Figueiredo Edges Jackson by Split Decision at UFC Rio

Former two-time flyweight champion Deiveson Figueiredo edged Montel Jackson by split decision in the co-main event of UFC Rio on Saturday night at the Farmasi Arena in Rio de Janeiro, preserving his bid to remain a factor in the bantamweight title picture. Judges scored the fight 29-28, 29-28 and 28-29 for Figueiredo after three largely tactical rounds that emphasized control over explosive finishes.

Figueiredo, 37, secured an early takedown about a minute into the opening round and spent much of the fight working from top position and against the cage, using grappling and ground control to blunt Jackson’s reach and boxing. Jackson, who entered the fight on a six-fight winning streak and ranked in the division, showed moments of range and striking but was unable to produce a decisive strike or late rally. Commentators and viewers described the bout as low in output, with neither fighter producing a clear momentum-shifting sequence after the opening exchanges.

The victory halts Jackson’s rise and gives Figueiredo a needed rebound after consecutive losses to Petr Yan and Cory Sandhagen, the latter of which included a knee injury. Figueiredo began his career at flyweight and moved...