Moreno vs Figueiredo: MMA India Show Awards 2020 Fight of the Year

UFC even in this pandemic world has not stopped putting in mega-events for their fans around the world.

It’s been a strange year, to say the least, but mixed martial arts has continued to flourish despite the restrictions the global pandemic has thrown up. The premier promoter of the sport, the UFC, has been seriously impacted like others and events have been taking place behind closed doors since March 2020.

In the past few months, UFC put on some Fantastic matchups that definitely delivered as promised. Many new champions were crowned, Rising stars took over some divisions by dethroning the old champions. But most importantly the fans got to see what they deserve that is some fantastic fights where fighters went all guns blazing and put on a hell of a performance.

Here are some best UFC fights of the year 2020:

A.) Weili Zhang vs Joanna Jedrzejczyk

Zhang Weili and Joanna Jedrzejczyk delivered the greatest fight in women’s MMA history in Las Vegas, and when it was over, the result of the UFC 248 co-main event was almost secondary due to the epic nature of the bout, but it was Zhang retaining her UFC strawweight title for the first time via five-round split decision in a fight that raised the stock of both ladies and the sport. Scores were 48-47 twice and 47-48 for Zhang.

Instant classic 👏 #UFC248 pic.twitter.com/e5kUZL8wvV
— UFC (@ufc) March 9, 2020

The high-level action continued in round four, with neither fighter backing down and each taking turns rocking the other. And while Zhang was in the championship rounds for the first time, she was still swinging for the fences, but it was Jedrzejczyk who was clearly the fresher of the two. Both fighters showed the wears of battle on their face, but there would be no let-up once the final round began, and the exchanges were as ferocious in the fifth as they were in the first. Both of them fought till they had nothing in the tank giving us a fight of the year candidate.

B.) Deiveson Figueiredo vs Brandon Moreno

A point deduction cost UFC flyweight champion Deiveson Figueiredo a victory in his UFC 256 main event against Brandon Moreno, but in an epic five-round Fight of the Year candidate, he retained his title for the second time by way of a majority draw. Scores were 47-46 Figueiredo and 47-47 twice. Both champion and challenger were fighting three weeks after scoring wins on the UFC 255 card in Las Vegas, and despite the short notice, there was no let-up from either fighter for all 25 minutes.

ufc: Figueiredo vs Moreno in SLO-MO 🤯
We hit rewind on one of the best flyweight matchups we’ve seen at #UFC256 pic.twitter.com/EkRJbjKD5h
— Team savage (@teamsavage) December 18, 2020

Unbothered by the incoming fire, Figueiredo stalked his foe, digging to the body when he could. Moreno wasn’t backing down, though, and he stayed busy throughout the fast-paced five rounds fight. In the third round, a flush low kick put Moreno on the deck in pain, halting the fight momentarily. Referee Jason Herzog deducted a point from Figueiredo. It was the type of respect only earned by a 25-minute fight. And this was a special one. “We need that rematch,” said the gracious Moreno, who was aiming to become the first Mexican champion in UFC history.

This matchup was very underrated until it delivered. For many casual fans who have no idea who Moreno was until he went to put on an astounding performance against a fierce champion.

C.) Dustin Poirier vs Dan Hooker

Everyone expected the UFC Vegas 4 main event between Dustin Poirier and Dan Hooker to be an instant classic. Then the two lightweight contenders went and delivered one, fighting tooth and nail for 25 minutes, with Poirier emerging victorious via unanimous decision in a clear Fight of the Year candidate. Scores were 48-47 twice and 48-46 for the No. 3-ranked Poirier, now 26-6 with 1 NC. The No. 5-ranked Hooker goes to 20-9.

#UFC256’s main event reminded me the importance of broadcasting lesser known fighters for free. For ex: Poirier vs Hooker — WHICH WAS FREE — had famous #MMA fans like lil Wayne and Steve Aoki tweeting during the fight! 🤯🤯UFC 256 was a missed opportunity.pic.twitter.com/epyM1ORPie
— I K E 👊 (@IkeFeldman) December 19, 2020

Hooker took an early lead as he worked his kicks to Poirier’s legs and body. Midway through the round, Poirier was able to negate his opponent’s reach advantage by locking up and taking Hooker to the fence. Hooker didn’t stay there long, but once the two separated, a fight broke out, with both landing hard shots in the pocket.

Poirier ultimately came out victorious, setting up a rematch with Conor McGregor early next year. No matter who Hooker ends up facing in his return to the ring, I’m sure he won’t stay behind for long. The two wasted no time getting back after it in further rounds, Hooker scoring with kicks and Poirier responding with punches until a brief stay against the fence. At close range, the two traded bombs and damaged each other at regular intervals.

D.) Josh Emmett vs Shane Burgos

The co-main event between featherweight contenders Josh Emmett and Shane Burgos was expected to deliver fireworks, and it was like the Fourth of July at the Apex, with Emmett using two third-round knockdowns to break open a close fight and win a three-round unanimous decision. Scores were 29-28 twice and 29-27 for the No. 8-ranked Emmett, now 16-2. The No. 10-ranked Burgos goes to 13-2 record.

Emmett was swinging his right hand with abandon in the early going, and he threw in the occasional short left hook for good measure. The bigger Burgos took the punches well as he moved forward, but he was taking too many of them, which only made Emmett more confident. Burgos stuck to the game plan, though, landing some hard calf kicks that were getting Emmett’s attention, and by the end of the round, both were trading bombs.

Winner of the Fight Of The Year 2020

Deiveson Figueiredo vs Brandon Moreno

This fight came together on three weeks’ notice when UFC 256 imploded; both Figueiredo and Moreno had scored first-round finishes at UFC 255, the former by guillotine and the latter via injury stoppage. They were ready, they were willing, and as it turned out, they were more than able.

This fight will always be remembered as an all-time classical and now has set a different standard in the flyweight division.