The UFC held its final pay-per-view event of the year Saturday night, as UFC 256 went down from the UFC Apex in Las Vegas.
And in the final championship match of the year, Deiveson Figueiredo and Brandon Moreno put on a show with the bout ending in a majority draw. Figueiredo remained the flyweight champion with the decision.
The two traded blows throughout, exciting fans and fighters alike on social media. Moreno also gained plenty of support for surviving an extreme low blow that cost Figueiredo a point.
Charles Oliveira controlled Tony Ferguson, earning a completely one-sided victory in the co-main event. While Oliveira winning was a surprise, the way in which he handled the former interim UFC champion for three rounds was shocking.
"Who's dominated him like that?"
🇧🇷 @CharlesDoBronxs has a case for a title shot like few others. #UFC256 pic.twitter.com/CAFP3R5C5K
— UFC (@ufc) December 13, 2020
The 31-year-old Oliveira stretched his current win streak to eight in a row since a 2017 loss to Paul Felder.
In a bout sure to spark conversation for fight of the year, Mackenzie Dern and Virna Jandiroba traded blows for three rounds with Dern coming out on top. Dern appeared to suffer a broken nose in the second, but battled back in the third.
Flying high! @MackenzieDern 2.0 continues her 115 run 👏 #UFC256 pic.twitter.com/ufMaWOwMRs
— UFC (@ufc) December 13, 2020
Kevin Holland delivered in less than two minutes, finishing Ronaldo “Jacare” Souza in the middleweight division. The win marked the fifth in a row for the rising prospect who has finished four of those opponents.
HOW DID HE… BUT…
🗣 @Trailblaze2top is an absolute mad man! #UFC256 pic.twitter.com/ObZfK73v2w
— UFC (@ufc) December 13, 2020
Heavyweight Ciryl Gane earned the biggest win of his career, stopping former UFC champion Junior dos Santos in the second round. Gane connected with an elbow – that dos Santos claimed was to the back of the head after seeing replays – to seal the win.
The prelims of UFC 256 delivered, airing live on ESPN2 and streaming on ESPN+. In the headline attraction, veteran Cub Swanson returned with a thrilling second round knockout of Daniel Pineda.
Swanson caught Pineda less than two minutes into the round, flooring him for the victory.
Rafael Fiziev knocked out Renato Moicano with a perfectly-timed punch in the first round while Gavin Tucker scored a dominating decision vs. Billy Quarantillo.
Tecia Torres held firm in the women’s strawweight division, forcing the doctor to stop her bout with Sam Hughes after the opening round while Chase Hooper caught Peter Barrett with a heel hook to open the card.
UFC 256 Results
Deiveson Figueiredo vs. Brandon Moreno declared a majority draw (47-46, 47-47, 47-47) for Figueiredo’s flyweight championship
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 “Jacare” Souza via KO (strike) at 1:45 of Round 1
Ciryl Gane def. Junior dos Santos via TKO (strikes) at 2:34 of Round 2
Cub Swanson def. Daniel Pineda via KO (strike) at 1:52 of Round 2
Rafael Fizev def. Renato Moicano via KO (strike) at 4:05 of Round 1
Gavin Tucker def. Billy Quarantillo via unanimous decision (30-27, 30-27, 30-27)
Tecia Torres def. Sam Hughes via TKO (doctor stoppage) at 5:00 of Round 1
Chase Hooper def. Peter Barrett via submission (heel hook) at 3:02 of Round 3