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Flyweight contender Joseph Benavidez is ready to show the world he is prepared to be the new champion at UFC Norfolk.
For flyweight contender Joseph Benavidez, it makes little difference whether or not his opponent shows up on weight for their title fight at UFC Norfolk.
After Deiveson Figueiredo botched his weight cut and showed up on weigh-in day 2.5 pounds over the flyweight limit, Benavidez became the only one out of the two eligible to become the new 125 champion at UFC Norfolk.
In an interview with Combate, Joseph explains the surprise mattered little to him, because it did not affect his preparation for the big night, it only showed that Figueiredo was not prepared as himself to win the belt.
“Honestly? I had the same reaction I would have had if he had made weight,” Benavidez said. “I thought: ‘the fight is still happening, he’s not going to the hospital and that’s it.’ Not accepting the fight never crossed my mind. Now I look at him even more convinced he was never ready for this moment and will never win this belt. It only makes me believe more I will win. Nothing changed for me.”
Currently on a three-fight winning streak, with victories over Alex Perez, Dustin Ortiz and Jussier Formiga, Joseph Benavidez (28-5) has not lost a fight since a split decision defeat to Sergio Pettis, back in June 2018.
Now, the 35-year-old is expected to take on Deiveson Figueiredo at UFC Fight Night 169’s main event, in Norfolk, Virginia, on February 29.