The Ultimate Fighting Championship came to Chartway Arena in Norfolk, Virginia tonight for UFC Fight Night 169: “Benavidez vs Figueiredo.” The event was headlined by a vacant UFC Flyweight Championship bout between Joseph Benavidez and Deiveson “Deus da Guerra” Figueiredo.
Due to Figueiredo missing weight yesterday, only Benavidez was eligible to win the title in tonight’s championship headliner. In the co-main event, Felicia “FeeNom” Spencer clashed with Zarah “Infinite” Fairn dos Santos at featherweight. MMARising.com has live play-by-play for tonight’s card.
UFC Flyweight Championship
Deiveson “Deus da Guerra” Figueiredo vs Joseph Benavidez
Round 1:
Figueiredo scored a takedown in the opening minute and he transitioned from an inverted triangle choke position to an armbar that forced Benavidez to roll and act quickly in order to narrowly escape. The fighters stood and Benavidez landed two hard right hands. Figueiredo stuffed Benavidez’s takedown attempts and landed right uppercuts that backed Benavidez up. Benavidez responded with a hard combination and he picked up the pace in the final minute. Benavidez landed a hard right hook, but slipped soon after and the round ended with an exchange of power punches. Close round. 10-9 Figueiredo.
Round 2:
More power punches were exchanged early in round two and Figueiredo countered a head kick with an overhand right. Benavidez continued to throw heavy punches, but he was cut badly on the forehead by a clash of heads. Seconds later, Figueiredo floored Benavidez with a huge right hand and he followed with more punches on the ground before the fight was stopped.
Winner: Deiveson Figueiredo by KO (Punches) at 1:54 of round two. He improves to 18-1-0 but is not eligible to win the title due to missing weight.
Felicia “FeeNom” Spencer vs Zarah “Infinite” Fairn dos Santos
Round 1:
Spencer opened the fight with jabs and a one-two and Fairn responded with lead left hooks. She caught a head kick and landed more punches before Spencer clinched with her against the cage. She got Fairn down and moved directly to mount. Spencer landed elbows and punches from the top that hurt Fairn, who rolled to her side. Spencer continued to batter her with hammerfists and elbows and the fight was stopped.
Winner: Felicia Spencer by TKO (Punches & Elbows) at 3:37 of round one. She improves to 8-1-0.
Magomed Ankalaev vs Ion “The Hulk” Cutelaba
Round 1:
Cutelaba rushed forward and struck Ankalaev with his shoulder during the fighter introductions, but was not punished for doing so. After the fight began, Ankalaev rocked Cutelaba right away with head kicks and overhand punches. Cutelaba was struck again by two more head kicks and more punches, which prompted referee Kevin MacDonald to wave off the fight, and Cutelaba vehemently protested the controversial stoppage.
Winner: Magomed Ankalaev by TKO (Head Kicks & Punches) at 0:38 of round one. He improves to 13-1-0.
Megan Anderson vs Norma “The Immortal” Dumont Viana
Round 1:
Quick punches were exchanged right away and Anderson snapped Dumont’s head back with a jab, but Dumont clinched and worked for a trip takedown against the cage. Anderson defended and stayed on her feet as the fighters traded knees in close. Dumont finally got Anderson down, but Anderson immediately got back to her feet and she broke free from the clinch. A huge right hand landed for Anderson and Dumont collapsed to the canvas, barely clinging to consciousness as the fight was waved off.
Winner: Megan Anderson by KO (Punch) at 3:31 of round one. She improves to 11-4-0.
Grant “KGD” Dawson vs Darrick Minner
Round 1:
Minner opened the fight with two leg kicks and he pulled guard with a guillotine choke, but Dawson escaped and he worked to pass Minner’s guard. Minner looked for an armbar and he tried for a second one soon after. The fight returned to the feet and Minner pulled Dawson down with two more guillotine chokes. Dawson appeared to be in some trouble, but he managed to get to side control and Minner released the choke. He regained half-guard and Dawson worked from the top in search of a shoulder choke. He got to full mount and unloaded with punches to the back of Minner’s head, which all appeared to be illegal, then trapped Minner in a rear-naked choke at the bell. 10-9 Dawson due to the late rally.
Round 2:
Minner jumped into a guillotine choke to begin round two and Dawson escaped into mount. He briefly landed punches and then took Minner’s back. Dawson locked on a rear-naked choke and Minner tapped out.
Winner: Grant Dawson by Submission (Rear-Naked Choke) at 1:38 of round two. He improves to 15-1-0.
(Undercard results and play-by-play on Page Two.)