RIO DE JANEIRO – Brandon Moreno is once again the undisputed flyweight champion after a bittersweet ending to a historic fourth meeting with his toughest rival.
After a brilliant start to the flyweight title unification bout for Moreno (21-6-2 MMA, 9-3-2 UFC) in the UFC 283 co-main event against Deiveson Figueiredo, a doctor’s stoppage led to the end of the fight after the third round. The right eye of Figueiredo (21-3-1 MMA, 10-3-1 UFC) was swollen shut, resulting in the crowning of Moreno as champion at Jeunesse Arena.
No glove touch, but we're keeping it respectful to start the fourth meeting #UFC283 pic.twitter.com/sDaBWMZds0
— UFC (@ufc) January 22, 2023
The fight hit the mat just seconds after it began.
As Figueiredo closed the distance, Moreno changed levels to complete a nice takedown. Figueiredo countered by holding on to a guillotine attempt, and eventually used the hold to get the fight back to the feet. Both fighters were calculated with their strikes in the intermittent exchanges that followed as Figueiredo kept Moreno circling on the outside.
A late takedown led to Figueiredo attacking leg submissions, but couldn’t secure anything before the end of the round. Moreno would protest a kick Figueiredo landed on the ground.
Figueiredo caught a Moreno kick and brought the fight to the ground early in the second round. Aside from stacking for a moment, Figueiredo was unable to mount anything significant, and Moreno got back to his feet. Quick strikes from both fighters followed, including 1-2 combinations that Moreno’s corner called for between rounds.
Figueiredo attempted a head kick which led to a wild scramble of takedown attempts and sweeps. Ultimately, the action slowed with a deep guillotine attempt from Figueiredo. Moreno remained calm and worked free, taking top position in the closing moments.
In the third, Moreno began to lunge forward with loopy punches. After missing wildly with a pair, Moreno kept at it and landed a big left hand that bothered Figueiredo because the knuckle went into the eye. Figueiredo backed away to protest, but referee Herb Dean did not pause the action, prompting Moreno to use the opportunity for a takedown.
It was apparent Figueiredo’s eye was swelling rapidly, and a cut was visible too. Moreno would spend the remainder of the round on top, controlling and mixing in ground and pound.
Between rounds, the cageside physician was brought in to check on Figueiredo’s eye, which was swollen completely shut. The decision to stop the fight was made with no protest from Figueiredo, resulting in the TKO victory for Moreno.
IT'S ALL OVER! The doctor has called a stop between rounds due to a Figueiredo eye injury
Brandon leaves #UFC283 with a TKO victory and the title! pic.twitter.com/cFiHnPx5Hg
— UFC (@ufc) January 22, 2023
Moreno entered the contest on the heels of an interim title-winning victory over Kai Kara-France at UFC 277. Prior to that, he spent the three previous appearances against Figueiredo, culminating in Saturday’s historic fourth bout.
Even with the anti-climatic ending, it appears there will be no fifth bout on the horizon as Figueiredo announced he plans to move up to the bantamweight division the next time he steps into the octagon.
Figueiredo announces he's moving up to bantamweight after his loss at #UFC283 pic.twitter.com/wjIQZcuwzc
— ESPN MMA (@espnmma) January 22, 2023
Up-to-the-minute UFC 283 results include:
- Brandon Moreno def. Deiveson Figueiredo via TKO (doctor’s stoppage) – Round 3, 5:00 – to unify flyweight title
- Gilbert Burns def. Neil Magny via submission (arm-triangle choke) – Round 1, 4:15
- Jessica Andrade def. Lauren Murphy via unanimous decision (30-25, 30-25, 30-26)
- Johnny Walker def. Paul Craig via TKO (strikes) – Round 1, 2:16
- Ihor Potieria def. Mauricio Rua via TKO (punches) – Round 1, 4:05
- Brunno Ferreira def. Gregory Rodrigues via knockout (punch) – Round 1, 4:13
- Thiago Moises def. Melquizael Costa via submission (rear-naked choke) – Round 2, 4:05
- Gabriel Bonfim def. Mounir Lazzez via submission (guillotine choke) – Round 1, 0:49
- Jailton Almeida def. Shamil Abdurakhimov via TKO (punches) – Round 2, 2:56
- Cody Stamann def. Luan Lacerda via unanimous decision (29-28, 29-28, 29-28)
- Ismael Bonfim def. Terrance McKinney via knockout (knee) – Round 2, 2:17
- Nicolas Dalby def. Warlley Alves via split decision (29-28, 28-29, 29-28)
- Josiane Nunes def. Zarah Fairn via unanimous decision (29-28, 29-28, 29-28)
- Daniel Marcos def. Saimon Oliveira via knockout (punches) – Round 2, 2:18
For more on the card, visit MMA Junkie’s event hub for UFC 283.
