Fight Log
Loading Fight Log...
More Fantasy News
Former contender again dominated
Benavidez lost to Askar Askarov via unanimous decision (27-30, 27-30, 26-30) at UFC 259 on Saturday in Las Vegas.
ANALYSIS
It's the third straight defeat for the soon-to-be 37-year-old Benavidez, who looks just about done. Long known as one of the most powerful and explosive flyweights on the planet, Joe B has seemingly lost all his athleticism and confidence overnight. Yes, the three straight defeats came at the hands of current UFC Flyweight Champion Deiveson Figueiredo (twice) and a top contender in Askarov, but Benavidez hasn't been the least bit competitive in any of the three. It's difficult to tell if Benavidez is truly shot or if he's just getting beaten by younger, better fighters, but his advanced age would lead you to believe it's the former. Joe B is a proud athlete and it remains to be seen if he's comfortable in "gatekeeper" status, because that's where he is firmly heading. For comparison sake, Benavidez has lost three times in the past 13 months. His prior three defeats came over a near seven-year span.
It's the third straight defeat for the soon-to-be 37-year-old Benavidez, who looks just about done. Long known as one of the most powerful and explosive flyweights on the planet, Joe B has seemingly lost all his athleticism and confidence overnight. Yes, the three straight defeats came at the hands of current UFC Flyweight Champion Deiveson Figueiredo (twice) and a top contender in Askarov, but Benavidez hasn't been the least bit competitive in any of the three. It's difficult to tell if Benavidez is truly shot or if he's just getting beaten by younger, better fighters, but his advanced age would lead you to believe it's the former. Joe B is a proud athlete and it remains to be seen if he's comfortable in "gatekeeper" status, because that's where he is firmly heading. For comparison sake, Benavidez has lost three times in the past 13 months. His prior three defeats came over a near seven-year span.
Set to battle Askarov in March
Benavidez (28-7-0) is slated to face Askar Askarov (13-0-1) in a flyweight fight March 6 at UFC 259, Damon Martin of MMAFighting.com reports.
ANALYSIS
Benavidez will be looking to rebound from back-to-back losses to flyweight champion Deiveson Figueiredo, who defeated Benavidez this past February and July. The two losses dropped Benavidez's record to 13-5-0 since he joined the flyweight division.
Benavidez will be looking to rebound from back-to-back losses to flyweight champion Deiveson Figueiredo, who defeated Benavidez this past February and July. The two losses dropped Benavidez's record to 13-5-0 since he joined the flyweight division.
Again fails in quest for UFC gold
Benavidez again came up short in his quest for the UFC Flyweight Championship on Saturday, falling to Deiveson Figueiredo via submission (Rear-Naked Choke) at 4:48 of Round 1 at UFC Fight Night in Abu Dhabi.
ANALYSIS
Benavidez has now had four attempts to win the UFC Flyweight Championship and has come up short each time. He almost certainly won't receive a fifth shot. The most concerning thing about this fight wasn't the fact Joe B lost, but how it happened. He was dropped by a massive shot from Figueiredo just moments into the fight and was never able to recover. He was able to survive a pair of deep chokes before finally tapping out. It was only a matter of time. Simply put, Benavidez wasn't the least bit competitive. Joe B has been a pro since June of 2006, and this was the first time he has ever been submitted. Benavidez has a decision to make. He obviously still has enough left in the tank to defeat the vast majority of flyweights on the roster, but the UFC would never be able to book him in another title fight anytime soon, and it remains to be seen if Joe B wants to try to climb the mountain once again. He will turn 36 years of age July 31. Benavidez seems all but certain to go down as one of the best fighters in UFC history to never win a title.
Benavidez has now had four attempts to win the UFC Flyweight Championship and has come up short each time. He almost certainly won't receive a fifth shot. The most concerning thing about this fight wasn't the fact Joe B lost, but how it happened. He was dropped by a massive shot from Figueiredo just moments into the fight and was never able to recover. He was able to survive a pair of deep chokes before finally tapping out. It was only a matter of time. Simply put, Benavidez wasn't the least bit competitive. Joe B has been a pro since June of 2006, and this was the first time he has ever been submitted. Benavidez has a decision to make. He obviously still has enough left in the tank to defeat the vast majority of flyweights on the roster, but the UFC would never be able to book him in another title fight anytime soon, and it remains to be seen if Joe B wants to try to climb the mountain once again. He will turn 36 years of age July 31. Benavidez seems all but certain to go down as one of the best fighters in UFC history to never win a title.
Locked in for title fight
Benavidez weighed in at 125 pounds for his matchup against Deiveson Figueiredo for the UFC Flyweight Championship at UFC Fight Island 2 on Saturday.
ANALYSIS
Benavidez took a tough loss to Figueiredo in their first matchup back in February, as he was outlanding his opponent 46-to-25 prior to getting stopped in the second round. Some who watched the fight note an accidental clash of heads resulting in extra damage and potentially affecting the outcome. Nonetheless, since Figueiredo missed weight for the original bout, he was unable to become champion, effectively giving Benavidez one more shot. Figueiredo is the younger fighter with a bit more power in his hands, but Benavidez has far more experience and statistically superior striking numbers. Despite those advantages, the outcome of the first fight seems to be fresh in the minds of oddsmakers, as Benavidez will enter this bout as approximately a (+180) betting underdog.
Benavidez took a tough loss to Figueiredo in their first matchup back in February, as he was outlanding his opponent 46-to-25 prior to getting stopped in the second round. Some who watched the fight note an accidental clash of heads resulting in extra damage and potentially affecting the outcome. Nonetheless, since Figueiredo missed weight for the original bout, he was unable to become champion, effectively giving Benavidez one more shot. Figueiredo is the younger fighter with a bit more power in his hands, but Benavidez has far more experience and statistically superior striking numbers. Despite those advantages, the outcome of the first fight seems to be fresh in the minds of oddsmakers, as Benavidez will enter this bout as approximately a (+180) betting underdog.
Gets another flyweight title shot
Benavidez is slated for a July 18 rematch against Deiveson Figueiredo for the vacant UFC Flyweight Championship, MMAFighting.com reports.
ANALYSIS
Benavidez fell short in his quest for a flyweight title the last time these two met in February, as he was finished in the second round via TKO (punches). Since Figueiredo missed weight, however, neither combatant came away with the belt formerly held by Henry Cejudo, which remains vacant to this day. It's also worth noting that Benavidez was struck with an accidental headbutt early in Round 2 that many presumed played a major role in the fight getting stopped. Benavidez had been winning the battle of significant strikes 46 to 25 at the time of the stoppage -- a pace for a strong fantasy score had the bout extended the full 25 minutes. Benavidez closed as a (-175) betting favorite for their first fight, but it appears the tables have turned following that result, as he opened as a (+130) underdog shortly after the announcement.
Benavidez fell short in his quest for a flyweight title the last time these two met in February, as he was finished in the second round via TKO (punches). Since Figueiredo missed weight, however, neither combatant came away with the belt formerly held by Henry Cejudo, which remains vacant to this day. It's also worth noting that Benavidez was struck with an accidental headbutt early in Round 2 that many presumed played a major role in the fight getting stopped. Benavidez had been winning the battle of significant strikes 46 to 25 at the time of the stoppage -- a pace for a strong fantasy score had the bout extended the full 25 minutes. Benavidez closed as a (-175) betting favorite for their first fight, but it appears the tables have turned following that result, as he opened as a (+130) underdog shortly after the announcement.