Biography
Joseph Benavides is an American fighter of UFC Mexican origin, several times applying for the status of the division champion. But the series of annoying lesions allows analysts today to conclude about the missed opportunities of an athlete. He himself, being already a veteran of mixed martial arts, hopes to turn the situation and compete with the leaders of a prestigious organization.Childhood and youth
Fighter was born in San Antonio on July 31, 1984. Mexican for nationality grew up in a family together with two brothers, was brought up by a single mother.
Benavides Boxing took up in high school, then carried away by the struggle. And even at the age of 16, he held the first places in New Mexico tournaments. Enrolling at the University of William Penn, continued to raise skills.
However, in student years, Joseph began to abuse drugs and alcohol. For a while, the young man stopped striving to seek at all. But he managed to overcome a detrimental dependence, after which his youthful interest overgrow into something more serious.
Mixed martial arts
Now, in an interview, the fighter says that at the beginning of his professional path experienced great financial difficulties. Up to the fight in 2008 in Japan against Juniy Code, the guy acquired panties from the supermarket for the battle. In the 2000s, mixed martial arts were not considered a prestigious sport, so at the start of the career, Joseph was guided not to dream of becoming a star, but exclusively the desire to engage in a loved one.
Before joining the Urijah Faber, the native of San Antonio often performed in a small show, in parallel took partings related to an absolutely different sphere. However, he had a desire to build a career in MMA. To begin with, he decided to contact Jurai Faberom, hoping that he would help make the first steps in mixed martial arts.
In California, the young man could not see the founder of Team Alpha Male team. It's time to fly home, but at the airport, Joseph collided with a flight delay. Considering this by the sign of fate, he found time to meet with a fiber, who immediately suggested the vacancy of the registrar in his gym.
A resident of New Mexico was painted by the received chance and moved. Combining work and training in the team, the newcomer demonstrated a good potential. And in 2008 he won 2 brilliant victories in the tournaments Palace Fighting Championship.
Then Joseph received an offer to compete in Japan. The rapid fiction with Juniy Code ended with the defeat of the Japanese wrestler through a suffocating reception.
Soon the Mexican attracted the attention of the American promotion World Extreme Cagefighting (WEC). By signing the contract with the organization, he conducted a brilliant meeting with Danny Martinez. Personal record of 10 victories was achieved after a fight with Jeff Carren.
But the start of the career athlete did not cost and without annoying defeats. This was the fight with Dominic Cruz. However, the former boxer quickly returned lost positions. The following matches with Ranani Yahya and Mighel Torres brought him fame, and also gave a chance to fight back with Dominique for the WEC champion title. But on revenge the victory again got a crush.
In the fall of 2010, UFC swallowed WEC, and Joseph became part of the most prestigious American promotion. When it appeared the smartest weight category, the former boxer entered its participants (now the growth of the athlete is 163 cm, the weight is 57 kg, although in the offseason he gains weight). There was an unfulfisher chance to immediately become a champion that increased after the early completion of the battle with the Japanese Yasukhiro Urusitani. But in the final, the native San Antonio lost to the Points of Démetrius Johnson's compatriots.
Further victories over Juser Formiy, Darren Uyenoye and Jan McCall allowed Benavides to fight again for the belt. But due to the missed strike in the first round, the meeting ended early, denoting the first in the professional biography of the fighter by knockout.
Then followed a series of 5 winnings, including the victory over the Russian Ali Bagutinov. Significant in the career of Joseph Match took place with the Olympic champion of Henry Sekudo. Having extended all the allotted time, the native of San Antonio won by a separate decision of the judges. In November 2019, the athlete knocked out Alex Peres, and the next summer for the second time he made Jusser format feel bitterness of defeat.
2020 In Benavides's career, it was impossible to be called successful. The fact is that after the care of the current champion in the lowest weight category, Henry Sekhudo had the title battle for the belt between Joseph and Davison Figueurou. However, the opponent did not pass the weight, respectively, could not claim the title.
But even in the absence of such motivation, Fierein has already knocked out the former boxer in 2 round. The results of the fight, naturally, did not lead to the definition of the division champion. In the most prestigious promotion, the United States began talking about the feasibility of its existence.
Personal life
On October 9, 2015, fighter of mixed martial arts entered into marriage with a journalist and browser of Fox Sports TV channel 1 Megan Olivi. In many information and entertainment publics athlete and his wife are called one of the best MMA pairs. While both are not ready to acquire children and enjoy the opportunity to devote free time to each other.In his instagram account, the fighter is happy to share with subscribers details of personal life, exposing joint photos with his wife from traveling. Lovers prefer sea rest, quiet beaches, where you can be in solitude. By the way, on the trips, Megan and Joseph are still not alone - almost always accompanied by the pets of Benny's pet.
Joseph Benavides now
At the end of 2020, personal statistics of the fighter looked not as attractive, taking into account the re-defeat from Davison Figueuru in Abu Dhabi. After missing the next chance to conquer the title champion, Joseph did not leave attempts to raise the rating in Promotion.
On March 7, 2021, a fight took place within the framework of the UFC 259 tournament. According to forecasts, the opponent of the American Askar Askarov had more advantages that were out of young age, better speed and reaction.
So it happened - the Russian fighter unanimously won the judges. By the way, Askar and before this meeting did not know the defeat - only one meeting with Brandon Moreno ended in a draw.
As for the professional biography of Benavides, analysts are confident - he can no longer compete with the top fighters promotion. The veteran is dangerous in the rack and demonstrates aggressive pressure, but for its category (the lowest weight) is too old. It quickly gets tired, and it affects the accuracy of impact. But even realizing that the chance of the Division champion belt will no longer be introduced, Joseph is not going to complete the career of the defeat series.
Achievements
- 2009 - the best evening fight (against Dominic Cruz)
- 2010 - the best welcome reception (against Miguel Torres)
- 2012 - the best knockout of the evenings (against Yasugo Uruxitani)
- 2014 - Best evening performance (against Tim Elliott)
- 2018 - Best evening performance (against Alex Peres)
- 2019 - the best evening performance (against Jusier Formy)