From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia Joseph Benavidez
Joseph Benavidez
Joseph Benavidez As of November 2011, Benavidez is ranked the #3 ban-
tamweight in the world by Sherdog.[7]
Born Joseph Rolando Benavidez
July 31, 1984 (1984-07-31)
San Antonio, Texas, United States[1] Background
Other names Joe B-Wan Kenobi[2], The Beefcake Benavidez attended Las Cruces High School where he
Nationality American [3] played varsity football, winning two State Champion-
ships,[8] and wrestled varsity for 4 years (1999–2002).[9]
Height 5 ft 4 in (1.63 m)[1] In 2000 Benavidez became the State Wrestling Champion
Weight 135 lb (61 kg; 9.6 st)[3] of New Mexico at 103 lbs during his sophomore
year.[1][10] Benavidez also wrestled one year (2001–02) at
Division Bantamweight
William Penn University in Iowa before moving back to
Flyweight
Las Cruces, New Mexico.[11][12]
Reach 65.0 in (165 cm)[4]
Style Wrestling, Grappling, Kickboxing MMA career
Stance Southpaw Benavidez has been competing for several years in mixed
Fighting out of Sacramento, California, U.S.[3] martial arts. The exact number of underground or un-
sanctioned fights he participated in is unknown, but he
Team Team Alpha Male[5] was undefeated in all of his professional fights until his
Years active 2006–present first loss to Dominick Cruz via decision in 2009. The fight
turned out to be a #1 contenders match for the WEC Ban-
Mixed martial arts record tamweight (135 lb) Title. His next fight was on March 6,
2010 at WEC 47 where he defeated his opponent [13] for-
Total 17 mer WEC Bantamweight champion Miguel Torres, who
Wins 15 dominated the division with 17 consecutive wins.[14]
Both Benavidez’s first loss and Torres loss of the Ban-
By knockout 3
tamweight title occurred on August 9, 2009 at WEC 42. Be-
By submission 8 navidez’s next fight was at WEC 52 where he submitted
world renowned submission specialist Wagnney Fabiano
By decision 4
in the second round via guillotine choke. Benavidez has
Losses 2 used Ted Nugent’s "Stranglehold" (or a similar version of
By decision 2
the song) as his entrance music throughout his career,
which alludes to his preferred method of finishing a
Other information fight.
Mixed martial arts record from Sherdog
Team Alpha Male
last updated on: November 23, 2011
Before joining up with Urijah Faber, Benavidez fought
in smaller shows and trained while working as a screen
Joseph Rolando Benavidez (born July 31, 1984) is an
printer in New Mexico. Hoping to eventually make a liv-
American mixed martial artist. After fighting in smaller
ing fighting MMA, he sought out Faber on a trip to Cal-
shows while working as a screen printer in Las Cruces,
ifornia in January 2007. Unable to find Faber’s gym, he
New Mexico, he joined up with Urijah Faber’s Team Al-
visited one in Roseville hoping to locate him. There his
pha Male in 2007. He has since fought in Dream and most
fighting ability impressed the members and instructors
recently the World Extreme Cagefighting promotion. He
enough (or, in Faber’s words: "[he] basically beat the crap
currently fights as a bantamweight in the Ultimate Fight-
out of everyone")[5] to refer him to Faber. This was only
ing Championship. His fighting style has drawn compar-
hours before Benavidez’ flight home was due and he had
isons to training partner and former WEC Featherweight
to leave for the airport, unable to meet up with him. [5]
Champion Urijah Faber.[6]
1
From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia Joseph Benavidez
“ "I had finally found him, and it was at the end ” Ultimate Fighting Championship
of my vacation. I went to airport and my On October 28, 2010, World Extreme Cagefighting merged
friends dropped me off; [I] was ready to go with the Ultimate Fighting Championship. As part of the
back to New Mexico and my regular life."[5] merger, all WEC fighters were transferred to the UFC.[20]
His flight was then canceled, giving him the chance to In his UFC debut, Benavidez faced Ian Loveland on
meet up with Faber as he had hoped. Benavidez im- March 19, 2011 at UFC 128.[21] He won the fight via unan-
pressed Faber enough to offer him a job at the front desk imous decision.
of his gym, enabling him to leave New Mexico to come Benavidez next fought Eddie Wineland on August 14,
train with him and his team. Benavidez then went back to 2011 at UFC on Versus 5.[22] Benavidez defeated
New Mexico, "jammed everything into his car" and moved Wineland by unanimous decision (30-27, 30-27, 30-27).
to California.[5] After fighting with smaller US-based pro- [23]
motions, Benavidez was offered a fight with Norifumi Ya- Benavidez has recently stated a possible move to the
mamoto by Japanese MMA-promoter Dream in July 2008 125-pound division when the flyweight roster is added to
at Dream 5.[5] The bout was canceled only days before the the UFC.
fight,[5] and Benavidez was instead matched against Jun- At the UFC 140 post-fight press conference, Dana
ya Kudo whom he defeated by guillotine choke submis- White announced that Benavidez would be a participant
sion. in a four man tournament to crown the new newly cre-
ated UFC Flyweight (MMA) Championship. Benavidez is
World Extreme Cagefighting expected to face Yasuhiro Urushitani on March 3, 2012 at
Benavidez was then signed by US-based World Extreme UFC on FX 2 .[24]
Cagefighting. On December 3, 2008, he fought Danny
Martinez at WEC 37 and won by unanimous decision. He
defeated Jeff Curran by unanimous decision at WEC 40 on
Championships and accom-
April 5, 2009.[5] Benavidez dominated Curran from the plishments
opening bell with superior grappling and striking, knock-
• • Fight of the Night (One time)
ing the opponent down in the first round. Curran unsuc-
• Submission of the Night (One time)
cessfully attempted an armbar in the second round and
a triangle choke in the third round. Joseph fought Do-
minick Cruz at WEC 42 and lost by unanimous decision. Mixed martial arts record
Benavidez fought Brazilian jiu-jitsu ace Rani Yahya
on December 19, 2009 at WEC 45.[15] Benavidez won via
first round TKO.[16]
References
Benavidez defeated former WEC Bantaweight Cham- [1] ^ "Profile on". Wec.tv. http://www.wec.tv/
pion Miguel Torres on March 6, 2010 at WEC 47. He dom- JosephBenavidez. Retrieved 2009-07-20.
inated the former Bantamweight Champion opening a [2] "Confirmed Joseph Benavidez Twitter account".
huge cut on Torres’ forehead and ended up submitting March 17, 2011. https://twitter.com/#!/JoeB135/
the former champion by guillotine choke.[17] status/48511356198072320.
[3] ^ "Fight Finder - Joseph Benavidez".
Bantamweight title shot and beyond http://www.sherdog.com/fighter/Joseph-
Benavidez fought Dominick Cruz for the WEC Benavidez-15008.
Bantaweight Championship on August 18, 2010 at WEC [4] http://www.fightmagazine.com/fighters/joseph-
50.[18] The bout was a rematch of their contest at WEC 42, benavidez-2802.htm
in which Cruz handed Benavidez his first career loss, via [5] ^ Probst, Jason (2009-03-13). "Sherdog Prospect
decision. Watch: Joseph Benavidez". Sherdog.com.
Benavidez lost to Dominick Cruz for a second time in http://sherdog.com/news/articles/1/Sherdog-
their rematch via split decision. Prospect-Watch-Joseph-Benavidez-16538.
Benavidez faced Wagnney Fabiano on November 11, Retrieved 2009-03-13.
2010, replacing an injured Brian Bowles.[19] Benavidez [6] Dave Doyle (2009-03-01). "WEC notes: Karalexis
defeated Fabiano via second round submission. After a heeds wake-up call". Yahoo! Sports.
uneventful first round of striking between the two, Be- http://sports.yahoo.com/mma/news?slug=dd-
navidez stung Fabiano with a left and pounced, submit- wecnotes030109&prov=yhoo&type=lgns. Retrieved
ting him with a guillotine after unsuccessfully trying for 2009-03-02.
it twice earlier, submitting the 3rd degree black belt at [7] "Sherdog Official Mixed Martial Arts Rankings".
2:45 of the second round. Sherdog.com. November 23, 2011.
http://www.sherdog.com/news/rankings/8/
2
From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia Joseph Benavidez
Result Record Opponent Method Event Date Round Time Location Notes
Win 15-2 Eddie Decision UFC Live: Hardy 02011-08-14 3 5:00 Milwaukee,
Wineland (unanimous) vs. Lytle August 14, Wisconsin,
2011 United
States
Win 14–2 Ian Love- Decision UFC 128 02011-03-19 3 5:00 Newark,
land (unanimous) March 19, New Jersey,
2011 United
States
Win 13–2 Wagnney Submission WEC 52 02010-11-11 2 2:45 Las Vegas,
Fabiano (guillotine November Nevada,
choke) 11, 2010 United
States
Loss 12–2 Dominick Decision WEC 50 02010-08-18 5 5:00 Las Vegas, For WEC Ban-
Cruz (split) August 18, Nevada, tamweight
2010 United Championship
States
Win 12–1 Miguel Submission WEC 47 02010-03-06 2 2:57 Columbus, Submission of
Torres (guillotine March 6, Ohio, Unit- the Night
choke) 2010 ed States
Win 11–1 Rani Yahya TKO (punch- WEC 45 02009-12-19 1 1:35 Las Vegas,
es) December Nevada,
19, 2009 United
States
Loss 10–1 Dominick Decision WEC 42 02009-08-09 3 5:00 Las Vegas, Fight of the
Cruz (unanimous) August 9, Nevada, Night
2009 United
States
Win 10–0 Jeff Curran Decision WEC 40 02009-04-05 3 5:00 Chicago, Illi-
(unanimous) April 5, nois, United
2009 States
Win 9–0 Danny Decision WEC 37 02008-12-03 3 5:00 Las Vegas,
Martinez (unanimous) December Nevada,
3, 2008 United
States
Win 8–0 Junya Kudo Submission Dream 5 02008-07-21 1 2:42 Osaka, Japan Fought at
(guillotine July 21, Featherweight
choke) 2008 (139 Ibs)
Win 7–0 Maurice Submission Palace Fighting 02008-05-08 1 1:02 Lemoore,
Eazel (rear-naked Championship 8: May 8, 2008 California,
choke) A Night of Cham- United
pions States
Win 6–0 Jason Geor- Submission Palace Fighting 02008-01-17 2 0:38 Lemoore,
gianna (guillotine Championship 6: January 17, California,
choke) No Retreat, No 2008 United
Surrender States
Win 5–0 Rocky Del Submission Independent 02007-06-01 2 N/A Lakeport,
Monte (triangle Event June 1, 2007 California,
choke) United
States
3
From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia Joseph Benavidez
Win 4–0 Carlos TKO (punch- Bring it On: Un- 02007-04-28 1 N/A Oxnard, Cal-
Lovio es) der Destruction April 28, ifornia,
2007 United
States
Win 3–0 Justin TKO (doctor Warrior Cup 2 02007-04-07 3 2:18 Stockton,
Smitley stoppage) April 7, California,
2007 United
States
Win 2–0 Ramon Ro- Submission Border Warz 02006-10-14 2 2:33 Colorado
driguez (triangle October 14, Springs,
choke) 2006 Colorado,
United
States
Win 1–0 Brandon Submission Universal Fight 02006-06-03 2 N/A Mescalero,
Shelton (kimura) Promotions June 3, 2006 New Mexi-
co, United
States
Sherdog-Official-Mixed-Martial-Arts- [16] "After surprising start from Yahya, Benavidez
Rankings-37414. claims stoppage just at WEC 45".
[8] "Las Cruces Public Schools State Champions". www.mmajunkie.com. http://mmajunkie.com/
http://www.lcps.k12.nm.us/departments/ news/17292/after-surprising-start-from-yahya-
athletics/best/04-41teams.pdf. Retrieved March 20, benavidez-claims-stoppage-just-at-wec-45.mma.
2011. Retrieved 2009-12-20.
[9] "Joe Benavidez | Ultimate Fitness on Purefight". [17] "Miguel Torres vs. Joseph Benavidez set for WEC
Purefight.org. 2009-07-14. 47, likely to determine No. 1 contender".
http://www.purefight.org/videos/coverage/ mmajunkie.com. 2009-12-31.
view_video/235395-ultimate-fitness/193653-joe- http://mmajunkie.com/news/17373/miguel-
benavidez. Retrieved 2009-07-20. torres-vs-joseph-benavidez-set-for-wec-47-likely-
[10] "State Champions Individual". to-determine-no-1-contender.mma.
http://www.lcps.k12.nm.us/departments/ [18] "Cruz vs Benavidez For The Title In August".
athletics/docs/ MMAweekly.com. 2010-06-08.
INDIVIDUAL_STATE_CHAMPIONS.pdf. http://mmaweekly.com/cruz-vs-benavidez-for-
[11] "The Next Level" (PDF). the-title-in-august-2.
http://www.lcps.k12.nm.us/departments/ [19] "Bowles Injured; Benavidez Probable Replacement
Athletics/Best/THE%20NEXT%20LEVEL.pdf. for WEC 52". sherdog.com. October 7, 2010.
Retrieved 2009-07-20. http://www.sherdog.com/news/news/Bowles-
[12] "William Penn University wrestling roster for Injured-Benavidez-Probable-Replacement-for-
2001-02: Joseph Benavidez". WEC-52-27343.
Statesmenathletics.com. [20] "UFC and WEC set to merge in 2011; events to air
http://www.statesmenathletics.com/roster/8/15/ on Versus and Spike TV". mmajunkie.com. October
1207.php. Retrieved 2009-07-20. 28, 2010. http://mmajunkie.com/news/21189/ufc-
[13] Morgan, John. "Miguel Torres targeted for WEC 47 and-wec-set-to-merge-in-2011-events-to-air-on-
fight; win could lead to title shot". MMAjunkie. versus-and-spike-tv.mma.
http://mmajunkie.com/news/17187/miguel- [21] "UFC 128 gets three more contests, including
torres-targeted-for-wec-47-fight-win-could-lead- Joseph Benavidez vs. Ian Loveland".
to-title-shot.mma. mmajunkie.com. January 4, 2011.
[14] http://www.sherdog.com/fighter/Miguel- http://mmajunkie.com/news/21974/ufc-128-gets-
Torres-3006 three-more-contests-including-joseph-benavidez-
[15] "Joseph Benavidez vs. Rani Yahya set for WEC 45 in vs-ian-loveland.mma.
December". www.mmajunkie.com. [22] "Joseph Benavidez vs Eddie Wineland fight set for
http://mmajunkie.com/news/16663/joseph- UFC on Versus 5 on Aug. 14". mmamania.com. May
benavidez-vs-rani-yahya-set-for-wec-45-in- 24, 2011. http://www.mmamania.com/2011/5/24/
december.mma. Retrieved 2009-10-29.
4
From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia Joseph Benavidez
2188897/joseph-benavidez-vs-eddie-wineland- • Professional MMA record for Joseph Benavidez from
fight-set-for-ufc-on-versus-5-on. Sherdog
[23] "UFC on Versus 5 Play-by-Play: Joseph Benavidez Persondata
vs. Eddie Wineland". MMAweekly.com. 2011-08-14.
Name Benavidez, Joseph
http://mmaweekly.com/ufc-on-versus-5-play-by-
play-joseph-benavidez-vs-eddie-wineland. Alternative names
[24] "UFC adds flyweights: Johnson vs. McCall, Short description
Benavidez vs. Urushitani at UFC on FX 2". Date of birth 1984-07-31
mmajunkie.com. December 11, 2011.
Place of birth San Antonio, Texas, United States
http://mmajunkie.com/news/26499/ufc-adds-
flyweights-johnson-vs-mccall-benavidez-vs- Date of death
urushitani-at-ufc-on-fx-2.mma. Place of death
External links
• Official UFC Profile
Retrieved from "http://en.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?title=Joseph_Benavidez&oldid=466229364"
Categories:
• 1984 births
• Living people
• People from Las Cruces, New Mexico
• American mixed martial artists
• American mixed martial artists of Mexican descent
• Mixed martial artists from New Mexico
• Bantamweight mixed martial artists
• William Penn University alumni
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