Two bantamweights that are always in title contention crossed paths as former WEC champ Eddie Wineland met Team Alpha Male trained Joseph Benavidez. Wineland and Benavidez were both in action at UFC 128 in March, when Benavidez’s teammate Urijah Faber defeated Wineland.
Benavidez attacked first, scoring with a combination and a number of kicks. A jab from Wineland opened a small cut under Benavidez’s left eye. Two consecutive right hands from Benavidez rocked Wineland. Wineland’s nose showed the damage, as blood poured from both nostrils. Wineland was clearly bothered by the nose, but Benavidez remained patient as the round concluded.
A left hand from Benavidez targeted the damaged nose at the start of the second frame. Wineland connected with an uppercut to back up Benavidez. Benavidez believed he was poked in the eye, but Josh Rosenthal ruled it a punch and Wineland pounced and delivered shots. Benavidez looked for the first takedown of the fight with two minutes left in the round, but Wineland kept the fight on the feet. A second shot from Benavidez was also stuffed and the pair traded knees before crashing to the mat and scrambling back to the feet. A deep single leg takedown scored from Benavidez as the second round closed.
Another right hook from Benvidez connected as the third stanza began. A big shot clipped Wineland and Benavidez charged in with a flying knee. Opening up his arsenal, Benavidez attempted a spinning back fist, but failed to connect. Wineland caught a kick and delivered a stiff right hand to back up Benavidez. With a minute left in the fight, Benavidez sought a takedown, but Wineland defended well with a guillotine attempt. A big knee from Wineland was thrown as the horn sounded, but he could not find a finish.
All three judges gave Benavidez all three rounds. Benavidez is now 15-2, with his only two losses to divisional kingpin Dominick Cruz. Wineland has now dropped two straight bouts, both against Team Alpha Male fighters.
Official result: Joseph Benavidez def. Eddie Wineland via unanimous decision (30-27, 30-27, 30-27).