Kicking things off tonight on the early prelims of UFC 300 was a massive bantamweight matchup between two former champions. Former flyweight champion Deiveson Figueiredo (22-3-1) was looking to make it 2-0 at bantamweight as he took on former bantamweight champion Cody “No Love” Garbrandt (14-5).
Garbrandt became champion at the end of 2016 then went through a horrific six fight stretch where he was just 1-5 getting knocked out four times. He also dealt with a ton of injuries. Healthy again, Garbrandt won two fights last year and was looking to win big at 300.
For years, Deiveson Figueiredo was a problem at 125 because of his size. However, he would nearly kill himself making the weight. After losing the flyweight title to Brandon Moreno, he decided to move up and looked dominant in his bantamweight debut against Rob Font. Tonight, he was looking to add a former UFC champion to his hit list.
UFC 300 Recap
Round 1
The UFC 300 opening prelim kicked off with a leg kick from Garbrandt. A second leg kick from Garbrandt and now he’s upping the pressure. Right hand by Figueiredo just misses the chin and another calf kick from Garbrandt. Low kick from Figueiredo and Garbrandt looks to counter. Both men came forward and there might’ve been a head clash there.
Level change from Figueiredo and forces a miss from Garbrandt. Big kick from Figueiredo lands. Calf kick from Garbrandt. Lead left hook just misses from Figueiredo. Halfway through the first round and both men are still feeling things out here. Low kick from Garbrandt. Front kick up the middle from Figueiredo.
Huge 1-2 from Garbrandt and he clips Figueiredo clean. Garbrandt out to a sizeable advantage on strikes landed. Figueiredo lands a left hook. Front kick from Figueiredo and both men land combinations. Takedown attempt from Figueiredo and Garbrandt scrambles. Lead elbow from Figueiredo and the round ends. 1-0 Garbrandt at UFC 300.
Round 2
Entering the second round and Figueiredo really needs to get going. He immediately takes the center to start the second. Right hook over the top from Figueiredo but he gets clipped with a clean combination by Garbrandt. Body lock from Figueiredo and he swings to the back of Garbrandt. Takedown from Figueiredo and he’s in half guard.
Garbrandt tries to scramble but Figueiredo gets his back. He flattens him out and starts pounding on him. Garbrandt rolls to his back and now Figueiredo has the full mount. Figueiredo immediately works the arm triangle and he has it. It’s deep but Garbrandt is remaining calm. He gets out but Figueiredo goes right back on the mount. 90 seconds left and Figueiredo is steady in the mount with full control here.
Garbrandt explodes and nearly gets up but Figueiredo immediately re-secures the back and he gets a rear naked choke. It’s deep and Garbrandt taps. Huge win for Figueiredo at UFC 300.
Deiveson Figueiredo def. Cody Garbrandt by Submission – Round 2