UFC Brooklyn’s main card featured a rematch of top flyweights Joseph Benavidez and Dustin Ortiz, with Benavidez picking up his second win in the series.
Joseph Benavidez has always been one of the staples of the flyweight division. Ever since he was a part of the first fight in UFC flyweight history, Joe B has consistently been one of the top fighters at 125 pounds. Having won seven of his last eight fights, Benavidez was handed the position of backup for UFC Brooklyn’s main event. Along with that came a matchup against Dustin Ortiz, a rematch of a fight Benavidez won in 2014. Going into the rematch, Ortiz had won three fights in a row.
Benavidez had a great first round to start the fight. Looking for a submission in the first two minutes, he would use his wrestling and striking in order to control Ortiz and keep him in check. Benavidez actually dropped Ortiz with an overhand left with about a minute remaining in the first round, but instead of pouring on the pressure to end the fight, he opted to maintain position and hold Ortiz on the ground until the end of the round.
Round two featured some grappling exchanges at a frenetic pace. Benavidez was in trouble multiple times throughout the second round. With about a minute left in the round, Ortiz got a big slam takedown and found his way to Benavidez’s back, looking for the rear naked choke. However, there wasn’t enough time to secure the choke. In between rounds, the Ortiz corner spilled a bag of ice. Somewhere in the world, Joe Rogan got really upset.
Round three featured plenty of high-paced grappling exchanges between Joe B and Ortiz. Many times throughout the round, Ortiz was in trouble, with his back being taken and being at risk of being submitted. However, he always found a way to survive. In a fight that featured the best of what the flyweight division had to offer, we went to a decision in a very close fight
Joseph Benavidez def. Dustin Ortiz by Unanimous Decision (29-28, 29-28, 29-28)
