Joseph Benavidez has fought for a title on four separate occasions throughout his 14-year mixed martial arts career, falling short each time.
We’ll find out Saturday if the fifth time is the charm when he faces Deiveson Figueiredo for the vacant UFC flyweight championship in the main event of the third Fight Island card in a span of seven days.
Benavidez fought Dominick Cruz for the WEC bantamweight championship in 2010, but lost a split decision. He fought Demetrious Johnson for the inaugural UFC flyweight title in 2012, but lost another split decision. He was then knocked out by Johnson in their rematch 14 months later, which left him stuck in no man’s land for years while “Mighty Mouse” ruled the division. However, a lengthy winning streak that included a victory over Henry Cejudo eventually led him back to another title fight.
Benavidez and Figueiredo fought for the vacant flyweight title on Leap Day earlier this year with Figueiredo winning by second-round TKO. Despite becoming just the second fighter to put Benavidez away, Figueiredo didn’t walk away with the belt.
The only reason he doesn’t officially wear the flyweight crown is because he missed weight by 2.5 pounds prior to their February fight. Benavidez did make weight, though, so he would’ve been awarded the vacant title had he won.
Benavidez had his moments in that initial meeting, winning the first round on all three judges’ scorecards, but it was Figueiredo’s size, durability and power that proved to be the difference. Seconds after an unintentional headbutt split Benavidez’s head open, the Brazilian landed a perfect right hand that put his opponent away.
You can watch the first fight in its entirety below.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=b2p6gzMyhLE
Between the headbutt and Figueiredo missing weight, plus the fact these are the two best fighters in the division by a wide margin, there was enough reason to warrant an immediate rematch.
Both fighters made weight Friday, so this time around it’s a true title fight. Barring a no-contest or draw, someone is walking out of the Octagon a champion.
Figueiredo’s lone loss in MMA was a unanimous decision to Jussier Formiga, a fighter over whom Benavidez holds two stoppage wins.
Benavidez is widely regarded as one of the best fighters in UFC history to never win a title. He turns 36 later this month so this is in all likelihood his final chance.
The night’s co-main event features Jack Hermansson vs. Kelvin Gastelum as both middleweights look to get back on the winning track. Hermansson (20-5) is ranked sixth in the division coming off a TKO loss to knockout artist Jared Cannonier in September. Gastelum (15-5, one no-contest) is ranked seventh and has lost two in a row — the 2019 Fight of the Year against Israel Adesanya and a split decision to Darren Till in November. The winner of this bout will remain in the title hunt.
A flyweight contest between No. 4 contender Alexandre Pantoja and No. 7 contender Askar Askarov will also be featured on the main card. Whoever emerges victorious could very well end up facing the winner of the main event later this year.
Here’s a look at the full fight card.
MAIN CARD
— Deiveson Figueiredo vs. Joseph Benavidez (for vacant flyweight title)
— Jack Hermansson vs. Kelvin Gastelum
— Marc Diakiese vs. Rafael Fiziev
— Ariane Lipski vs. Luana Carolina
— Alexandre Pantoja vs. Askar Askarov
PRELIMINARY CARD
— Roman Dolidze vs. Khadis Ibragimov
— Grant Dawson vs. Nad Narimani
— Joe Duffy vs. Joel Alvarez
— Brett Johns vs. Montel Jackson
— Malcolm Gordon vs. Amir Albazi
— Davi Ramos vs. Arman Tsarukyan
— Carlos Felipe vs. Serghei Spivac
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