Figueiredo edges Moreno in trilogy bout to recapture UFC flyweight belt

Deiveson Figueiredo is back on top of the flyweight division.

Figueiredo defeated Brandon Moreno via unanimous decision (48-47, 48-47, 48-47) in the UFC 270 co-main event to recapture the title Saturday night in Anaheim.

This was the third meeting between the two rivals. They fought to a draw in December 2020, and then Moreno submitted Figueiredo to become champion in June 2021.

Following the trilogy bout, Figueiredo expressed interest in another clash against Moreno.

"I'm ready for a fourth fight with Brandon - in Mexico," Figueiredo said in his postfight interview.

Several of the rounds between Figueiredo and Moreno were very close. Figueiredo's best weapon was the calf kick, while Moreno connected more often with his hands.

Figueiredo's biggest moment came at the end of the third round when he dropped Moreno with a huge right hand and jumped on a guillotine just before time expired.

The trilogy bout was a tactical affair, with both fighters focused on not overextending themselves on a punch. However, Figueiredo and Moreno finally slugged it out to close the fifth round.

Figueiredo is now the first two-time flyweight champion in UFC history. He captured the belt in July 2020 against Joseph Benavidez and defended it twice with a submission of Alex Perez and the draw against Moreno.

Moreno lost for the first time since a bout with Alexandre Pantoja in 2018. He was riding a seven-fight unbeaten streak.