Getty Joseph Benavidez arrives at the sixth annual Fighters Only World Mixed Martial Arts Awards at The Palazzo Las Vegas on February 7, 2014 in Las Vegas, Nevada.
After leaving the Octagon on the wrong end of a TKO finish, UFC flyweight Joseph Benavidez reflects on his loss. He fought Deiveson Figueiredo at UFC Fight Night 169 on February 29 in a match that would have won him the vacant flyweight title. But for the third time in his UFC career, Benavidez fell short of capturing gold. He lost to Figueiredo in the second round by TKO.
Benavidez took to Instagram to post his thoughts on the loss.
His caption reads, “Now that the dust has settled… [I] Appreciate everyone’s love and support. I’m good (definitely been worse) and even though I set out to achieve greatness, good has to be ok for now. Sh*t hurts and probably will forever but I chose this and choose to take these risks. A lot of people have to face a lot worse issues with no choice to be had. It can’t always be attained but being able to chase greatness is a choice I’m lucky to have … at the end of the day I have what I need and will continue to work for what I want. Love you guys”
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The UFC Flyweight Belt Is Still Vacant
Even though Figueiredo defeated Benavidez, he did not win the vacant flyweight title. He failed to make the championship weight of 125 pounds, weighing in at 127.5 pounds, making him ineligible for the belt.
It’s unclear what the UFC will do next in respect to the belt. Figueiredo may fight for it against the winner of Jussier Formiga and Brandon Moreno; the two men are scheduled to fight on March 14 on UFC Fight Night 170. The promotion may also consider giving Benavidez a rematch since Figueiredo did miss weight.
And there is always the possibility of the former flyweight champ Henry Cejudo dropping back down to flyweight.
This Was Benavidez’s Third Attempt at Flyweight Gold
When the UFC absorbed the World Extreme Cagefighting promotion in 2010, Benavidez was one of the fighters who joined the UFC’s roster. He fought and won at bantamweight twice before the promotion added the flyweight division.
Benavidez dropped down to 125 and competed in a four-man tournament to crown the inaugural flyweight champion. Benavidez earned his way to the title shot by
defeating Yasuhiro Urushitani via second-round TKO.
He fought Demetrious “Mighty Mouse” Johnson for the belt, but he lost the fight by a razor-close split decision. After the loss, Benavidez rattled off three consecutive wins which led him to another title shot against Mighty Mouse. But the fight was much different than their first bout as Benavidez got knocked out by Johnson in the first round.
After an impressive 9-1 stretch that spanned over five years, Benavidez fought Figueiredo but fell to 0-3 in UFC title fights.
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