Figueiredo puts Benavidez to sleep, wins UFC flyweight title

Deiveson Figueiredo is the new UFC flyweight champion.

Figueiredo submitted Joseph Benavidez with a rear-naked choke at 4:48 of the first round to win the vacant title in the UFC Fight Night main event Saturday in Abu Dhabi, United Arab Emirates.

The Brazilian dominated Benavidez from start to finish. He took the center of the cage and knocked Benavidez down with a right hook 45 seconds into the fight. Figueiredo then attempted to finish his opponent several times with a rear-naked choke, but Benavidez escaped and got back to his feet.

Benavidez landed his fair share of shots in the stand-up department, but Figueiredo did all the damage. He dropped Benavidez with another right hand with a minute and a half left in the opening frame. Benavidez stood back up, but a third knockdown followed shortly after.

This time, Benavidez was down for good. The knockdown came via a devastating right punch from Figueiredo, who then attacked with ground-and-pound. Instead of continuing to pound him out, though, the 32-year-old opted to try another rear-naked choke and was successful. Benavidez went unconscious before he could tap, and the referee called the fight off.

With the victory, Figueiredo becomes the third man to hold the undisputed 125-pound title in the UFC after Demetrious Johnson and Henry Cejudo. Figueiredo beat Benavidez in February during what was supposed to be a vacant title bout, but he missed weight and couldn't take home the belt. He's now riding a four-fight winning streak.

Benavidez is the first fighter to go 0-4 in UFC title fights, and he's lost two straight. The 35-year-old has remained a top contender in the division for as long as it's existed, but he's never been able to claim the throne. Benavidez's most recent victory came against Jussier Formiga in June 2019.