Tag: Joseph Benavidez

Joseph Benavidez Will Be the First-Ever UFC Flyweight Champion

Joseph Benavidez has found a way to avoid his kryptonite. The Team Alpha Male fighter has been one of the best 135-pound fighters in the world for a few years now, but he was unable to defeat current bantamweight champion Dominick Cruz on two separate …

Joseph Benavidez has found a way to avoid his kryptonite.

The Team Alpha Male fighter has been one of the best 135-pound fighters in the world for a few years now, but he was unable to defeat current bantamweight champion Dominick Cruz on two separate occasions.

It seemed like Benavidez would have to win an unprecedented amount of fights in order to get another shot at Cruz and the 135-pound title, but this weekend UFC president Dana White made the blockbuster announcement that the UFC is adding a flyweight division in the early part of 2012.

The UFC has already added top flyweights Ian McCall and Yasuhiro Urushitani to the roster in order to add some credibility to the new weight class, and former bantamweight title contender Demetrious Johnson will be joining Benavidez as the other former 135-pound fighter to drop down in weight.

The four men are now officially set to compete in a mini-tournament of sorts, with Johnson fighting McCall and Benavidez set to take on Urushitani on March 3’s UFC on FX 2 event.

Benavidez seems to have drawn the easiest first-round matchup and should make his way into the title bout with relative ease, but the real intrigue lies in the possible bouts against either Johnson or McCall.

McCall has been a wrecking machine ever since he dropped to flyweight after an unsuccessful stint in the WEC, winning three fights in the Tachi Palace Fights organization in 2011, including a title-winning performance against Darrell Montague back in August.

Johnson has also had a very successful year, earning wins over Kid Yamamoto and Miguel Torres before his loss to Cruz in October, and his speed has created problems for every opponent he has fought in the UFC.

While both of these fighters are outstanding in their own right, there is no chance they can beat Benavidez.

An underrated striker with legitimate submission skills and a solid wrestling game, Benavidez is one of the most complete fighters in all of MMA, and his association with Urijah Faber and Team Alpha Male has made him one of the most dangerous fighters in the UFC.

As long as fans have declared Benavidez the uncrowned flyweight champion, it is finally time for him to step up and verify the claims of his supporters and finally put UFC gold around his waist.

Read more MMA news on BleacherReport.com

UFC Flyweights: Benavidez, McCall, Johnson, and Urushitani Will Bring the Heat

UFC President Dana White last night announced the arrival of the flyweight division.A four-man tournament kicks off the division at UFC on FX 2 on March 3 of next year.Two of the sport’s top ranked bantamweights will make the drop in the weight in hope…

UFC President Dana White last night announced the arrival of the flyweight division.

A four-man tournament kicks off the division at UFC on FX 2 on March 3 of next year.

Two of the sport’s top ranked bantamweights will make the drop in the weight in hopes of claiming the inaugural 125-pound championship.

Joseph Benavidez (15-2 MMA, 2-0 UFC) meets organizational newcomer Yasuhiro Urushitani (19-4-6 MMA, 0-0 UFC) and Demetrious Johnson (9-2 MMA, 2-1 UFC) faces Ian McCall (11-2 MMA, 0-0 UFC).

UFC on FX 2 is expected to place on Sunday, March 4, which allows it to air in the United States on Saturday, March 3 due to time differences.

While it remains to be seen who joins the aforementioned fighters in the UFC’s newest division, one thing is certain and it’s the fact that they won’t lack talent or excitement.

Begin Slideshow

UFC Officially Adding Flyweight Class With Four-Man Tournament to Crown Champ

Before the weekend, UFC president Dana White said he expected to officially announce the addition of a flyweight division within days. It was a promise he kept.

During the UFC 140 post-fight press conference, White announced a four-man tournament that…

Demetrious JohnsonBefore the weekend, UFC president Dana White said he expected to officially announce the addition of a flyweight division within days. It was a promise he kept.

During the UFC 140 post-fight press conference, White announced a four-man tournament that would involve current bantamweights Demetrious Johnson and Joseph Benavidez, who will shed 10 pounds to fight in their more natural class.

The tournament will eventually crown the division’s first champion.

White announced a March 3 start date for the tournament. Right now, the promotion has yet to officially announce the date and location of that event, but speculation has placed it in Australia, which would actually make it a March 4 event given its location to the west of the international date line.

Regardless, the fights are set.

Johnson will take on Ian McCall (11-2), who was the 125-pound division champ in Tachi Fighting Championship, and Benavidez will face Yasuhiro Urushitani (19-4-6), the Shooto 123-pound champ.

Johnson was last seen losing a decision to Dominick Cruz during an Oct. 1 UFC on Versus event. He’s 9-2 overall. Meanwhile, Benavidez is 15-2, riding a three-fight win streak with victories over Eddie Wineland, Ian Loveland and Wagnney Fabiano.

An addition of a flyweight division had been a longtime goal for the UFC. White first brought up the plan over a year ago, but various other projects and initiatives sidetracked it until now. The addition gives the UFC championships in eight weight classes, including bantamweight (135), featherweight (145), lightweight (155), welterweight (170), middleweight (185), light-heavyweight (205) and heavyweight (265).

 

Permalink | Email this | Linking Blogs | Comments

UFC Plans to Announce Flyweight Class This Weekend

Filed under: UFC, NewsCHICAGO — The wait is almost over for the arrival of a 125-pound weight class in the UFC.

UFC President Dana White said Wednesday that he expects to make a formal announcement about a flyweight class within a matter of days, l…

Filed under: ,

Dana WhiteCHICAGO — The wait is almost over for the arrival of a 125-pound weight class in the UFC.

UFC President Dana White said Wednesday that he expects to make a formal announcement about a flyweight class within a matter of days, likely when he’s in Toronto for UFC 140.

“This weekend. We should have something by this weekend. But it’s happening,” White said.

Several current UFC bantamweights, including Joseph Benavidez, Demetrious Johnson, Charlie Valencia and recent Ultimate Fighter winner John Dodson, would appear likely to move down to 125 pounds. But that will be their decision alone. For his part, White said he won’t tell any bantamweights to move down.

“I’m not moving anybody. Those guys can make that decision themselves,” White said.

At the moment, the flyweight class is known only to the hardest of hard-core MMA fans, but White said he sees that changing in a hurry, and he thinks adding flyweights will help the UFC attract more fans in Asia and Latin America.

“I have a feeling that 125-pound division is going to be as talented as 155 and 170,” White said. “I’ve been working on it for months. At 125 pounds you’re going to see a lot of Hispanic, a lot of Asian fighters now coming to compete at that weight. Traditionally when you look at boxing, Asians or Hispanics have dominated those weights.”

The most recent season of The Ultimate Fighter, which featured featherweights and bantamweights, is part of what has White bullish about smaller fighters — especially Dodson.

“If anything proved how awesome the small guys are it was this season of The Ultimate Fighter,” White said. “How about that Finale? The Finale was incredible The Diego [Brandao] fight was probably the best one round I’ve ever seen. And John Dodson is just phenomenal. The guy is an amazing, explosive athlete.”

And he could be a future flyweight champion.

 

Permalink | Email this | Linking Blogs | Comments

UFC Plans to Announce Flyweight Class This Weekend

Filed under: UFC, NewsCHICAGO — The wait is almost over for the arrival of a 125-pound weight class in the UFC.

UFC President Dana White said Wednesday that he expects to make a formal announcement about a flyweight class within a matter of days, l…

Filed under: ,

Dana WhiteCHICAGO — The wait is almost over for the arrival of a 125-pound weight class in the UFC.

UFC President Dana White said Wednesday that he expects to make a formal announcement about a flyweight class within a matter of days, likely when he’s in Toronto for UFC 140.

“This weekend. We should have something by this weekend. But it’s happening,” White said.

Several current UFC bantamweights, including Joseph Benavidez, Demetrious Johnson, Charlie Valencia and recent Ultimate Fighter winner John Dodson, would appear likely to move down to 125 pounds. But that will be their decision alone. For his part, White said he won’t tell any bantamweights to move down.

“I’m not moving anybody. Those guys can make that decision themselves,” White said.

At the moment, the flyweight class is known only to the hardest of hard-core MMA fans, but White said he sees that changing in a hurry, and he thinks adding flyweights will help the UFC attract more fans in Asia and Latin America.

“I have a feeling that 125-pound division is going to be as talented as 155 and 170,” White said. “I’ve been working on it for months. At 125 pounds you’re going to see a lot of Hispanic, a lot of Asian fighters now coming to compete at that weight. Traditionally when you look at boxing, Asians or Hispanics have dominated those weights.”

The most recent season of The Ultimate Fighter, which featured featherweights and bantamweights, is part of what has White bullish about smaller fighters — especially Dodson.

“If anything proved how awesome the small guys are it was this season of The Ultimate Fighter,” White said. “How about that Finale? The Finale was incredible The Diego [Brandao] fight was probably the best one round I’ve ever seen. And John Dodson is just phenomenal. The guy is an amazing, explosive athlete.”

And he could be a future flyweight champion.

 

Permalink | Email this | Linking Blogs | Comments

The MMA Hour With Jon Jones in Studio, Dan Henderson, Arianny, Miller, Benavidez

Filed under: MMA Videos, UFC, VideosIn honor of The MMA Hour’s brand spankin’ new studio, we’ve booked an all-star lineup for Monday’s episode. Here’s who will be stopping by:

* UFC light heavyweight champion Jon Jones will be in studio to discuss his…

Filed under: , ,

In honor of The MMA Hour‘s brand spankin’ new studio, we’ve booked an all-star lineup for Monday’s episode. Here’s who will be stopping by:

* UFC light heavyweight champion Jon Jones will be in studio to discuss his UFC 140 title fight against Lyoto Machida.

* Dan Henderson will look back at his epic UFC 139 win over Shogun Rua and ahead to what’s next for him.

* UFC Octagon Girl Arianny Celeste will talk about her ongoing feud with Chael Sonnen.

* Middleweight Dan Miller will discuss his son’s recent health issues and how the MMA community has rallied around his family.

* Bantamweight Joseph Benavidez will look back the widely popular “JoBe Awards” and what’s next for him.

Plus, we’ll get a live look-in at the TUF 15 tryouts in Las Vegas, look back at the TUF 14 Finale and ahead to Saturday night’s UFC 140 pay-per-view event, so give us a call at: 212-582-2027, 212-582-2028, 212-582-2036, 212-582-2037.

Watch the show live below beginning at 1 p.m. ET / 10 a.m. PT. Subscribe to The MMA Hour on iTunes: audio feed here; video feed here. Download previous episodes here. Listen to the show via Stitcher here.

(Editor’s note: The video should be Tuesday or Wednesday.)

 

Permalink | Email this | Linking Blogs | Comments