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Joseph Benavidez vs. Deiveson Figueiredo Slated For Vacant Flyweight Title At UFC Norfolk

Benavidez and Figueiredo will meet for vacant flyweight gold in February.

A matchup for the vacant UFC flyweight championship will headline UFC Fight Night Norfolk on February 29th. as long-time perennial contender, Joseph Benavidez will attempt to finally claim Octagon gold as he clashes with Brazilian finisher, Deiveson 'Daico' Figueiredo after reigning champion, Henry 'The Messenger' Cejudo vacated the throne late last night. News of the pairing was first reported by BJPenn.com writer, Cole Shelton.

35-year-old all-rounder, Benavidez, will enter his third championship bout under the UFC banner, having twice unsuccessfully attempted to pry the 115-pound title during the infamous reign of now ONE Championship best, Demetrious 'Mighty Mouse' Johnson. The Texas native, has established himself as a top-contender once again in the division, having handing defeats to Alex Perez, Dustin Ortiz, and Jussier Formiga in his last three outings. Benavidez has been gunning for a title opportunity against Cejudo for sometime now, after narrowly outpointing the bantamweight champion in a split decision win back in December, 2016. With Cejudo vacating the championship, Benavidez will get his gold wish once more, but against his fellow surging championship hopeful, Deiveson Figueiredo instead.

The exciting Brazilian contender, Figueiredo, has rebounded from his first career defeat to the previously mentioned Jussier Formiga in the last three months, overcoming Alexandre Pantoja before a quick-fire guillotine win over former title challenger, Tim Elliot, at UFC Fight Night Tampa in October. The 32-year-old will make his first appearance in a professional championship match in February, having began his professional career just eight years ago. Figueiredo began his Octagon stint in impressive fashion, picking up four straight wins and three knockouts.

UFC Fight Night Norfolk takes place on February 29th. from the Chartway Arena in Norfolk, Virginia. The previously noted flyweight championship pairing will headline the event. A pair of featherweight matchups have been booked for the card, with former Invicta FC championship holders, Megan Anderson, and Felicia Spencer, making Octagon walks against Norma Dumont, and Zarah Fairn dos Santos respectively. In welterweight action, Alex 'Cowboy' Oliveira looks to recover from a decision defeat to Nicolas Dalby, as he takes on submission grappler, Mickey Gall.

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