Sign up for ESPN+ right here, and you can then stream the UFC live on
your smart TV, computer, phone, tablet or streaming device via the
ESPN app. A highly anticipated
Ultimate Fighting Championship rematch is on the books for
June. First reported by the promotion’s broadcast partner
ESPN on Thursday, Deiveson
Figueiredo (20-1-1) and Brandon
Moreno (18-5-2) are going to run it back for the flyweight
strap on June 12. The event, which should be titled UFC 263,
does not currently have a location listed at the time. It is
expected that should it not take place in the UFC Apex in Las
Vegas, it will be located on Yas Island in Abu Dhabi, United Arab
Emirates.
The two flyweights went toe-to-toe for five hard rounds in
December, and an errant groin strike from Figueiredo resulted in an
immediate point deduction that ultimately resulted in the fight
getting scored a majority draw. Both men had their moments, and
“The Assassin Baby” came at Figueiredo like few have before,
putting together spectacular volume as they both landed flush for
practically the entire fight. As “Deico” held the belt at the time,
he retained it due to the draw, and UFC President Dana White was
quick to say after the event that the two would run it back in
2021.
The draw halted a four-fight finish streak for the Brazilian where
he won the vacant throne against Joseph
Benavidez and defended it in November from Alex Perez.
Although Figueiredo was originally slated to fight for gold in
February 2020, when he missed weight, it was no longer on the table
even though he won. The man also known as “Deus da Guerra” is tied
with Demetrious
Johnson for the most finishes in UFC flyweight history, while
also being in contention for several other records in the
division’s history.
Moreno lifted his stock to new heights when giving Figueiredo
everything he could handle. Like his foe, Moreno is currently on a
six-fight unbeaten streak dating back to 2019. Although it trails
the Brazilian’s of 85 percent, Moreno sports a high 72 percent
finish rate through his career, which includes two stints in the
Octagon. Both he and his opponent made identical 14-day turnarounds
to face the other at UFC 256, and they will get much more time to
prepare on this occasion. The fighter out of Mexico will be looking
to become just the fourth man to hold the UFC flyweight crown.
