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Flyweight title challenger Joseph Benavidez is eager to fight Deiveson Figueiredo for the vacant belt in February.
Flyweight title challenger Joseph Benavidez is looking forward to meet his next opponent in the Octagon. Paired up against heavy-handed Deiveson Figueiredo to fight for the vacant flyweight belt at UFC Norfolk, ‘Joe-B’ expects nothing short of an action-packed clash once the fight starts.
In an interview with Combate, Benavidez complimented Figueiredo’s skills and ability to put anyone away at any time. But, that doesn’t mean he doesn’t feel there are a few holes in the Brazilian’s game that could be exploited.
“It’s going to be a hard fight, against a hard opponent. At this point in my career, every second of the fight is that matter. I’m preparing. I see millions of ways in my head, but the only I have to make come true is the one where I win the belt.”
“When I first saw Figueiredo, I liked him. He represents flyweights well by being powerful, scary, intimidating and by putting on exciting fights. I’m always watching guys in my division and I thought to myself, ‘This guy is good for the division, he puts on great fights’. I like his style. He’s aggressive and fun to watch. As a competitor, I see some things in his game from which I can benefit.”
Currently on a three-fight winning streak, Benavidez (28-5) defeated Alex Perez, Dustin Ortiz and most recently, in June 2019, Jussier Formiga—with two of wins coming by way of TKO. The 35-year-old’s last loss came in June 2018, when dropped a split decision to Sergio Pettis.
Benavidez and Figueiredo are scheduled to meet in the main event of UFC on ESPN+ 27, where they will fight for the recently vacated flyweight title. A women’s featherweight bout between Felicia Spencer and Zarah Fairn dos Santos is currently set for the co-main event.