UFC 255: Deiveson Figueiredo submits Alex Perez to remain UFC flyweight king
Deiveson Figueiredo began his run as the reigning, defending UFC flyweight champion with a comprehensive victory over Dana White’s Contender Series alum Alex Perez at UFC 255.
The Brazilian made his first successful defence of his belt at 125 pounds and showed all facets of his game in this quick contest.
While on the feet, Figueiredo targeted Perez’s body and notably landed two thudding body kicks. After some striking skirmishes, Perez attempted a single leg takedown, but Figueiredo’s takedown defence looked on point as he defended on just one leg before diving for a leg lock.
From the ensuing scramble on the ground, Figueiredo snatched Perez’s neck to secure a tight guillotine choke. Perez valiantly defended and looked like he was close to escaping at some point, but that was all in vain as Figueiredo’s squeeze was too much and forced the tap.
Statement made by Figueiredo.
UFC 255: Valentina Shevchenko defends UFC women’s flyweight title against Jennifer Maia
Jennifer Maia proved a worthy adversary for Valentina Shevchenko, but her efforts weren’t enough to dethrone the Kyrgyzstan kickboxer.
Shevchenko swept the judges’ scorecards over five rounds with 49-46 scores across the board.
Brazil’s Maia looked comfortable in the early stages of the fight and found success in the second round as she got Shevchenko down and controlled her on the mat.
However, Shevchenko stepped things up a gear from the third round onwards, increasing her striking output and mixing things up with takedowns to keep Maia on her toes.
Shevchenko showed glimpses of her vast striking arsenal in this fight, but nothing came close to finish Maia. Still, her performance merited the result going in her favour and cemented her position as the woman to beat at 125 pounds.
UFC 255: Figueiredo vs. Perez full results
Flyweight Championship: Deiveson Figueiredo (c) def. Alex Perez by submission (guillotine choke) at 1:57 of round one
Women’s Flyweight Championship: Valentina Shevchenko (c) def. Jennifer Maia by unanimous decision after five rounds
Catchweight: Tim Means def. Mike Perry by unanimous decision after three rounds
Women’s Flyweight: Katlyn Chookagian def. Cynthia Calvillo by unanimous decision after three rounds
Light Heavyweight: Paul Craig def. Maurício Rua by TKO (punches) at 3:36 of round two
Flyweight: Brandon Moreno def. Brandon Royval by TKO (punches) at 4:59 of round one
Middleweight: Joaquin Buckley def. Jordan Wright by KO (punches) at 0:18 of round two
Women’s Flyweight: Antonina Shevchenko def. Ariane Lipski by TKO (punches) at 4:33 of round two
Welterweight: Nicolas Dalby def. Daniel Rodriguez by unanimous decision after three rounds
Welterweight: Alan Jouban def. Jared Gooden by unanimous decision after three rounds
Middleweight: Kyle Daukaus def. Dustin Stoltzfus by unanimous decision after three rounds
Welterweight: Sasha Palatnikov def. Louis Cosce by TKO (punches) at 2:27 of round three