Rewatch Deconstructing MMADecisions Part 4 – Figueiredo vs Moreno 1

[Alexander_GOATanovski]

Thread Purpose: To determine the best scorecard for the match between Deiveson Figueiredo and Brandon Moreno at UFC 256. Any future inquiries into the scoring of this fight will have this thread as a better reference than MMADecisions. Skip to the conclusions section for the TL;DR

Fight Background: On Dec 12 2020, Brandon Moreno challenged Deiveson Figueiredo for the Flyweight title. The bout ended in a majority DRAW. I will determine the best scorecard for the match by (1) reviewing the scoring criteria and (2) reviewing everything applicable to the scoring criteria.

The Scoring Criteria
The scoring criteria from the 2017 Official Unified Rules was used by the judges. The relevant parts are:

Legal blows that have immediate or cumulative impact with the potential to contribute towards the end of the match with the IMMEDIATE weighing in more heavily than the cumulative impact. [...] It shall be noted that a successful takedown is not merely a changing of position, but the establishment of an attack from the use of the takedown. Top and bottom position fighters are assessed more on the impactful/effective result of their actions, more so than their position.[…] The next two criteria must be treated as a backup and used ONLY when Effective Striking/Grappling is 100% equal for the round.

Impact includes visible evidence such as swelling and lacerations. Impact shall also be assessed when a fighter’s actions, using striking and/or grappling, lead to a diminishing of their opponents’ energy, confidence, abilities and spirit. All of these come as a direct result of impact.

Effective grappling happens in rounds 4 & 5 but effective striking determines the winner of all rounds including rounds 4 & 5 where the fighter with more effective grappling also had more effective striking.

Round by Round Scoring
Round X: (Head strikes, Body strikes, Leg strikes) vs (Head strikes, Body strikes, Leg strikes)

• Clock time – Strike 1
• Clock time – Strike 2
• Etc

Every round is summarized in bullet points with each of them being an instance of effective striking w/ the corresponding clock time. Missed strikes, ones that hit the guard or pitter patter aren’t recorded. I don’t have all the camera angles to this fight so my view is limited. Red text is used for Moreno and blue text is used for Figueiredo. I boldened any strike that I considered particularly impactful. A note about ufcstats: my numbers might not perfectly match up because (1) I have only 1 angle and (2) ufcstats might not be 100% accurate.

If you want to dispute a bullet point or think I’m missing something, please let me know.

Round 1: (27, 1, 0) vs (19, 7, 2)

Spoiler: Round 1 Effective Striking

• 4:51 – Left jab to the head: lands flush on jaw, very strong
• 4:51 – Left hook to the head: slapping hook, much weaker than Fig’s jab
• 4:47 – Left jab to the head
• 4:43 – Left jab to the head: similar to 4:51
• 4:09 – Left jab to the body: grazing shot, deflected off Moreno’s glove
• 3:56 – Left jab to the head
• 3:54 – Left jab to the head
• 3:50 – Left jab to the head: mostly blocked by gloves
• 3:48 – Right hook to the body: very strong, possible kidney shot
• 3:45 – Right hook to the head: arm punch, weak
• 3:42 – Left jab to the head: bonks side of head, weak
• 3:41 – Left hook to the stomach + to the head: arm punch to the head, weak
• 3:36 – Left jab to the head
• 3:36 – Left jab to the head: roughly even in power, Fig’s might be weaker
• 3:26 – Right hook to the head: lands on jaw, torques head
• 3:04 – Left jab to the head: might have landed but not likely
• 3:01 – Left hook to the head: Fig turning in the same direction lessened it but still strong
• 3:01 – Left hook to the chest: doesn’t land clean
• 2:56 – Left hook to the head: torques head
• 2:55 – Left hook to the head: partial connection weak
• 2:50, 2:41 – Calf kick
• 2:37 – Left jab to the head: jolts head back, lands on eye socket
• 2:27 – Left jab to the head: lands flush on jaw
• 2:26 – Left hook to the head: probably weaker than Moreno’s jab
• 2:21 – Left jab to the head: arm punch, weak
• 2:03 – Left jab to the head: grazing shot, not impactful
• 1:44 – Left jab to the head: jolts head back
• 1:43 – Left hook to the head: powerful but grazing shot
• 1:42 – Left head kick: very powerful but mostly blocked, only toes seem to land
• 1:31 – Front kick to the body: lands on stomach
• 1:28 – Left hook to the head: lands on ear, powerful despite Moreno bracing for it
• 1:27 – Right hook to the body: can’t see from this angle
• 1:21 – Left uppercut to the head: stronger than Moreno’s jab
• 1:21 – Left jab to the head
• 1:20 – Right uppercut to the body?
• 1:13, 1:10 – Left jab to the head: slight connection on nose, 2nd one a bit better
• 1:02 – Left jab to the head: one of the strongest jabs of the fight, lands inside socket
• 0:56 – Left jab to the head: grazing shot that goes past the ear
• 0:56 – Left hook to the head: slapping hook, arm punch
• 0:53 – Right elbow to the head (x2): nastiest shot of the round so far, 2nd one is weaker though
• 0:49 – Left jab to the head: lands on forehead
• 0:41 – Left head kick: this isn’t effective because it hit the forearm/glove, only acknowledging it in case someone asks about this
• 0:30 – Left head kick: lands on the temple, very powerful causes a small stumble
• 0:23 – Left uppercut to the body
• 0:21 – Left hook to the head: impact greatened by Fig coming in, forearm also makes contact
• 0:15 – Left hook to the head: slapping hook, arm punch
• 0:14 – Left hook to the head: very strong despite Moreno bracing for it
• 0:13 – Right hook to the head: grazing shot
• 0:09 – Left hook to the head
• 0:05 – Left jab to the head: partial connection on ear
• 0:05 – Left jab to the head: taps top of head
• 0:02 – Left hook to the head: can’t see it from this angle, weak despite Fig rushing in

Spoiler: Round 1 Summary

- Fig attempts and fails a double leg takedown along the fence of 4:42, fails because Moreno got double underhooks in
- Moreno attempts and fails takedowns w/ (1) body lock (4:23) and (2) single leg (2:29): (1) fails because Fig granby rolled and elevated with butterfly and (2) was foiled by an underhook
- Moreno fell down after a failed 2:20 head kick attempt but Fig couldn’t capitalize on anything as Moreno gets back up at 2:05, no effective grappling this round
- Despite landing more head strikes, there is a very noticeable power difference as Fig’s head strikes are overall more impactful
- Fig had a distinct advantage in effective striking towards all targets, clear 10 – 9 Fig round

Round 2: (25, 6, 1*) vs (21, 7, 6)

Spoiler: Round 2 Effective Striking

• 4:27, 4:22, 4:12, 3:21, 2:09, 1:08 – Calf kick

• 4:54 – Right cross to the head: very powerful but lands at the end of the punch
• 4:50 – Right cross to the head: forearm connects along jaw, strong but little head torque
• 4:44 – Front kick to the head: partial connection
• 4:34 – Right hook to the body + head: great head strike, Fig backs up
• 4:30 – Left jab to the head: exaggerated head movement
• 4:17 – Left jab to the head: great shot, lands inside left socket
• 4:09 – Left jab to the head: grazing shot
• 4:08 – Left jab to the head: stronger than Moreno’s jabs
• 3:56 – Left hook to the head: arm punch, doesn’t land clean
• 3:51 – Left hook to the body
• 3:47 – Left jab to the head: upwards towards the forehead
• 3:43 – Right cross to the head: powerful shot, lands flush on jaw, little head torque
• 3:42 – Left hook + right hook to the body & Left hook + right hook to the head
• 3:41 – Left hook to the head: slapping hook, weaker than Fig’s shots
• 3:39 – Right hook to the kidney
• 3:38 – Left hook to the body
• 3:30 – Left jab to the head: powerful shot probably landed on the nose, jolts head back
• 3:29 – Left jab to the head: much weaker than Fig’s, lands on side of head
• 2:48 – Right elbow to the head: landed while on back, sharp end of elbow connects
• 2:38 – Left hook to the head
• 2:37 – Right cross to the head: powerful but grazing shot
• 2:37 – Right hook to the head: partial connection, mostly lands behind ears
• 2:31 – Right cross to the head: Powerful but Moreno rolled with it
• 2:30 – Left hook to the head: mostly blocked but still very powerful
• 2:30 – Left hook to the head: lands flush on jaw
• 2:24 – Left jab to the head: partial connection
• 1:59 – Left hook to the head: powerful, torques head
• 1:59 – Left hook to the head: weaker, counter shot
• 1:46 – Left jab to the head: grazing shot
• 1:26 – Left kick to the body: powerful shot, appears to go under elbows but probably only partial connection
• 1:22 – Right hook to the head: very powerful shot lands flush on cheek, no jolt/torque
• 0:58 – Calf kick: Moreno landed 0 leg kicks this round according to ufcstats, not to me
• 0:57 – Left jab to the head: grazing shot that hits the nose
• 0:47 – Left jab to the head: step in, appears to land clean
• 0:40 – Right hook to the head: grazing shot slightly torques head
• 0:40 – Left hook to the body + right hook to the head: partial connection to head, hurts Moreno’s eye
• 0:36 – Right cross to the head: powerful shot, lands flush, jolts back
• 0:27 – Right elbow to the head: landed while on back, forearm connects on side of head
• 0:19 – Right hook to the head: powerful but only partial connection
• 0:14 – Left jab to the head: grazing shot, very minor connection on ear
• 0:14 – Left jab to the head: moves all of Moreno back
• 0:12 – Left jab + right cross + left hook to the head: cross is one of the strongest strikes of the round, torques head
• 0:07 – Right hook to the body: not that strong
• 0:06 – Left jab to the head: jolts head back, exaggerated movement on Fig’s part
• 0:01 – Left hook to the head
• 0:01 – Left hook to the head: neither appear strong or hit cleanly

Spoiler: Round 2 Summary

- Moreno lands takedowns using an outside leg trip in the clinch at 3:05 and 0:32
- Moreno gets eye poked at 3:01 while in Fig’s guard, not sure if intentional
- Fig gets back up at 2:39 by barrel rolling from under and at 0:21
- No effective grappling happened during this round
- Something bothering Moreno’s eye at 0:38, frame by frame doesn’t show any eye poke and was caused by 0:40 grazing right hook to the head, ref confirms it was a legal strike
- Missing 2 body strikes for Moreno and for Fig, 3 head strikes for Fig, couldn’t find them anywhere
- Best strike of the round appears to the 3:43 right cross or 0:12 right cross or 1:22 right hook
- This is not an easy round to score on first watch, most who would score this for Moreno would talk about the takedowns but his strongest 1 – 3 strikes being as strong as Fig’s is what makes it difficult
- Fig has the edge in head strikes despite landing fewer, landed 9/15 of notable strikes. Moreno’s best strikes are as good as Fig’s but are too few making this a 10 – 9 Fig round

 

[Alexander_GOATanovski]

Round 3: (23, 1, 1) vs (14, 6, 1)

Spoiler: Round 3 Effective Striking

• 4:54 – Left jab to the body
• 4:54 – Left jab to the head: Fig moving in greatened the impact
• 4:45 – Right hook to the head: very powerful, lands flush on the ear, head violently goes back, Moreno’s eyes appear to almost go out
• 4:44 – Right cross to the head: powerful, partial connection
• 4:38 – Left kick to the head: shin connects across the face
• 4:36 – Left head kick: unsure if it landed cleanly or blocked by shoulder
• 4:32 – Left hook to the head: slapping hook, arm punch, sounds stronger than it is
• 4:29 – Right hook to the body: very powerful, kidney punch
• 4:24 – Left kick to the body: lands below arm but above liver, not strong
• 4:12 – Left kick to the body: arm reduces some impact but aimed towards liver
• 4:08 – Left hook to the head: powerful, torques head
• 4:07 – Right hook to the body + left hook to the head: aimed at kidney + torques head
• 4:04 – Right elbow to the head: powerful step-in, Moreno might have pre-emptively rolled with it
• 4:03 – Left hook + right cross to the head: slapping arm punch hook
• 3:59 – Left jab to the head: lands on ear, decent shot
• 3:52 – Right front kick to the body: good shot
• 3:44 – Left jab to the head: very partial connection
• 3:43 – Left hook to the head: arm punch, weak
• 3:12 – Left jab to the head: bonks forehead
• 3:07 – Left jab to the head: Moreno’s most powerful jab
• 2:55 – Inside lead leg kick
• 2:44 – Left jab to the head: lands flush, jolts head back
• 2:40 – Left hook to the head: arm punch, weak
• 2:40 – Left hook to the head: mostly blocked but still powerful enough to torque head
• 2:33 – Right hook to the head: landed while Fig retreats
• 2:30 – Left uppercut + left hook to the head
• 2:29 – Left hook to the head: grazing shot
• 2:20 – Left hook to the head: lands on back of head, not legal
• 2:14 – Left hook to the head: lands on jaw, torques head
• 1:57 – Left hook to the head: good shot lands on temple
• 1:55 – Left jab to the head: Fig pulls reducing jab’s impact
• 1:54 – Left hook to the head: grazing shot
• 1:40 – Left knee to the body
• 1:39 – Left hook to the head: partial connection
• 0:49 – Left hook to the head: weak
• 0:31 – Calf kick
• 0:18 – Right hook to the head: very powerful, torques head, Fig stays persistent
• 0:13 – Left hook to the head
• 0:13 – Left hook to the head: Fig’s appears a bit stronger

Spoiler: Round 3 Summary

- Moreno fails a single leg takedown at 4:37 and a body lock at 3:38
- Front kick to the body attempt at 1:50 becomes a low blow and a 1 point penalty for Fig
- Fig completes a single leg takedown at 1:19, accomplishes nothing, Moreno gets up at 0:51
- Missing 4 head strikes for Fig, ufcstats is probably counting the hard shots that were blocked but still strong enough to move Moreno
- Fig’s great body shots leave no doubt about who has the edge in effective striking
- Clear 9 – 9 round after the point deduction towards Fig

Round 4: (36, 4, 0) vs (28, 10, 0)

Spoiler: Round 4 Effective Striking

• 4:56 – Right flying knee to the body
• 4:46 – Left hook to the head: lands on ear, appears weaker than jab
• 4:47 – Left jab to the head: lands flush on chin, Moreno takes steps back
• 4:40 – Left jab to the head: caught at the end, exaggerated head movement
• 4:36 – Left hook to the head: mostly blocked
• 4:36 – Left hook to the head: connects on jaw and neck, appears stronger
• 4:32 – Left jab to the head
• 4:29 – Left hook to the head: lands on jaw
• 4:29 – Left hook to the head: Fig’s appears stronger, Moreno’s head jolts sideways
• 4:26 – Left hook to the body + right hook to the head: liver shot + torques head
• 4:20 – Left hook to the body + left hook to the head: liver shot, Fig framing on Moreno’s chest reduced impact of hook to the head
• 4:20 – Left jab + right hook to the head: jab connects on nose and torques head backwards, hook much weaker than jab
• 4:19 – Left hook to the head: counter to jab, appears weak
• 4:17 – Left jab to the head: lands on side of head
• 4:14 – Right kick to the body: lands above kidney and below arm, powerful but not meaningful
• 4:13 – Left hook to the head: arm punch, appears stronger than it actually is
• 4:09 – Right hook to the head: lands clean, torques head
• 4:04 – Right head kick: blocked but still powerful to hurt Fig, best strike so far, Fig recovers well
• 4:01 – Left jab to the head: lands on side of head
• 4:01 – Left jab to the head: Moreno landed first, but also ran into the jab greatening the impact
• 3:48 – Right hook to the head: very strong but only partially connects
• 3:47 – Left jab to the head: pull reduces impact
• 3:25 – Left hook to the head: landed on ground, head has nowhere to go
• 3:03 – Right hook to the head: mostly blocked
• 2:59 – Right hook to the head: mostly blocked, still strong enough to jolt head sideways
• 2:57 – Left jab to the head: partial connection
• 2:57 – Right hook + left hook + right hook to the body: rights aimed towards kidney, left towards the liver
• 2:56 – Left hook to the head: partially blocked, still powerful enough to jolt head
• 2:53 – Left jab to the head: caught at the end
• 2:48 – Right uppercut to the head: Moreno rolls back still gets clipped hard
• 2:48 – Left jab to the head: Fig walking into it greatened impact
• 2:48 – Left hook to the head: mostly blocked, still moves Moreno
• 2:43 – Left jab to the head: decent shot sneaks through the high guard
• 2:40 – Right elbow to the head: great power but mostly blocked by Moreno’s forearm
• 2:31 – Left hook to the head: bonks temple, torques head sideways
• 2:30 – Left jab + right cross + right hook (x2) to the head: cross & hooks badly hurts Moreno
• 2:28 – Right hook to the body
• 2:26 – Left hook + right hook + left hook to the head: first hook torques head, Fig still wobbled
• 2:25 – Left jab to the head: lands flush, moves head back
• 2:22 – Left hook to the chest
• 2:14 – Left jab to the head: jolts and torques head
• 2:12 – Left jab to the head: connects on ear and neck
• 2:12 – Left jab to the head: roughly even in power, Moreno rushing in greatened impact
• 2:05 – Left jab to the head: connects on mouth and nose
• 1:58 – Right cross to the head: very powerful, jolts head back
• 1:57 – Left jab to the head: decent shot
• 1:55 – Right cross to the head: torques head
• 1:55 – Left hook to the head: weaker than cross, counter punch
• 1:50 – Left jab to the chest
• 1:50 – Left jab to the head: connects on ear
• 1:42 – Left jab to the body
• 1:42 – Left jab to the head: jolts head, stepping in greatened impact
• 1:41 – Right cross to the head: lands while Fig is crouched
• 1:39 – Left jab to the head: lands near eye socket, jolts head back
• 1:29 – Left jab to the head
• 1:26 – Left jab to the head: lands near eye socket
• 1:20 – Right cross to the head
• 1:18 – Right hook to the body + to the head: very powerful shots, lands on jaw
• 0:24 – Left hook to the head: 12-6 shot that makes head bounce on canvas
• 0:15 – Left hook to the head: powerful shot lands flush on face while Fig retreats

Spoiler: Round 4 Summary

- Moreno completes a double leg takedown at 3:42 and body lock takedown at 1:14
- Fig tries and fails a takedown at 2:24
- Moreno is able to establish attacks from the use of a takedown which does constitute effective grappling
- This effective grappling doesn’t need to be weighed in to determine the round because Moreno had a clear edge in effective striking, most dominant round of the fight and closest the fight has gotten to a finish was Fig badly hurt from the 2:30 six-piece meal
- Fig landed more than enough notable strikes to prevent this from being a 10 – 8 round
- Missing 2 body strikes for Moreno and 5 head strikes for Fig

Round 5: (7, 1, 0) vs (11, 4, 1)

Spoiler: Round 5 Effective Striking

• 4:15 – Left kick to the body: powerful but only partially connects, above the liver
• 4:12 – Left jab to the head
• 3:48 – Left cross + right hook to the head: cross landed while Moreno’s feet were planted, hook torques head despite partial block
• 3:47 – Left jab to the head: grazing shot
• 3:31 – Left hook to the head: inside of arm makes contact with face
• 2:34 – Left jab to the head: partial connection
• 2:33 – Left hook to the head: casting punch, blocked and still manages to torque head
• 2:12 – Left kick to the body: aimed towards liver
• 2:07 – Left hook to the head: wrist makes contact with side of head
• 2:02 – Left hook to the head: decent shot, torques head
• 1:54 – Left hook to the head: powerful but mostly blocked
• 1:29 – Left hook to the body: aimed towards liver
• 1:21 – Calf kick: checked
• 1:09 – Left hook to the head: still connects through the high guard
• 1:03 – Left hook to the head
• 1:00 – Left hook to the head
• 0:45 – Right cross to the head: good shot, appears to hurt Fig a bit
• 0:06 – Right hammerfist to the head: 12-6 motion
• 0:04 – Right hammerfist to the head
• 0:02 – Right hammerfist to the head
• 0:00 – Right hammerfist to the head

Spoiler: Round 5 Summary

- Fig lands an outside trip at 0:11 causing Moreno to land awkwardly on his head and facilitated the 4 hammerfists, effective grappling
- Least active round of the entire fight
- Two blocked head kicks at 4:21 and 4:18 caused a slight shoulder dislocation towards Moreno
- Fig holds a clear advantage in effective striking on top of the effective grappling making this a 10 – 9 round
- Missing a body strike for both Moreno and Fig, couldn’t find them

Conclusions

1. Despite the difference in power in was Fig that was in greater danger of getting stopped in the middle of round 4, did a great job and reducing Moreno’s chances of capitalizing
2. This fight was competitive but not difficult to score
3. The most to least dominant rounds are: 4 > 3 > 1 = 5 > 2
4. The correct scorecard is 48 – 46 Figueredo (1 2 3 5) and Moreno does not have a compelling argument for winning at UFC 256

My goal for this series was to cover two decisions per week and I was originally going to cover DC vs Gustafsson next. Unfortunately, the recent fight involving Masvidal has made Colby fans insufferable so I'm going to do Usman vs Covington 2 instead, stay tuned. There won't be any more "Colby arguably won" malarkey once I'm through with them.

 

[Question]

I saw it that way too, again great job bro.
Hopefully the 4th fight brings a good conclusion to this rivalry.

I'm hyped to see the Usman/Colby 2 one you're planning on doing next.

 

[SteveColdStone]

The first fight was really a victory for Fig. I consider him to be 2-1 up but Moreno does have a finish.

 

[Fatback96]

While I agree that Fig won, I can’t get over that fact that every time Moreno landed anything clean to the head, Fig looked hurt or visibly affected in a meaningful way.

I still think Fig won the decision, but his optics were not great.

 

[RockyLockridge]

My goal for this series was to cover two decisions per week and I was originally going to cover DC vs Gustafsson next. Unfortunately, the recent fight involving Masvidal has made Colby fans insufferable so I'm going to do Usman vs Covington 2 instead, stay tuned. There won't be any more "Colby arguably won" malarkey once I'm through with them.

that's not good! it sounds like you've made up your mind before the report is out!

but anyways good job with this one, because honestly i didn't score it a draw i scored it the same as you did

 

[jeff7b9]

that's not good! it sounds like you've made up your mind before the report is out!

but anyways good job with this one, because honestly i didn't score it a draw i scored it the same as you did

Check out my unbiased analysis about why everyone who disagrees with me is wrong!

 

[Joshuaace]

"Moreno gets eye poked at 3:01 while in Fig’s guard, not sure if intentional"

I quit reading right there. Clearly intentional. Instant DQ and ban worthy.

 

[Alexander_GOATanovski]

that's not good! it sounds like you've made up your mind before the report is out!

but anyways good job with this one, because honestly i didn't score it a draw i scored it the same as you did

I've already gone through rounds 3 - 5 for that fight before even creating this thread. I know what the scorecard is going to be.

Check out my unbiased analysis about why everyone who disagrees with me is wrong!

I don't understand why you felt the need to say this. Do these threads make you upset or do you dislike them?

 

[markys00]

These threads are too difficult. There are way too many incompetent judges, crappy judging criteria and inconsistencies everywhere we look.

Just rewatched dillashaw/sandhagen and DC was asked about scoring and he basically said he has no idea what judges are looking at anymore. It's true

 

[RockyLockridge]

These threads are too difficult. There are way too many incompetent judges, crappy judging criteria and inconsistencies everywhere we look.

Just rewatched dillashaw/sandhagen and DC was asked about scoring and he basically said he has no idea what judges are looking at anymore. It's true

TJ vs Sandhagen would be a good one too

 

[markys00]

TJ vs Sandhagen would be a good one too

For sure. Tough one to score.

I can see it going either way with that one. Lots of nuisances in judging that many ppl don't know about.

Some fighters don't even know about lol

 

[rear naked ankle pick]

Too much work for what, TS? You can see results of that particular fight online. No need to waste time "decostructing" fights with wall of text not many will read and nobody will care about

 

[jeff7b9]

I've already gone through rounds 3 - 5 for that fight before even creating this thread. I know what the scorecard is going to be.

I don't understand why you felt the need to say this. Do these threads make you upset or do you dislike them?

If can't take a joke or worse don't grasp the concept of a joke... Must be rough on the webs for you.