Deiveson Figuieredo leaves UFC 256 on a stretcher and rushed to hospital after brutal draw with Brandon Moreno
DEIVESON FIGUEIREDO was rushed to hospital after his incredible draw with Brandon Moreno last night.
The Brazilian left on a stretcher after the Fight of the Year contender in UFC 256's main event at the Apex Facility.
The short-notice flyweight title fight well and truly lived up to its billing, with both men trading heavy leather from the get-go.
Shortly after his post-fight interview, Figueiredo was taken to hospital to be looked over doctors.
When pressed on Figueiredo's trip to the hospital on Friday night, chief Dana White said: "He didn't feel good so he went to the hospital."
Figueiredo was the aggressor in the first round, stalking the challenger and landing his right hand his ease.
Moreno, to his credit, more than held his own and returned fire with several power shots that appeared to gain the respect of the cocksure champion.
Figueredo maintained his ferocious pace and disdain for Moreno's power in the second round, although the stanza was a lot closer than its predecessor.
The pendulum swung in the third round when Mexico's Moreno began meeting the advances of 'The God of War' with forward pressure and power shots of his own.
An accidental low blow from Figueiredo saw referee Jason Herzog deduct a point from the Brazilian, a decision that ultimately ended up having a major effect on the outcome of the fight.
Moreno was badly hurt but recovered to mount an all-out assault in the fourth, in which he came close to ending Figueiredo's reign atop of the 125lb division.
Figueredo was rocked by a huge head kick midway through the round and was almost put out by a succession a big left hands.
Moreno's fatigue let Figueredo off the hook and proved to be his undoing in the fifth and final round, in which he allowed the champ to dictate the pace and get back into the contest.
As he awaited the judge's scorecards, 'The Baby Assassin' appeared confident he'd be crowned the UFC's first Mexican-born champion.
The judges, however, didn't believe he did enough to dethrone the Figueiredo - turning in 47-46, 47-47 and 47-47 scorecards.
Moreno didn't protest the decision in his post-match interview, although he did campaign for a rematch.
He said: "We need that rematch. I think so. For me, for Figueiredo, for the fans, for everybody. And for the sport, of course."
Figueiredo - who was in the hospital with a stomach problem the night before his latest title defence - is open to giving Moreno a second crack at UFC gold.
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He said: "If they want to put him in front of me for the next fight I'm open to that."
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The final pay-per-view card of the year well and truly delivered, with all but four of the ten contests going the distance.
Elsewhere on the card, there were impressive wins for Charles Oliveira, Kevin Holland and Ciryl Gane, who defeated Tony Ferguson, Ronaldo Souza and Junior dos Santos respectively.
UFC 256 RESULTS
Deiveson Figueiredo vs. Brandon Moreno declared a majority draw (48-46 Figueiredo, 47-47, 47-47)
Charles Oliveira def. Tony Ferguson via unanimous decision (30-26, 30-26, 30-26)
Mackenzie Dern def. Virna Jandiroba via unanimous decision (29-28, 29-28, 29-28)
Kevin Holland def. Ronaldo Souza via knockout (punches) – Round 1, 1:45
Ciryl Gane def. Junior dos Santos via TKO (elbow, punches) – Round 2, 2:34
Prelims
Cub Swanson def. Daniel Pineda via knockout (punches) – Round 2, 1:52
Rafael Fiziev def. Renato Moicano via knockout (punches) – Round 1, 4:05
Gavin Tucker def. Billy Quarantillo via unanimous decision (30-27, 30-27, 30-27)
Tecia Torres def. Sam Hughes via TKO (doctor stoppage) – Round 1, 5:00
Chase Hooper def. Peter Barrett via submission (heel hook) – Round 3, 3:02