Joseph Benavidez Believes UFC Flyweight Division has 'New Life,' Wants Title Shot Next

Joseph Benavidez has edged closer to a third crack at the Ultimate Fighting Championship 125-pound belt with his victory over Dustin Ortiz on Saturday night, and he’s keen on the chances of there still being a belt for him to fight for.

Two-time flyweight title challenger Benavidez came into the fight as the favorite against Ortiz having previously beat him back in at UFC Fight Night 57 in November 2014 by unanimous decision, though the fight was much closer this time around showcasing how much Ortiz had improved. The 34-year-old was interviewed backstage after his win and was immediately asked about the future of the flyweight division with strong rumors suggesting the UFC is planning on scrapping the division. (transcript via MMA Junkie):

“How many times can I answer? How am I even supposed to?” Benavidez said. “You go out there, you fight, you do your thing, these guys fight (for the title). I’m not fighting (for the title). I’m not making decisions. I’ve been here since the beginning, since flyweights stepped foot in here. I’ve been a fan of every flyweight since.

“We finally have new life, a new champion – dude’s an Olympic champion,” Benavidez added. “We have superfights, we’re headlining (cards), there are hundreds, thousands of kids out there trying to be the flyweight champion of the UFC right now. It would be crazy to get rid of something like that not knowing what the future holds, because this is the first real sign of the future in the history of the weight class.”

Benavidez says if the UFC keeps the 125-pound division he wants a shot at Henry Cejudo, who also fought on Saturday night, beating bantamweightT.J. Dillashaw in a flyweight super-fight by TKO just 32 seconds. Benavidez has some history with the champ, having fought Cejudo at “The Ultimate Fighter 24” finale in December 2016. Benavidez won that fight by split decision, but it was a very closely contested affair, and hinged at least in part on a point deduction levied against Cejudo for repeated low blows.

“That’s what I’m here for since the beginning, since the original four – we fought in Australia, and I fought [Demetrious Johnson] for the inaugural title,” Benavidez said. “He went on to become the longest-reigning title guy ever. I’m still here calling for the title. I have a win over the champion. The mission has been the same the whole time, since it started, since I laid the groundwork for the division: to be the best in it. So that’s obviously what I want next.”