UFC Norfolk live blog: Joseph Benavidez vs. Deiveson Figueiredo

This is the UFC Norfolk live blog for Joseph Benavidez vs. Deiveson Figueiredo, the flyweight headliner for Saturday’s fight card at Chartway Arena in Norfolk, Va.

Benavidez fights for the flyweight title left vacant by Henry Cejudo, who relinquished his belt. In his way is Figueiredo, who was ruled ineligible to win the title after missing weight for the fight.

In the co-headliner, featherweight Felicia Spencer bounced back from a loss to ex-champ Cris Cyborg. She blew through Zarah Fairn dos Santos, who was submitted by Megan Anderson in her octagon debut.

Check out the UFC Norfolk live blog below.

Round 1: Figueiredo closes distance with a wide stance, and Benavidez feints and attacks low with a kick. A big incursion from Benavidez, who’s just a bit short with his fists. On a kick, Figueiredo catches it and slams him to the mat, and then wraps a reverrse triangle and armbar in a scramble. Benavidez rolls to avoid it, but it looks like it hyperextended. Benavidez still powers out of it and fires off a punch. He goes on the offense and powers forward. Figueiredo meets him with a right hand, and again as he approaches with a flurry. Figueiredo moves away and pot shots from the outside as Benavidez swings with big hooks. Benavidez swinging big, but Figueiredo doesn’t seem affected. Shovelcut prompts Benavidez to shoot. Figueiredo is cutting him off with his right hand, and his counters aren’t having much impact. He shoots again, and Figueiredo stuffs it. Against the fence, Benavidez connects on a hook. He’s charging forward and firing without much setup. Short, but a right hand lands well. Figueiredo counters with an uppercut and fires a knee that halts a takedown. Another right straight cuts off Benavidez, but he’s not stopping. Volume is in his corner right now. But Figueiredo’s power is having an effect. Big body shot, and Benavidez gets knocked down. Not clear if it’s a strike. Spirited exchange in the final moments with both fighters landing.

MMA Fighting scores the frame 10-9 Figueiredo.

Round 2: Spinning back kick from Figueiredo, and Benavidez goes on the offensive. Low kicks set up another pair of charges, and Benavidez reels as Figueiredo counters. He continues to press and fires off a fast combo. Figueiredo takes a few low kicks. Benavidez just out of range on his punches, but he adjusts and lands a nice left hook. Figueiredo beats his body and drops him with a straight right. Figueiredo follows up with hammerfists, and that’s it. Referee Dan Miragliotta calls it off, and the flyweight title remains vacant.

Official result: Deiveson Figueiredo def. Joseph Benavidez via TKO (strikes) - Round 2, 1:54