Joseph Benavidez is set to return from his knee injury at UFC 225 against top-five flyweight Sergio Pettis, along with a heavyweight matchup.
The Chicago Tribune reported the additions to UFC 225.
Both Joseph Benavidez and Sergio Pettis entered the Octagon against top contender Henry Cejudo last time out. Benavidez went home with a controversial decision win, while Pettis was thoroughly dominated by Cejudo for 15 minutes. The second fight added is between heavyweights Rashad Coulter and Allen Crowder.
Joseph Benavidez has fought 21 in the WEC and UFC and has just four losses on his record, to Dominick Cruz and Demetrious Johnson twice each. Benavidez is easily one of the highest-level fighters to never hold a championship belt. The Team Alpha Male fighter is on a six-fight win streak, but has not stepped into the Octagon since December of 2016 after sustaining a knee injury last year.
Sergio Pettis, the younger brother of former champion Anthony Pettis, has performed very well in the UFC. Sporting a 7-3 record, Pettis recently made a run at contendership with four straight victories that included a main event win over Brandon Moreno. With Cejudo in position to be the next flyweight to get a shot at Demetrious Johnson, this bout poses as a number-two contender matchup.
As for the heavyweights, Rashad Coulter has been knocked around a bit in the Octagon, getting stopped with strikes against Chase Sherman and Tai Tuivasa. However, all eight of his career victories have come by knockout. Allen Crowder was featured on the Dana White Tuesday Night Contender Series where he won by knockout with 48 seconds left in the bout. Crowder was swiftly beaten by Justin Willis in his promotional debut in December.
UFC 225 will take place in the United Center in Chicago, Illinois, on June 9. The event does not have a headliner but the two fights join Carla Esparza vs. Claudia Gadelha as confirmed bouts.
