Joseph Benavidez issues statement following loss to Deiveson Figueiredo: “I’m not going out like that”

Joseph Benavidez received another shot at UFC gold when he squared off with Deiveson Figueiredo in tonight’s UFC Fight Island 2 headliner.

The bout marked Benavidez’s fourth career shot at UFC flyweight gold, this after coming up short in his three previous attempts to Demetrious Johnson (x2) and the aforementioned Figueiredo.

In his most recent bout with the Brazilian this past February, Joseph Benavidez suffered a controversial TKO loss after being finished by Deiveson shortly after an accidental headbutt occured.

Unfortunately for ‘Joe-B’, his tough times in title fights continued this evening on Yas Island. Deiveson Figueiredo proceeded to dominate Benavidez right from the opening bell, dropping Joseph three times before ultimately finishing the contest with a rear-naked choke (see that here).

Joseph Benavidez opened up about his fourth career UFC title loss at tonight’s post-fight press conference (via Aaron Bronsteter of TSN).

"It's weird, I've died 100 times, what's another death? It's different because I know I did everything right in preparation, I didn't take any shortcuts" – Joseph Benavidez at the post-fight press conference.

— Aaron Bronsteter (@aaronbronsteter) July 19, 2020

“It’s weird, I’ve died 100 times, what’s another death? It’s different because I know I did everything right in preparation, I didn’t take any shortcuts.”

"To do this and to be able to do this is a blessing in itself and that's just on the fight side, I'm grateful for the opportunity… I came in at 2 in the morning, it's dark… I'm taking punches to the face at 6 in the morning… I'm grateful that I'm capable to do that"

— Aaron Bronsteter (@aaronbronsteter) July 19, 2020

“”To do this and to be able to do this is a blessing in itself and that’s just on the fight side, I’m grateful for the opportunity… I came in at 2 in the morning, it’s dark… I’m taking punches to the face at 6 in the morning… I’m grateful that I’m capable to do that,” – Joseph Benavidez continued.

“Nothing can be bad at the end of the day. Going home and having someone that makes you feel like the best every day. I sit here humbled, impressed by him and grateful I got the opportunity to go out there and display what I prepared for… Life comes at you fast, man.”

"This is my fourth title shot, it takes a lot of perseverance to get there again and again… I remember the way it felt after that last fight and I couldn't control it… I was obviously not broken, I never wanted to quit."

— Aaron Bronsteter (@aaronbronsteter) July 19, 2020

“This is my fourth title shot, it takes a lot of perseverance to get there again and again… I remember the way it felt after that last fight and I couldn’t control it… I was obviously not broken, I never wanted to quit.”

"I'm not going out like that. Nothing's guaranteed in this sport for sure, but I'm not going to get another title shot and I'm not going to go out on that, so I just want to go out with another fight and after that there's nothing else for me to do"

— Aaron Bronsteter (@aaronbronsteter) July 19, 2020

“I’m not going out like that. Nothing’s guaranteed in this sport for sure, but I’m not going to get another title shot and I’m not going to go out on that, so I just want to go out with another fight and after that there’s nothing else for me to do”

Who would you like to see Joseph Benavidez fight next following his loss to Deiveson Figueiredo at tonight’s UFC Fight Island 2 event? Share your thoughts in the comments section PENN Nation!

on July 18, 2020