‘Devastating’ blow ends bloody encounter

Brazilian Deiveson Figueirdo has stunned UFC flyweight defending champion Joseph Benavidez at Chartway Arena in Norfolk on Sunday.

After an evenly-contested opening five minutes, Figueirdo completely overpowered his opponent in the second round, winning via KO with a powerful right hook.

A clash of heads early in the second round left Benavidez with a deep cut in his forehand and he started quickly losing blood, his focus dwindling as he tried to wipe away the blood.

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Figueirdo took advantage, sending his American rival to the floor — after following up with hammerfists referee Dan Miragliotta ended the fight.

Deiveson Figueiredo finished Joseph Benavidez in the second round at #UFCNorfolk pic.twitter.com/km8IIjsjeb

That was a devastating straight right from Figueiredo. #UFCNorfolk

Cant help but feel for Benavidez, very tough loss, such a shame with the clash of heads which was the beginning of the end. #UFCNorfolk

Wow. Poor week for the division, looks like Joe Ben will be never get over the line. Bad head clash but that’s some straight right. Real shame about the weight cut #UFCNorfolk

Figueirdo missed the weight for the bout by almost three pounds, so was not eligible to win the flyweight title, meaning the title remains vacant.

Benavidez was bitterly disappointed with his performance, admitting he’s “been better” in the Octagon.

“I feel like this isn’t real right now, like it’s a fricking nightmare,” Benavidez said after the fight.

“I worked my ass off for that.”

Figueirdo’s UFC record now boasts 18 wins in 19 MMA bouts.

‘WORST STOPPAGE EVER’: FANS BLOW UP

UFC fans have absolutely unloaded at a referee after he stopped a fight in the opening round despite one fighter still throwing punches.

Magomed Ankalaev and Ion Cutelaba got off to a hot start before the first bell when Cutelaba charged across the Octagon during the introductions.

But once the fight got underway it was all Ankalaev who landed several head kicks that looked to have wobbled Cutelaba.

As his head bounced around, he started throwing back and looked like he was getting back into the fight. Many however believe the head wobble from Cutelaba was a tactic to try and draw Ankalaev in.

Then out of nowhere the referee stepped in and stop the fight. Fans in attendance quickly broke out a loud chorus of boos as Cutelaba angrily protested the stoppage.

Cutelaba stopped too early??#UFCNorfolk pic.twitter.com/RBeduK17e9

“The referee made a huge mistake,” Michael Bisping proclaimed in commentary.

“That was a mess from the jump. Disastrous refereeing,” ESPN’s Phil Murphy tweeted.

MMA fighter Shane Burgos wasn’t happy with the ending as he wrote: “Atrocious stoppage … was shaping up to be a fun fight too”

Fans on social media were just as furious as the boos drowned out the post-fight interview.

I legitimately think that literally might be the worst early stoppage I’ve ever seen in the UFC. #UFCNorfolk

That is without a doubt the worst stoppage I’ve ever seen. Wow. #UFCNorfolk

That's possibly the worst stoppage in years #UFCNorfolk

OH NO! The ref just blew it folks… Cutelaba and Ankalaev were throwing BOMBS too… #UFCNorfolk

JUDGES SCORECARD ROASTED

We’ve seen some out there judges scorecards over the years, this one from the UFC’s Fight Night in Norfolk, Virginia takes the cake.

In the third fight of the night, Jordan Griffin pulled off a stunning win when he submitted T.J Brown with an unusual guillotine choke in the second round.

The 30-year-old American had his hand raised for the 18th time in his professional career, but one judge didn’t see it that way.

Despite Griffin actually securing the victory in the round and Brown being choked unconscious, judge Brian Costello scored the round in favour of Brown.

Now we’re not kidding, the official scorecard showed two judges scoring the round to Griffin (10-7, 10-9). Costello clearly wasn’t impressed and liked what Brown did … somehow.

Can someone please explain this scorecard to me? ? #UFCNorfolk pic.twitter.com/DGDtXYS2La

The bizarre scorecard left many puzzled by the scoring, but more were left asking why the round had been scored when it ended before the bell. MMA reporter Adam Martin proclaimed it was the “first time I have seen a commission score a round that was not completed. Doesn’t make sense.”

Despite the unexplainable scoring, Griffin left jaws on the floor with his stoppage finish coming from an unusual position.

Jordan Griffin chokes T.J. Brown unconscious with a guillotine choke from the bottom when Brown is in side control. Griffin had no control over his body and still choked him out. Wow.

Pretty rare to finish a blood choke from the bottom when you aren't controlling the top fighter's legs. A wild man sub from Jordan Griffin. Moral of the story is power guillotines can be found anywhere.

Man, that guillotine was so tight. It was like a marcelotine but deep into half guard. So strange, but impressive move by Jordan Griffin. #UFCNorfolk

Earlier on the card Spike Carlyle delivered a savage finish in his UFC debut as he brutalised his opponent Aalon Cruz.

After being backed up onto the cage, Carlyle hit Cruz with a brutal elbow that dropped him to the canvas where Carlyle began pommeling down blow after blow.

“Muay Thai-style elbow (with a borderline arc) in close from Carlyle for the finish. Wow,” MMA analyst Dan Tom tweeted.

“That goddamned ginger power!” MMA reporter Stephie Haynes wrote.

That's a MAJOR UFC debut for Spike Carlyle!! ?? #UFCNorfolk pic.twitter.com/nRgR7egfQD

MAIN CARD

Deiveson Figueiredo defeated Joseph Benavidez via KO (strikes), 1:54 of round 2

Felicia Spencer defeated Zarah Fairn dos Santos via KO (punches), 3:37 of round 1

Magomedov Ankalaev defeated Ion Cutelaba via KO (punches and kicks), :38 of round 1

Megan Anderson defeated Norma Dumont via KO (punch), 3:31 of round 1

Grant Dawson defeated Darrick Minner via submission (rear naked choke), 1:38 of round 2

PRELIMINARY CARD

Kyler Phillips def. Gabriel Silva via Unanimous Decision (30-27 x3)

Brendan Allen def. Tom Breese via TKO (strikes) at 4:47 of Round 1

Marcin Tybura def. Serghei Spivac by unanimous decision (30-27 x2, 29-28)

Luis Pena def. Steve Garcia by unanimous decision (30-27 x3)

Jordan Griffin def. T.J. Brown by submission (guillotine choke) at 3:38 for round 2

Spike Carlyle def. Aalon Cruz by TKO (strikes) at 1:25 of round 1

Sean Brady def. Ismail Naurdiev by unanimous decision (29-28 x2, 30-27)

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