TUF 24 Finale Results: Joseph Benavidez Defeats Henry Cejudo by Split Decision
UFC flyweight Joseph Benavidez earned a split decision victory over TUF rival Henry Cejudo, improving to 25-4 in his career and going undefeated in his two fights in 2016.
The UFC’s little big men always bring the heat.
Cejudo took down Benavidez a couple of times to start the fight. It looked like Cejudo would have been able to finish by TKO 35 seconds into the match. But Benavidez escaped. The match was stopped twice due to Benavidez taking a pair of shots to the groin. Referee Yves Lavigne took a point away from Cejudo after the second groin kick, much to the crowd’s displeasure.
Cejudo and Benavidez went back and forth throughout a close first round. Although Cejudo was in position to put away the match again with a guillotine attempt, Benavidez survived and forced the fight to go into the second round.
Benavidez showed some aggression, but Cejudo managed to keep him off balance. Both fighters showcased a plethora of leg kicks in what appeared to be another close round.
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Cejudo and Benavidez both came out hot, exchanging punches and kicks. Though there were few takedown and submission attempts, neither fighter backed down and went strong through all 15 minutes of the match.
The split decision went to Benavidez, likely earning the edge due to a penalty Cejudo received in the first round.
Cejudo was 10-0 until he fell to Demetrious Johnson at UFC 197 this past April by TKO in the first round. The former freestyle wrestling gold medalist now falls to 10-2.
Benavidez entered this bout winning all of his matches since mid-2010, except for two, both of them against Johnson. Benavidez has gone 12-2 through that stretch, including a win over Tim Elliott in 2014, who he coached and helped become The Ultimate Fighter winner this season.
Benavidez goes 2-0 in 2016, while Cejudo falls in both of his showings this year. The two never fought in the octagon prior to tonight. But they became bitter rivals during this season of The Ultimate Fighter. After a great fight, it is safe to say fight fans would be intrigued in seeing these two fight each other again in the future.
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