Joseph Benavidez is coming off of a coaching stint on the UFC Ultimate Fighter 24, where he coached opposite Henry Cejudo and then defeated him by decision at the reality show finale.
Benavidez has also fought twice for the UFC Flyweight Title, suffering defeats in both fights to current UFC Flyweight Champion Demetrious Johnson. One loss came by decision and the other came by knockout.
Benavidez has earned six straight wins since the second loss to the champion, which according to Benavidez, should get him another title opportunity.
“Demetrious is the only fight I want, always,” Benavidez said to MMA Junkie. “But it’s one of those things – you don’t call people out lower than you, for me. And I’m not necessarily calling out D.J. because of our history already. It’s one of those things you’ve got to wait for the media, the fans, the people to actually want it before you do. And this has been the most, you know, I’ve seen people like, ‘Hey, third shot’s ready, third shot’s ready.’ I don’t ask for anything, but I’m at the point where I feel like I’ve done what I’ve had to do by beating who I have to, and it’s that time. So I guess we have to fight again. I understand where D.J. is at if he doesn’t want to fight me for a third time, but there comes a point as a champ where you just have to fight the best guy, and if that’s me, then we’ve got to do it again. So I’m ready for that. That’s definitely what I want.”
Benavidez is also under the impression that Johnson has another opponent in mind for his next title defense.
“I think (Johnson) wants another fight, from what I heard,” Benavidez said. “I don’t know how true this is that (Johnson) wanted to fight Wilson Reis. Because they were matched up before, but Reis is fighting in Brooklyn (at UFC on Feb. 11). And even if he wins, that’s two unranked opponents he’s beat in his last two fights – not necessarily deserving of a title shot.”
Benavidez has earned a total of twelve victories under the UFC banner, with his only two defeats coming to the aforementioned Demetrious Johnson.
