Both flyweight champions pick up dominant victories at UFC 255

Saturday’s UFC 255 wasn’t big on marquee value, but each of their flyweight champions came out of the show intact, dominating in different ways.

In the main event, men’s 125-pound king Deiveson Figueiredo rolled to an easy win, tapping Alex Perez to a guillotine at 1:57 of the first round. Perez had briefly taken the champion’s back before Figueiredo transitioned to the submission attempt which Perez was unsuccessful at escaping.

This was the first title defense for Figueiredo (20-1), who dominated Joseph Benavidez in July to win the vacant title. Perez was subbing for former bantamweight champion Cody Garbrandt who was pulled in early-October after tearing his triceps.

Afterward, Dana White said that Brandon Moreno is likely next for Figueiredo as soon as December’s UFC 256. Moreno won his third straight victory Saturday with a first round finish and if the fight is made, it would be the first time in company history a champion has defended his belt in consecutive months.

In the co-main event, women’s flyweight champion Valentina Shevchenko (20-3) picked up her fourth successful defense with a unanimous decision win over Jennifer Maia, 49-46 on all cards. Maia was a massive underdog going into the fight.

Lauren Murphy or Jessica Andrade are likely next options for Shevchenko who is riding a six fight win streak.