HIM 👏@Chase_Hooper with a stunning comeback to open the night. #UFC256 pic.twitter.com/OxRnjpiPyA
— UFC (@ufc) December 13, 2020
WINNER: CHASE HOOPER VIA SUBMISSION (HEEL HOOK) R3 3:02
ANDREWS PREDICTION: CHASE HOOPER VIA UD
Andrews: Hooper pulled off that heel hook after getting bettered for two and a half rounds. Well done.
#10 TECIA TORRES VS. SAM HUGHES
INTENSITY LEVEL: 💯@TeciaTorres turned it all on to close round one! #UFC256 pic.twitter.com/O8V2sN3OrX
— UFC (@ufc) December 13, 2020
WINNER: TECIA TORRES VIA TKO (DOCTOR’S STOPPAGE) R1 5:00
ANDREWS PREDICTION: TECIA TORRES VIA UD
Andrews: Good striking by Torres. Too much volume and a nice slam at the end.
GAVIN TUCKER VS. BILLY QUARANTILLO
Caught him up top 🇨🇦 @GavinTucker6 ends round one with an exclamation! #UFC256 pic.twitter.com/b2rgj6Wa1Z
— UFC (@ufc) December 13, 2020
WINNER: GAVIN TUCKER VIA UD (30-27, 30-27, 30-27)
ANDREWS PREDICTION: GAVIN TUCKER VIA UD
Andrews: Tucker made the necessary adjustments to outwork Billy. Good win.
CUB SWANSON VS. DANIEL PINEDA
KILLER CUB IS BACK 😤 #UFC256 pic.twitter.com/9GZZKx3mrQ
— UFC (@ufc) December 13, 2020
WINNER: CUB SWANSON VIA TKO (PUNCHES) R2 1:52
ANDREWS PREDICTION: CUB SWANSON VIA UD
Andrews: Give credit to Cub for making a statement here.
#7 JUNIOR DOS SANTOS VS. #14 CIRYL GANE
Hou la la!
🇫🇷 @Ciryl_Gane is forreal, folks! #UFC256 pic.twitter.com/eAlmE9J2OC
— UFC (@ufc) December 13, 2020
WINNER: CIRYL GANE VIA TKO (ELBOWS) R2 2:34
ANDREWS PREDICTION: CIRYL GANE VIA SUBMISSION
Andrews: Gane showed us that he can put you away with strikes. Junior is on the bubble with four straight finish losses.
#15 KEVIN HOLLAND VS. RONALDO SOUZA
https://twitter.com/ufc/status/1337969247646085122?s=20
WINNER: KEVIN HOLLAND VIA KO (PUNCHES) R1 1:45
ANDREWS PREDICTION: KEVIN HOLLAND VIA UD
Andrews: Wow! That was unbelievable. Jacare, please retire.
RENATO MOICANO VS. RAFAEL FIZIEV
Lightweight has a new threat in @RafaelFiziev 🇰🇬 #UFC256 pic.twitter.com/nET3H8zMu8
— UFC (@ufc) December 13, 2020
WINNER: RAFAEL FIZIEV VIA KO (PUNCHES) R1 4:05
ANDREWS PREDICTION: RENATO MOICANO VIA UD
Andrews: Good push by Rafael to nail the combo and put this one to bed.
#11 MACKENZIE DERN VS. #13 VIRNA JANDIROBA
Closed strong!
🇧🇷@MackenzieDern throws down for the UD at #UFC256. pic.twitter.com/oMl9njaRGE
— UFC (@ufc) December 13, 2020
WINNER: MACKENZIE DERN VIA UD (29-28, 29-28, 29-28)
ANDREWS PREDICTION: MACKENZIE DERN VIA SUBMISSION
Andrews: Nice scrap. Verna will need to improve her striking, just like Dern.
#3 TONY FERGUSON VS. #7 CHARLES OLIVEIRA
OMG! HOW DIDN'T TONY TAP!? #UFC256 pic.twitter.com/o6lonK9Q1R
— UFC (@ufc) December 13, 2020
WINNER: CHARLES OLIVIERA VIA UD (30-26, 30-26, 30-26)
ANDREWS PREDICTION: TONY FERGUSON VIA UD
Andrews: Wow! What domination by Oliveira. Tony needs to retire.
MAIN EVENT
DEIVESON FIGUEIREDO VS. #1 BRANDON MORENO
THE LEVEL OF THIS FIGHT 🤯
Figueiredo stuns Moreno but he returns IMMEDIATELY with the takedown. #UFC256 pic.twitter.com/BfvXIYDo4k
— UFC (@ufc) December 13, 2020
WINNER: MAJORITY DRAW (48-46, 47-47, 47-47)
ANDREWS PREDICTION DEIVESON FIGUEIREDO VIA UD
Andrews: The point deduction proved to be critical for the draw. I thought Deiveson won the fight but let’s see that one again. Dana seems to agree.
