(ALSO SEE: Sean Shelby’s Shoes: What’s next for Deiveson Figueiredo after UFC on ESPN+ 30 win?)
Joseph Benavidez suffered the worst kind of heartbreak on Saturday when his UFC title hopes were seemingly dashed for good in the UFC on ESPN+ 30 main event.
In what was his fourth chance at a UFC belt, Benavidez (28-7 MMA, 15-5 UFC) suffered a first-round submission loss to new flyweight champion Deiveson Figueiredo (18-1 MMA, 8-1 UFC) in their main event bout, which took place at Flash Forum at Yas Island in Abu Dhabi and streamed on ESPN+.
A devastated Benavidez pulled back the curtain on his emotions post-fight. He did his best to hold back tears as he admitted he’s going to accept that being UFC champ is not part of his story, but he did make it clear this is not the end for him.
Benavidez said he wants at least one more fight so he has the chance to go on top, but is that a wise plan for the 35-year-old?
Watch the video above for thoughts and analysis on Benavidez’s future following his loss to Figueiredo at UFC on ESPN+ 30.
