Joseph Benavidez isn’t the type of fighter who will straight up call out another fighter.
But after a tremendous performance against Jussier “Formiga” da Silva in a main-card bout at UFC Fight Night in Belo Horizonte, Brazil, the Team Alpha Male fighter looks ready for a rematch with UFC flyweight champion Demetrious Johnson.
“I’m not the type to bark for a title shot,” Benavidez (19-3) said. “I’m trying to get better every day, every fight. I think I’ve proven I can beat and finish the top guys in the division.”
Benavidez got the best of da Silva, who was at one time considered the world’s top flyweight, from the outset. A nice mix of strikes, a straight left followed by a right hook followed by a huge knee to the torso, dropped da Silva. A series of right hands from there put a stop to the fight at 3:07 of the first round.
“I landed a good shot,” Benavidez said. “I think I landed a good knee to the body that hurt him as well. I had to finish him off. It feels great.”
Since losing a split decision to Johnson at UFC 152 in the fight to crown the first flyweight champ, Benavidez has won three straight fights, the last two via finish. DaSilva (15-3).