Top flyweight Joseph Benavidez is taking on Dustin Ortiz in an important bout in regards to the 125-pound title at UFC Fight Night 57 in Austin, TX. UFC Officials broke the news on Tuesday on UFC.com.
Benavidez got back into the win column at UFC 172 last April when he submitted Timothy Elliot in the featured preliminary fight. Prior to that, he was finished for the first time of his career in a rematch with current Flyweight Champion Demetrious Johnson. Their first fight together was for the inaugural flyweight title back in 2012. Johnson won via split-decision. Benavidez has only lost to current and former champs in his career, with 2 losses to Johnson and 2 losses to former Bantamweight Champion Dominick Cruz.
Dustin Ortiz has won two straight since suffering his first loss in the UFC to the hands of top flyweight John Moraga. His past three fights have all gone to a split-decision, two fights being in his favour. He defeated Ray Borg in April at UFC on FOX 11 and then kept his streak alive by also defeating Justin Scoggins earlier this summer at the TUF 19 Finale.
A win for Benavidez would put him back into “the mix” at 125-pounds and a win for Ortiz would definitely cause him to climb the UFC rankings and become a title contender.
UFC Fight Night 57 on November 22 at the Frank Erwin Center in Austin, Texas. There is currently no headliner or other fights booked for the UFC’s second trip to Austin.
