Brandon Moreno and Deiveson Figueiredo produced an instant classic in their flyweight title fight at UFC 256.
Both fighters had accepted the fight on three weeks notice and produced one of the best fights in the history of the flyweight division. The fight ended in a draw with Figueiredo retaining his flyweight belt.
It was filled with back and forth action for the entirety of the fight. Figueiredo had to take a one-point deduction after he hit Moreno in the groin with a low kick.
“To be honest, I feel too much pain in all my body, but at the same time, I feel so happy,” Moreno said on the ESPN+ post-fight show.
While Moreno stated that he wanted to win the title, he thought that the draw was conclusive and now he wants to spend some time with his family.
“Obviously I wanted the title. I wanted to bring that happiness to my country, to my family. But it is what it is,” Moreno said. “I’m so happy to take this opportunity. I’m ready to go home with my family, with my kids. That’s all I need.”
Brandon Moreno is ready for the rematch
Brandon Moreno further clarified that he wants to fight Deiveson Figueiredo in a rematch. During the post-fight show, he stated that he should have kept his frantic pace on in the fifth round, where the Mexican slowed down compared to the previous round.
“I think I expected a little bit more power from him. Obviously he has power. It’s obvious because when he threw punches to my body, I felt it. When he threw kicks to my forearms, I felt it definitely,” Moreno said. “But I started to get more confidence during the fight, and I started to feel comfortable. I think I needed to put more pressure in the fifth round, but it is what it is. Right now I have this weird draw. I’m not happy, but at the same time I am happy because I know it was a nice fight.”
He continued, “Obviously after these last eight weeks of 2020, I need to rest. He has all my respect. He fought the same time as me. He took this fight on short notice. He is a champion. Normally the champion takes a long time to rest and recover his body; he does not. He took the fight. I have too much respect for him. I need to rest and spend some time with my family. But definitely in 2021 I am ready to take the rematch.” Moreno concluded. (H/T – MMAJunkie.com)
Who do you guys think wins in the rematch: Deiveson Figueiredo or Brandon Moreno? Let us know in the comments section below.