The flyweight division remains in limbo after no champion was crowned at UFC Fight Night 169 last weekend in Norfolk, Va. Figueiredo defeated Benavidez by second-round technical knockout in the evening’s main event but was ineligible to win the flyweight belt because he missed weight one day prior.
Benavidez was cut open by an accidental clash of heads during an exchange in the second frame, and moments later, Figueiredo dropped his foe with a powerful right hand. A few follow-up hammerfists ended the contest at the 1:54 mark of Round 2.
During a media scrum in Las Vegas, White said that he believes a rematch is the way to go due to both the failed weight cut and the accidental head butt.
“That was a great fight,” White said (video via the Las Vegas-Review Journal). “Absolutely, I think the head butt had a lot to do with the knockout too. Not taking anything away from [Figueiredo]. I think you have to do that fight again.
“First of all, he didn’t make weight. Joe still fought him. There was a head butt. A lot of controversy in that fight. It was a great fight. Both guys came to fight. I’m sure you know how I feel about him not making weight. We’ll do it again. They both deserve it.”
While it appeared that the future of the flyweight division could be uncertain with no champion crowned, White confirmed that 125-pound gold will be on the line in the targeted rematch.
“Will it be a title fight? Yeah,” White said.