Point of interest: Odds and opinions

The oddsmakers and public seem to be siding with the longtime fan favorite, listing Benavidez -145 and Figueiredo +125 as of this writing.

Although I have an admitted-bias toward Benavidez (who is the pick here), I’ve always been high on the potential prospects of Figueiredo. The Brazilian dark horse has athleticism and power that’s hard to match at 125 pounds, as none of us should really be surprised if he’s able to knock Benavidez stiff off of an ill-timed slip or shift to Figueiredo’s power side. That said, there’s ultimately too much going the other way on paper for me to side with the underdog.

Figueiredo isn’t the best when it comes to checking leg or calf kicks, and – despite working the body well, himself – his traditional approach of head movement still leaves him available to the midsection. Add in the fact that the Brazilian cuts a ton of weight to make the flyweight limit, and I suspect that Benavidez’s persistent pace and bodywork will pay dividends down the stretch of a 5-round fight. The pick is for Benavidez to score a stoppage via strikes late into the third round.

Prediction: Benavidez inside the distance

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