Joseph Benavidez

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Joseph Benavidez
Born Joseph Rolando Benavidez
(1984-07-31) July 31, 1984
San Antonio, Texas, United States[1]
Other names Joe B-Wan Kenobi,[2] The Beefcake, The Joe Jitsu Practitioner
Nationality Mexican American[3]
Height 5 ft 4 in (1.63 m)[1]
Weight 125 lb (57 kg; 8.9 st)[3]
Division Flyweight
Bantamweight
Featherweight
Reach 65.0 in (165 cm)[4]
Fighting out of Sacramento, California, U.S.[3]
Team Team Alpha Male[5]
Years active 2006-Present
Mixed martial arts record
Total 23
Wins 19
By knockout 6
By submission 8
By decision 5
Losses 4
By knockout 1
By decision 3
Mixed martial arts record from Sherdog
last updated on: November 23, 2011

Joseph Rolando Benavidez (born July 31, 1984) is an American mixed martial artist. After fighting in smaller shows while working as a screen printer in Las Cruces, New Mexico, he joined up with Urijah Faber's Team Alpha Male in 2007. He has since fought in Dream and more recently the World Extreme Cagefighting promotion. He currently fights as a flyweight in the Ultimate Fighting Championship. His fighting style has drawn comparisons to training partner and former WEC Featherweight Champion Urijah Faber. As of January 17, 2014, he is #2 in official UFC flyweight rankings[6] and ranked the #2 flyweight in the world by Sherdog.[7] On April 27, 2010, the Mayor and City Council of the City of Las Cruces proclaimed April 27 as Joseph Benavidez Day in Las Cruces.[8]

Early life

Benavidez attended Las Cruces High School where he played varsity football, winning two State Championships,[9] and wrestled varsity for 4 years.[10] In 2000 Benavidez became the State Wrestling Champion of New Mexico at 103 lbs during his sophomore year.[1][11] Benavidez also wrestled one year at William Penn University in Iowa before moving back to Las Cruces, New Mexico.[12][13]

Mixed martial arts career

Team Alpha Male

Before joining up with Urijah Faber, Benavidez fought in smaller shows and trained while working as a screen printer in New Mexico. Hoping to eventually make a living fighting MMA, he sought out Faber on a trip to California in January 2007. Unable to find Faber's gym, he visited one in Roseville hoping to locate him. There his fighting ability impressed the members and instructors enough (or, in Faber's words: "[he] basically beat the crap out of everyone")[5] to refer him to Faber. This was only hours before Benavidez' flight home was due and he had to leave for the airport, unable to meet up with him.[5]

“ "I had finally found him, and it was at the end of my vacation. I went to airport and my friends dropped me off; [I] was ready to go back to New Mexico and my regular life."[5] ”

His flight was then canceled, giving him the chance to meet up with Faber as he had hoped. Benavidez impressed Faber enough to offer him a job at the front desk of his gym, enabling him to leave New Mexico to come train with him and his team. Benavidez then went back to New Mexico, "jammed everything into his car" and moved to California.[5] After fighting with smaller US-based promotions, Benavidez was offered a fight with Norifumi Yamamoto by Japanese MMA-promoter Dream in July 2008 at Dream 5.[5] The bout was canceled only days before the fight,[5] and Benavidez was instead matched against Junya Kodo whom he defeated by guillotine choke submission.

World Extreme Cagefighting

Benavidez was then signed by US-based World Extreme Cagefighting. On December 3, 2008, he fought Danny Martinez at WEC 37 and won by unanimous decision. He defeated Jeff Curran by unanimous decision at WEC 40 on April 5, 2009.[5] Benavidez dominated Curran from the opening bell with superior grappling and striking, knocking the opponent down in the first round. Curran unsuccessfully attempted an armbar in the second round and a triangle choke in the third round. Joseph fought Dominick Cruz at WEC 42 and lost by unanimous decision.

Benavidez fought Brazilian jiu-jitsu ace Rani Yahya on December 19, 2009 at WEC 45.[14] Benavidez won via first round TKO.[15]

Benavidez defeated former WEC Bantaweight Champion Miguel Torres on March 6, 2010 at WEC 47. He dominated the former Bantamweight Champion before opening a huge cut on Torres' forehead and submitting the bloodied Torres via guillotine choke.[16]

Bantamweight title shot and beyond

Benavidez fought Dominick Cruz in a rematch for the WEC Bantamweight Championship on August 18, 2010 at WEC 50.[17] Benavidez lost to Cruz for a second time via split decision.

Benavidez faced Wagnney Fabiano on November 11, 2010, replacing an injured Brian Bowles.[18] Benavidez defeated Fabiano via second round submission. After an uneventful first round of striking between the two, Benavidez stung Fabiano with a left and pounced, submitting the 3rd degree black belt with a guillotine choke at 2:45 of the second round.

Ultimate Fighting Championship

On October 28, 2010, World Extreme Cagefighting merged with the Ultimate Fighting Championship. As part of the merger, all WEC fighters were transferred to the UFC.[19]

In his UFC debut, Benavidez faced Ian Loveland on March 19, 2011 at UFC 128.[20] He won the fight via unanimous decision.

Benavidez next fought Eddie Wineland on August 14, 2011 at UFC on Versus 5.[21] Benavidez defeated Wineland by unanimous decision (30-27, 30-27, 30-27).[22]

At the UFC 140 post-fight press conference, Dana White announced that Benavidez would be a participant in a four man tournament to crown the new newly created UFC Flyweight (MMA) Championship. Benavidez faced Yasuhiro Urushitani on March 3, 2012 at UFC on FX 2[23] and won via TKO in the second round, earning Knockout of the Night honors for his performance.

Benavidez faced Demetrious Johnson on September 22, 2012 at UFC 152 for the inaugural UFC Flyweight Championship. In an incredibly closely contested fight that contained nonstop action at a frenetic pace, he lost the fight in via split decision (48-47, 47-48, 49-46).

Benavidez faced Ian McCall on February 2, 2013 at UFC 156.[24] He won the fight via unanimous decision.

Benavidez then faced Darren Uyenoyama on April 20, 2013 at UFC on Fox 7.[25] He won the fight via TKO in the second round.

Benavidez faced Jussier Formiga on September 4, 2013 at UFC Fight Night 28.[26] He won the fight by TKO in round 1 after rocking Formiga with two punches and a knee.

A rematch with Demetrious Johnson was expected for November 30, 2013 at The Ultimate Fighter 18 Finale.[27] However the bout was shifted to December 14, 2013 at UFC on Fox 9 after that event's headliner was postponed due to injury.[28] Benavidez lost via knockout in the first round, the first time he has been stopped in his MMA career.

Benavidez is expected to face Tim Elliott at UFC 172.[29]

Championships & accomplishments

Mixed martial arts

Mixed martial arts record

Res. Record Opponent Method Event Date Round Time Location Notes
style="background: #ffdddd; color: black; vertical-align: middle; text-align: center; " class="table-no2" |Loss 19–4 Demetrious Johnson KO (punch) UFC on Fox: Johnson vs. Benavidez 2 December 14, 2013 1 2:08 Sacramento, California, United States For UFC Flyweight Championship
style="background:#bfd; color:black; vertical-align:middle; text-align:center; " class="table-yes2" |Win 19–3 Jussier Formiga TKO (knee to the body and punches) UFC Fight Night: Teixeira vs. Bader September 4, 2013 1 3:07 Belo Horizonte, Brazil
style="background:#bfd; color:black; vertical-align:middle; text-align:center; " class="table-yes2" |Win 18–3 Darren Uyenoyama TKO (body kick and punches) UFC on Fox: Henderson vs. Melendez April 20, 2013 2 4:50 San Jose, California, United States
style="background:#bfd; color:black; vertical-align:middle; text-align:center; " class="table-yes2" |Win 17–3 Ian McCall Decision (unanimous) UFC 156 February 2, 2013 3 5:00 Las Vegas, Nevada, United States
style="background: #ffdddd; color: black; vertical-align: middle; text-align: center; " class="table-no2" |Loss 16–3 Demetrious Johnson Decision (split) UFC 152 September 22, 2012 5 5:00 Toronto, Ontario, Canada For UFC Flyweight Championship; UFC Flyweight Tournament Final
style="background:#bfd; color:black; vertical-align:middle; text-align:center; " class="table-yes2" |Win 16–2 Yasuhiro Urushitani TKO (punches) UFC on FX: Alves vs. Kampmann March 3, 2012 2 0:11 Sydney, Australia Flyweight debut; UFC Flyweight tournament semifinal; Knockout of the Night
style="background:#bfd; color:black; vertical-align:middle; text-align:center; " class="table-yes2" |Win 15–2 Eddie Wineland Decision (unanimous) UFC Live: Hardy vs. Lytle August 14, 2011 3 5:00 Milwaukee, Wisconsin, United States
style="background:#bfd; color:black; vertical-align:middle; text-align:center; " class="table-yes2" |Win 14–2 Ian Loveland Decision (unanimous) UFC 128 March 19, 2011 3 5:00 Newark, New Jersey, United States
style="background:#bfd; color:black; vertical-align:middle; text-align:center; " class="table-yes2" |Win 13–2 Wagnney Fabiano Submission (guillotine choke) WEC 52 November 11, 2010 2 2:45 Las Vegas, Nevada, United States
style="background: #ffdddd; color: black; vertical-align: middle; text-align: center; " class="table-no2" |Loss 12–2 Dominick Cruz Decision (split) WEC 50 August 18, 2010 5 5:00 Las Vegas, Nevada, United States For WEC Bantamweight Championship
style="background:#bfd; color:black; vertical-align:middle; text-align:center; " class="table-yes2" |Win 12–1 Miguel Torres Submission (guillotine choke) WEC 47 March 6, 2010 2 2:57 Columbus, Ohio, United States Submission of the Night
style="background:#bfd; color:black; vertical-align:middle; text-align:center; " class="table-yes2" |Win 11–1 Rani Yahya TKO (punches) WEC 45 December 19, 2009 1 1:35 Las Vegas, Nevada, United States
style="background: #ffdddd; color: black; vertical-align: middle; text-align: center; " class="table-no2" |Loss 10–1 Dominick Cruz Decision (unanimous) WEC 42 August 9, 2009 3 5:00 Las Vegas, Nevada, United States Fight of the Night
style="background:#bfd; color:black; vertical-align:middle; text-align:center; " class="table-yes2" |Win 10–0 Jeff Curran Decision (unanimous) WEC 40 April 5, 2009 3 5:00 Chicago, Illinois, United States
style="background:#bfd; color:black; vertical-align:middle; text-align:center; " class="table-yes2" |Win 9–0 Danny Martinez Decision (unanimous) WEC 37 December 3, 2008 3 5:00 Las Vegas, Nevada, United States
style="background:#bfd; color:black; vertical-align:middle; text-align:center; " class="table-yes2" |Win 8–0 Junya Kodo Submission (guillotine choke) Dream 5 July 21, 2008 1 2:42 Osaka, Japan Fought at Featherweight (139 Ibs)
style="background:#bfd; color:black; vertical-align:middle; text-align:center; " class="table-yes2" |Win 7–0 Maurice Eazel Submission (rear-naked choke) Palace Fighting Championship 8: A Night of Champions May 8, 2008 1 1:02 Lemoore, California, United States
style="background:#bfd; color:black; vertical-align:middle; text-align:center; " class="table-yes2" |Win 6–0 Jason Georgianna Submission (guillotine choke) Palace Fighting Championship 6: No Retreat, No Surrender January 17, 2008 2 0:38 Lemoore, California, United States
style="background:#bfd; color:black; vertical-align:middle; text-align:center; " class="table-yes2" |Win 5–0 Rocky Del Monte Submission (triangle choke) Independent Event June 1, 2007 2 N/A Lakeport, California, United States
style="background:#bfd; color:black; vertical-align:middle; text-align:center; " class="table-yes2" |Win 4–0 Carlos Lovio TKO (punches) Bring it On: Under Destruction April 28, 2007 1 N/A Oxnard, California, United States
style="background:#bfd; color:black; vertical-align:middle; text-align:center; " class="table-yes2" |Win 3–0 Justin Smitley TKO (doctor stoppage) Warrior Cup 2 April 7, 2007 3 2:18 Stockton, California, United States
style="background:#bfd; color:black; vertical-align:middle; text-align:center; " class="table-yes2" |Win 2–0 Ramon Rodriguez Submission (triangle choke) Border Warz October 14, 2006 2 2:33 Colorado Springs, Colorado, United States
style="background:#bfd; color:black; vertical-align:middle; text-align:center; " class="table-yes2" |Win 1–0 Brandon Shelton Submission (kimura) Universal Fight Promotions June 3, 2006 2 N/A Mescalero, New Mexico, United States

References

  1. ↑ 1.0 1.1 1.2 "Profile on". Wec.tv. Retrieved 2009-07-20. 
  2. ↑ "Confirmed Joseph Benavidez Twitter account". March 17, 2011. 
  3. ↑ 3.0 3.1 3.2 "Fight Finder - Joseph Benavidez". 
  4. ↑ http://www.fightmagazine.com/fighters/joseph-benavidez-2802.htm
  5. ↑ 5.0 5.1 5.2 5.3 5.4 5.5 5.6 5.7 Probst, Jason (2009-03-13). "Sherdog Prospect Watch: Joseph Benavidez". Sherdog.com. Retrieved 2009-03-13. 
  6. ↑ UFC Fighter Rankings
  7. ↑ "Sherdog Official Mixed Martial Arts Rankings". Sherdog.com. January 5, 2014. 
  8. ↑ http://www.5thround.com/34312/today-is-joseph-benavidez-day-in-las-cruces-new-mexico/
  9. ↑ "Las Cruces Public Schools State Champions". Retrieved March 20, 2011. 
  10. ↑ "Joe Benavidez | Ultimate Fitness on Purefight". Purefight.org. 2009-07-14. Retrieved 2009-07-20. 
  11. ↑ "State Champions Individual". 
  12. ↑ "The Next Level" (PDF). Retrieved 2009-07-20. 
  13. ↑ "William Penn University wrestling roster for 2001-02: Joseph Benavidez". Statesmenathletics.com. Retrieved 2009-07-20. 
  14. ↑ "Joseph Benavidez vs. Rani Yahya set for WEC 45 in December". www.mmajunkie.com. Retrieved 2009-10-29. 
  15. ↑ "After surprising start from Yahya, Benavidez claims stoppage just at WEC 45". www.mmajunkie.com. Retrieved 2009-12-20. 
  16. ↑ "Miguel Torres vs. Joseph Benavidez set for WEC 47, likely to determine No. 1 contender". mmajunkie.com. 2009-12-31. 
  17. ↑ "Cruz vs Benavidez For The Title In August". MMAweekly.com. 2010-06-08. 
  18. ↑ "Bowles Injured; Benavidez Probable Replacement for WEC 52". sherdog.com. October 7, 2010. 
  19. ↑ "UFC and WEC set to merge in 2011; events to air on Versus and Spike TV". mmajunkie.com. October 28, 2010. 
  20. ↑ "UFC 128 gets three more contests, including Joseph Benavidez vs. Ian Loveland". mmajunkie.com. January 4, 2011. 
  21. ↑ "Joseph Benavidez vs Eddie Wineland fight set for UFC on Versus 5 on Aug. 14". mmamania.com. May 24, 2011. 
  22. ↑ "UFC on Versus 5 Play-by-Play: Joseph Benavidez vs. Eddie Wineland". MMAweekly.com. 2011-08-14. 
  23. ↑ "UFC adds flyweights: Johnson vs. McCall, Benavidez vs. Urushitani at UFC on FX 2". mmajunkie.com. December 11, 2011. 
  24. ↑ "Flyweights Jospeh(sic) Benavidez vs. Ian McCall on tap for UFC 156 in February". mmajunkie.com. December 4, 2012. 
  25. ↑ Matt Molgaard (March 6, 2013). "Joseph Benavidez Will Return Against Darren Uyenoyama at UFC on FOX 7". bleacherreport.com. Retrieved March 6, 2013. 
  26. ↑ "Joseph Benavidez vs. Jussier Formiga targeted for UFC on FOX Sports 1 3". mmajunkie.com. June 21, 2013. 
  27. ↑ Staff (September 18, 2013). "Joseph Benavidez meets UFC flyweight champ Demetrious Johnson at TUF 18 Finale". mmajunkie.com. Retrieved September 18, 2013. 
  28. ↑ Staff (November 10, 2013). "Pettis-Thomson off UFC on FOX 9, Johnson-Benavidez shifts to main event". mmajunkie.com. Retrieved November 10, 2013. 
  29. ↑ Alex Schlinsky (2014-01-31). "Rumor: Joseph Benavidez vs Tim Elliott set for UFC 172". fansided.com. Retrieved 2014-01-31. 

External links

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