With the current flyweight champion set to go up in weight to try and capture a second divisional title, it’s now time for the top contenders at 125-pounds to square off once again.
Jussier Formiga and Joseph Benavidez are set to rematch at UFC Minneapolis.
The UFC’s 125-pound men’s flyweight division has been in quite an interesting state over the last few months, to say the least. With its future in continual question, there’s just no telling as to what could happen as time goes on.
But with that in mind, there are still fights being made. The UFC would announce Wednesday that the division’s No. 1 and 2 ranked contenders, Jussier “Formiga” Da Silva (23-5), and Joseph Benavidez (27-5) will meet for the second time on June 29 at UFC Minneapolis.
Who deserves the shot at a flyweight title!?@JussierFormiga & @JoeJitsu look to give us answers at #UFCMinneapolis. pic.twitter.com/9yXOCSlkuN
— UFC (@ufc) April 10, 2019
The pair of flyweight legends first met in September 2013. Benavidez would end up walking away victorious after scoring a perfect TKO via knee to the body followed by punches in the opening round. Since then, both fighters have gone 8-2 in their 10 bouts that have followed.
For the Brazilian, he currently rides his most impressive winning streak since entering the UFC in 2012. Having won four straight bouts, two of which came via submissions (rear-naked choke), his most recent two wins were his most notable as he beat Sergio Pettis and the previously unbeaten 15-0 Deiveson Figueiredo.
Joseph Benavidez, on the other hand, has gone 2-1 since returning from the ACL tear that he suffered in late 2018. He’ll come into this fight riding back to back wins over Alex Perez and Dustin Ortiz.
UFC Minneapolis is still taking shape. The event’s current lineup can be seen below.
- Welterweight – 170lbs: Tyron Woodley vs. Robbie Lawler
- Flyweight – 125lbs: Joseph Benavidez vs. Jussier Formiga
- Heavyweight – 207-265lbs: Maurice Greene vs. Junior Albini
- Lightweight – 155lbs: Drew Dober vs. Marco Polo Reyes
- Light Heavyweight – 205lbs: Vinicius Moreira vs. Roman Dolidze
