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          Fighters react to the thrilling UFC 256 main event between Deiveson Figueiredo and Brandon Moreno

          Deiveson Figueiredo, left, retained the UFC flyweight title, fighting Brandon Moreno to a majority draw on Saturday night. Jeff Bottari/Zuffa LLC
          • ESPN
          Dec 13, 2020, 06:56 AM

          In recent years, the UFC was believed by many to be all but set on eliminating its flyweight division. Now, UFC president Dana White is certainly glad he didn't go through with that decision.

          On Saturday night, flyweight champion Deiveson Figueiredo and challenger Brandon Moreno put on an instant classic at UFC 256 in Las Vegas. The back-and-forth bout was scored a majority draw, with Figueiredo keeping the title. When it was over, play-by-play man Jon Anik said on the ESPN+ pay-per-view broadcast that White told Moreno the fight was the best he has seen in the history of the 125-pound division. It's a point difficult to argue and perhaps made more impressive with both fighters having competed just three weeks ago.

          The fighters traded heavy shots throughout the five-round battle, which saw Figueiredo come out strong but appear to tire in the later rounds. His kick below the belt in the third round would ultimately cost him the victory. It dropped Moreno to the mat, and as he recovered, referee Jason Herzog deducted a point from Figueiredo for the foul.

          That indeed was unfortunate, but it didn't take away from the intensity of the contest. Numerous UFC fighters, past and present, took to social media immediately after the fight to salute both competitors, with some calling for a rematch while others disagreed with the point deduction.