MMA News
Joseph Benavidez
- Full Name: Joseph Benavidez
As the new wave of World Extreme Cagefighting fighters make their way into the ufc fold, the organization is currently in a settling in process with it's two new weight classes, featherweights and bantamweights. However, ever since the wec was purchased by Zuffa, they have long focused on the lighter weight fighters in the world, though one weight class had always been on the cusp of entering the promotion, but never came to fruition. Now, people are asking for the flyweight division to come to head, and Dana White, the President of the UFC, says that we may see the 125-pound weight class inside the octagon sooner than you think. ...
Former bantamweight champion, Brian Bowles, was expected to make his return to the cage at wec 52 in November, in hopes to bounce back from a disappointing loss to current title-holder Dominick Cruz at WEC 47. The once undefeated fighter tore his way to a title shot after dispatching some of the best in his weight class, in Will Ribeiro, Damacio Page and Marcos Galvao, en route to a title shot against then champion, Miguel Torres. Seemingly unbeatable, the Georgia boy made quick work of the mullet-wonder with a swift first round knockout, cementing his spot as the best bantamweight in the world--though his glory and accolades didn't hold up for all that long. ...
With the first defense of his WEC Bantamweight Championship now under his belt, 135-pound Dominick Cruz has a lot to look forward to. The WEC’s Bantamweight division has never been more competitive, and the WEC itself has never been bigger or better, which will give Cruz increased media exposure and, at the end of the day, a bigger paycheck. But already a new challenger has stepped up to the plate, outright challenging Cruz before Cruz had even defended his championship. Scott Jorgensen seems ready and willing to answer the call for a new championship contender. But does he have a shot? And how would that fight end up looking once both great Bantamweights step inside the famous blue cage? ...
As the main event of WEC 50 drew near, it seemed like it was time for Joseph Benavidez to shine. He had never looked better in the World Extreme Cagefighting promotion. His base salary as a challenger was higher than the base salary of the defending champion. Perhaps most importantly, Benavidez was coming off of the biggest win of his career, having become the only man to ever submit former division kingpin Miguel Torres. With his improving skills and the confidence gained from the Torres fight, Benavidez seemed primed to avenge the only loss on his professional MMA record and win the WEC Bantamweight Championship in the process. But new champion Dominick Cruz had other plans, and now that Cruz has his first win as champion under his belt, I’m left wondering if we’ve entered a new era in the WEC Bantamweight division. ...
It's no secret that Joseph Benavidez is one of the WEC's hottest commodities. With his fast-paced style and charismatic demeanor, he's an easy fan favorite, reminiscent of mentor, training partner, and friend Urijah Faber. But, doe's that mean that Benavidez, a challenger to champion Dominick Cruz' title, should earn more then the number one guy in his weight class? ...
WEC: 50, which features a bantamweight showdown between champion Dominick Cruz defending his title for the first time against former foe Joseph Benavidez in a sure crowd pleaser, before a near sold-out crowd, at The Pearl and Palms casino, in Las Vegas, Nev. ...
Here we are after WEC 47 in Columbus, Ohio and a few things stood out as I watched the event.There were highlight reel knock outs, great submissions and a couple of failures during the evening. ...
Former WEC bantamweight champion Miguel Torres (36-2) and Joseph Benavidez (7-1) will matchup in a contender battle at WEC 47 in Columbus March 6, according to MMA Junkie. ...
WEC featherweight contenders Rani Yahya (14-3) of Brazil and Joseph Benavidez (7-1) of the USA will matchup at WEC 45 in Las Vegas December 19, the WEC confirmed Thursday. ...
Joseph Benavidez (5-0) remains undefeated as he took a unanimous decision over Danny Martinez (10-1) at WEC 37 in Las Vegas Wednesday night.
Round one began with Benavidez stuffing a single leg attempt by Martinez. Benavidez landed a couple of strong knees to the body of Martinez and followed the attack with a tough kick to the head of his opponent. Martinez sprawled out of another takedown attempt by Martinez and landed another knee to the body for good measure. Benavidez suddenly landed a strong combination of punches that stunned Martinez. Benavidez followed through with more respectable punches. The round ended with Benavidez hip-tossing Martinez to the mat.
The second round started with Martinez landing a left hand shot that caused Benavidez to launch into a flurry of punches. Benzvidez landed a front kick to the body of Martinez followed by a side kick to the body of his opponent. Benavidez displayed strong boxing skills as he clearly out-punched Martinez in the round. The round ended with Martinez landing a knee to the head of Benavidez as he retreated.
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In a stunning cyclone of events, DREAM Lightweight Tournament reserve fighter “Hellboy” Joachim Hansen (19-7-1) captured the DREAM Lightweight Championship in Osaka Sunday night. Hansen was originally eliminated from the tournament at DREAM.3 11 May after dropping a decision to Eddie Alvarez (15-1), but was drafted into the final after slapping an armbar on “Black Mamba” Kultar Gill (10-8) at 2:33 of round one in the tournament's reserve fight Sunday. Ironically, Hansen replaced Alvarez after Alvarez knocked out “Crusher” Tatsuya Kawajiri (22-5-2) at 7:35 of round one in a thrilling slugfest. A right hook, right uppercut combo floored "Crusher" and Alvarez pounded the Japanese fighter out, but sustained a cut over his right eye in the action that would prevent him from fighting for the title. Tournament favorite “Tobikan Judan” Shinya Aoki (17-3) contorted himself into the final versus Hansen in a unanimous decision over “Uno Shoten” Caol Uno (25-11-4), throwing everything in the "Judan" book at Uno: armbar, triangle choke, heel hook, rear naked choke, gogoplata, etc. Though Aoki wasn't able to stop Uno, he dominated for the decision. The final was set: Aoki v Hansen; and, in most people's minds, already settled in favor of the Japanese favorite. ...
“Kid” Norifumi Yamamoto (17-1) withdrew from the 21 July DREAM.5 card Friday due to a partially torn right ACL. He suffered the knee injury during training Thursday when he landed awkwardly after attempting a flying knee. He could be out six months. Yamamoto was to face Joseph Benavidez (7-0), who trains with WEC Featherweight Champion “California Kid” Urijah Faber (21-1). DREAM promoter Keiichi Sasahara said the organization hopes to keep Benavidez on the card and is currently making arrangements to replace Yamamoto. ...
Oft considered 145-pounds' top fighter, "Kid" Norifumi Yamamoto (17-1) will debut in DREAM in their fifth installment 21 July in Osaka. Likewise, Fighters.com's fourth-ranked middleweight Yoshihiro Akiyama (10-1) will debut in DREAM on the same card. No opponent has been named for Akiyama; but, "Kid" will fight undefeated Joseph Benavidez (7-0), a training partner of the other hand on the top featherweight title, "California Kid" Urijah Faber (21-1). Yamamoto TKO'd Rani Yahya (11-4) in the second round in December in K-1 Dynamite!! Benavidez tapped Maurice Eazel (3-8) in a first-round rear naked choked in May at Palace Fighting Championships. ...
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