The UFC flyweight division has a new number one contender.
Saturday night, Joseph Benavidez (28-5 MMA, 15-3 UFC) took out surging Brazilian Jussier Formiga (23-5 MMA, 9-4 UFC) in the second round at UFC on ESPN 3. Their co-main event clash was a rematch of their 2013 bout at UFC Fight Night 28.
With the win, Benavidez likely solidified his place as the frontrunner for Henry Cejudo’s 125-pound belt.
The flyweight bout was the co-main event of Saturday’s UFC on ESPN 3 show at Target Center in Minneapolis. It aired on ESPN.
From the opening bell, both men put their speed and technique on display – a vintage characteristic of the flyweight division.
While the first round saw both men get in their fair share of shots, Benavidez flipped the switch in the second. As the round progressed, Benavidez landed more frequently and Formiga began to tire.
A whipping Benavidez head kick drilled Formiga in the final minute of the frame. Smelling blood, Benavidez wasn’t willing to let the Brazilian off the hook. The former UFC title challenger landed a barrage of punches on Formiga, who crumpled to the canvas before referee Jason Herzog waved off the fight.
Benavidez has now won six out of his last seven bouts and three straight. He also holds a split decision victory over current champion Henry Cejudo.
On the microphone following the bout, Benavidez called his shot, nicknaming himself “Joey Two-Times.”
“I beat (Dustin) Ortiz two times. I beat (Jussier) Formiga two times. Next, I’m beating (Henry) Cejudo two times,” Benavidez said. “Tons of respect for that guy. He’s calling out a lot of fights that don’t make sense. He knows I’m the hardest one out there. He knows that I’m going to come after him every second. That’s the fight to make. I’ll be waiting.”
Up-to-the-minute UFC on ESPN 3 results include:
- Joseph Benavidez def. Jussier Formiga via TKO (punches) – Round 2, 4:47
- Demian Maia def. Anthony Rocco Martin by split decision (29-28, 29-28, 28-28)
- Vinc Pichel def. Roosevelt Roberts by unanimous decision (29-28, 29-28, 29-28)
- Drew Dober def. Marco Polo Reyes via TKO (punches) – Round 1, 1:07
- Alonzo Menifield def. Paul Craig via knockout (punches) – Round 1, 3:19
- Ricardo Ramos def. Journey Newson via unanimous decision (30-27, 30-27, 30-27)
- Eryk Anders def. Vinicius Moreira via knockout (punches) – Round 1, 1:18
- Jared Gordon def. Dan Moret via unanimous decision (30-27, 30-27, 29-28)
- Dalcha Lungiambula def. Dequan Townsend via TKO (punches) – Round 3, 0:42
- Amanda Ribas def. Emily Whitmire via submission (rear-naked choke) – Round 2, 2:10
- Maurice Greene def. Junior Albini via TKO (punches), Round 1 3:38
For complete coverage of UFC on ESPN 3, check out the UFC Events section of the site.
