ABU DHABI, UNITED ARAB EMIRATES – AUGUST 2, 2024: (L-R) Marlon Vera of Ecuador and Deiveson Figueiredo of Brazil face off during the weigh-in for UFC Fight Night at the Etihad Arena in Abu Dhabi, United Arab Emirates. (Photo by Mike Roach/Zuffa LLC via Getty Images)
Tito Vera and former UFC flyweight champion Deiveson Figueiredo faced off on the main card of Saturday’s UFC Abu Dhabi, an afternoon card that aired live on broadcast network ABC for Western fans.
Vera was coming off a loss to Sean O’Malley at UFC 299, his best week, when a small army of Spanish-language media flocked to Miami for him, and his worst week, when his chances at gold were disappointing.
Meanwhile, Figueriedo was finding new life in his fighting career as a 135-pound fighter.
Vera vs. Figueiredo opened with a few low kicks and after a few more from Vera, Deiveson changed levels and lunged for a takedown which he scored. This gave the Brazilian time to gain the upper hand but he couldn’t find a path to victory and nearly suffered an upkick on a breakaway a few minutes later.
Back on his feet, with about 90 seconds left, Figueiredo landed chops on Vera’s lead leg and circled around the outside, forcing Tito to follow him in. With 30 seconds left, Figueiredo scored his second takedown, landed in half guard, and stood over Vera, going for an axe kick to end the round.
Figueiredo landed another low kick early in the second round, and Vera nearly got off-balance with a kick from above, but Deiveson couldn’t capitalize. The two traded blows, with Figueiredo switching stances, but no takedown attempts were made in the first three minutes.
Vera fought the second round on his feet and looked likely to finish the fight in a draw with the former champion.
With Figueiredo unable to knock Vera down in the second round, the third round looked rather interesting. And that was exactly what happened. Right from the start, Vera attacked Figueiredo with a body shot, but Deiveson turned and took Vera down. Tito quickly got back to his feet and continued his attacks to the body, but the former 125-pounder made it clear that his power has certainly carried over to the bantamweight division.
With two minutes left, the two men traded leg kicks. A knockdown was on the cards, and the third round was likely to decide the fight. Both fighters knew it, and Vera moved forward, only to be countered by a takedown attempt from Figueiredo. Vera shook it off, but his progress was thwarted. The decision went to the referee, with Deiveson Figueiredo giving it the decision.
Official result: Deiveson Figueiredo defeats Tito Vera by unanimous decision (29-28, 29-28, 30-27)
