Moreno beats Figueiredo by doctor's stoppage to reclaim UFC flyweight belt

After four fights and a historic rivalry, Brandon Moreno had the last laugh.

Moreno defeated Deiveson Figueiredo via doctor's stoppage TKO at the end of the third round to reclaim the UFC undisputed flyweight title in the UFC 283 co-main event Saturday night in Rio de Janeiro. Moreno entered the contest as the interim champion.

Figueiredo was ruled unable to continue after a strike opened up a cut underneath his right eye in the third round, and it swelled up. Moreno was winning 29-28 on all three judges' scorecards after the third round. Figueiredo won Round 2.

Afterward, the Brazilian announced he'll move up to the bantamweight division.

Moreno and Figueiredo became the first fighters to face each other in the UFC four times. In their first meeting in December 2020, they fought to a majority draw. In their June 2021 rematch, Moreno submitted Figueiredo in a masterclass performance. And then, in their January 2022 trilogy bout, Figueiredo won a narrow unanimous decision. All four fights between Moreno and Figueiredo were for the undisputed title.

The first two rounds of Saturday's tetralogy fight were very competitive. Moreno and Figueiredo traded heavy shots on the feet and engaged in entertaining scrambles on the ground. Figueiredo attempted guillotine chokes in both rounds, but Moreno escaped both times.

The third round was dominant in Moreno's favor. He clipped Figueiredo with the strike that caused the cut and then controlled the former champion from top position for the rest of the round. Moreno battered him with heavy ground-and-pound.

Fans at Jeunesse Arena threw debris at Moreno, a native of Mexico, as security escorted him backstage after the victory.

With the win, Moreno is the undisputed flyweight champ for the second time. He claimed the interim belt with a TKO finish of Kai Kara-France last July, with Figueiredo sidelined at the time due to an injury. Moreno improved to 7-1-2 in his last 10 affairs.

Figueiredo, who faced Moreno in four consecutive fights, is now 1-2 in his last three Octagon walks. He successfully retained the 125-pound title twice across two reigns.