Joseph Benavidez

Deiveson Figueiredo vs. Joseph Benavidez

Round 1
Headlining the evening is a flyweight championship rematch pitting Figueiredo (18-1, 7-1 UFC) against Benavidez (28-6, 15-4 UFC) once more. The two met in February, where seconds after a clash of heads, Figueiredo recorded a devastating knockout but was unable to win the title after missing weight. The belt is on the line for both men this time, and there is no love lost between the two. Referee Marc Goddard will need to keep these 125-ers in check, and they decide to touch gloves before swinging for the bleachers. Figueiredo cocks back his right hand immediately, but he comes forward tentatively. The Brazilian fires out a front kick, and Benavidez responds with a leg kick. Benavidez throws another hard leg kick that nearly sweeps out the lead leg. Figueiredo blasts him with a right hook on the temple that sets Benavidez down on the canvas gingerly, and “Deus da Guerra” starts slamming down punches and elbows. Figueiredo takes his back as Benavidez scrambles, and gets his hooks in as he hunts for a rear-naked choke. It is tight as can be, and Benavidez manages to get his throat cleared in time. Figueiredo repositions the choke, and he still cannot get it. They roll around, and Figueiredo locks up the choke and it is over…until miraculously, Benavidez breaks the grip and pulls the arm free. It was deep under the neck, palms clasped, and he still pulled out. Benavidez walks up the cage and emerges from the danger zone with a little blood under the nose but he is OK. Figueiredo comes at him with a few big punches, and Benavidez responds in kind with powerful strikes that get his opponent’s attention. Figueiredo stalks him down and clips Benavidez with a right hand, setting Benavidez down again. The Xtreme Couture fighter springs back to his feet and shakes out the cobwebs to start his attack again. He leaps forward and lands to the body with a powerful shot. Figueiredo winds up with a monster right hand and clocks Benavidez on the jaw. Benavidez goes flying to the canvas for the third time. Figueiredo pounces on him like man on a mission and clubs him a few more times with punches and hacking elbows. Benavidez rolls over and surrenders his back, and Figueiredo snatches up the back in an instant.
“Deus da Guerra” cinches up a rear-naked choke, and this time, there is nothing Benavidez can do. Benavidez flails, but his body is arched back from the torque, extended in a fashion where there is no way out. As Benavidez tries to escape, he loses consciousness with his eyes still open, staring lifelessly at the camera.
Goddard recognizes that Benavidez is asleep, and is forced to intervene. Unbelievable! Benavidez had never before been submitted, and he refused to tap out and surrender in what could be his final title fight. Figueiredo is now the new flyweight champion, and best of luck to the next challenger. You’re gonna need it. See you next week!

The Official Result
Deiveson Figueiredo def. Joseph Benavidez R1 4:48 via Technical Submission (Rear-Naked Choke)

Joseph Benavidez vs. Alex Perez

Round 1
Yves Lavigne presides over the clash between rising contender Perez and perennial contender Benavidez. Benavidez is feinting and bobbing, looking to get the much longer Perez to bite on something. A minute in, it’s Perez who closes the distance, rushing Benavidez to the fence and appearing to line up a standing arm-triangle, but nothing comes of it and they disengage. Benavidez is suddenly more aggressive, darting inside and landing hard punches. A right hook stumbles Perez and Benavidez tries to swarm against the fence, but Perez ties him up and recovers. Halfway through the round, Benavidez is closing at will, rushing in with a one-two punctuated by a low kick. With two minutes left, Benavidez topples over an off-balance Perez with a punch. He flattens him and blasts him with punches and hammerfists. Referee Lavigne steps in and puts his hands on the fighters, stopping the action, then retreats and has the fighters fight on. Perez takes the momentary relaxation on the part of his opponent to recover and attempt to escape. Abysmal refereeing.
Benavidez corrals Perez back to the ground and pounds him with more punches until Lavigne stops the fight once again
, apparently for real this time. Horrible gaffe by Yves Lavigne that fortunately did not affect the outcome of the fight.

The Official Result
Joseph Benavidez def. Alex Perez R1 4:19 via TKO (Strikes)

Joseph Benavidez vs. Tim Elliott

Round 1
Elliott comes out bombing with left hands and rushes Benavidez to the ground. Benavidez powers back to his feet, taking a knee to the gut along the way. Elliott trips Benavidez to the ground and tries to hop on his back. Elliott winds up with a crucifix, trapping Benavidez’s left arm between his legs and pulling the Team Alpha Male fighter across the cage. Benavidez frees the arm and Elliott sets up on top, dropping a couple short punches before being kicked away. Benavidez escapes to his feet and has to cover up immediately as Elliott sticks a pair of punches in his face. Elliott double-legs Benavidez back to the ground midway through the frame and looks for the crucifix again. Benavidez rolls over and catches the kneeling Elliott in north-south position, threatening with a guillotine. Elliott puts his back on the mat and Benavidez goes to side control on the left side, still working for the guillotine. Benavidez passes to full mount with the guillotine locked in. Both of Elliott’s arms are trapped, so he kicks his legs wildly to signal submission to referee Mario Yamasaki.

The Official Result
Joseph Benavidez def. Tim Elliott via Submission (Guillotine Choke) R1 4:08