Jussier Formiga at UFC on ESPN 3 – June 29, 2019
Benavidez then ended up on the wrong end of a split-decision in the next fight, but bounced back with wins over Alex Perez and Dustin Ortiz to right the ship and keep him in the title conversation at 125 pounds.
Then he faced off against in-form Jussier Formiga for the second time in Minneapolis and snapped the Brazilian’s four-fight win streak to position himself for another shot at the title.
The second bout came five years after their first meeting, when Benavidez finished the Brazilian in one round in Belo Horizonte, Brazil, and saw the American score another stoppage finish. But this one was even more spectacular.
The finish came in the second round, after Benavidez had slowed the Brazilian’s movement with a succession of thumping calf kicks. It meant Benavidez was able to set his sights and unleash a head kick and a huge right hand that stunned Formiga. A succession of follow-up shots eventually sent him to the canvas to give Benavidez another big win and put him in position to challenge for flyweight gold.
Watch Joseph Benavidez vs. Jussier Formiga 2 on UFC Fight Pass
Next up: A controversial defeat
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