Moreno taps out Figueiredo to capture UFC flyweight title

After going to a draw with Deiveson Figueiredo in December, Brandon Moreno emerged as the best flyweight in the UFC in Saturday's rematch.

Moreno submitted Figueiredo with a rear-naked choke at the 2:26 mark of the third round in the UFC 263 co-main event to win the 125-pound title at Gila River Arena in Glendale, Arizona.

Moreno became the first Mexican-born champion in UFC history with the victory.

His performance was virtually flawless. "The Assassin Baby" outworked Figueiredo on the feet and dropped the former champion with a left jab in the first round.

In the second frame, Moreno took Figueiredo down and controlled him on the ground for an extended period of time.

Figueiredo opened up with strikes at the start of the third round, but Moreno quickly got him to the mat, took his back, and attempted to lock in the rear-naked choke. Figueiredo fended off the choke initially, but Moreno went back to the submission and eventually forced the tap from Figueiredo.

The first bout between Moreno and Figueiredo took place at UFC 256, with the flyweights battling to a majority draw in a "Fight of the Year" candidate.

With the victory, Moreno improved his unbeaten streak to seven. The 27-year-old hasn't lost a fight since May 2018.

Figueiredo, 33, saw his six-fight unbeaten streak come to an end. This was his first loss since a March 2019 decision against Jussier Formiga and his second defeat as a professional. Figueiredo had not been finished until Saturday.