UFC Fight Night 28 Results: Joseph Benavidez Crushes Jussier Formiga, Back in Title Contention
Joseph Benavidez (19-3) proved why he deserves another crack at the UFC flyweight title with a dominant first-round TKO victory over Brazilian Jussier Formiga (15-3) on the main card at UFC Fight Night 28 in Belo Horizonte, Brazil on Wednesday.
Benavidez opened the fight pushing the pace, slipping in to land his shots, before backing out. Formiga had success at times on the counter.
With two minutes left in the round, Benavidez caught Formiga with a left hand coming in and then wobbled him with a right hand. Sensing a finish, Benavidez dropped the Brazilian with a knee to the body before finishing over the top with a right hand and after a flurry of ground and pound that left the referee with no choice but to stop the fight.
“I was excited to fight here in Brazil. It was another day in the office and I had fun doing it,” Benavidez said. “The fight went how it went and I feel great about it.
“I felt great,” he continued. “I wanted to show you Brazilian fans some Joe Jitsu, but I landed a great shot and a good knee to the body to hurt him and I had to finish him off. I'm not the kind of type to bark for a title shot, but I think I proved I can beat and finish the top guys in the division, so whatever the UFC wants to do I'll be ready.”
The victory was Benavidez's third of the year since his title loss to current flyweight champion Demetrious Johnson late last year, which is his only loss to date in the UFC.
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