Preview: UFC Fight Night 143 ‘Cejudo vs. Dillashaw’

Flyweights

Joseph Benavidez (26-5) vs. Dustin Ortiz (19-7)

ODDS: Benavidez (-235), Ortiz (+195)

Assuming the UFC’s flyweight division continues to exist, Benavidez should be a huge beneficiary of Demetrious Johnson being dethroned as the divisional kingpin. For years, Benavidez was the clear second-best flyweight on the roster but was frozen out of the title picture due to -- and this seems funny to say now -- the UFC’s historical distaste for rematches, especially given that Johnson scored a first-round knockout in their last bout. As a result, Benavidez was left to just keep beating fringe contender after fringe contender, putting together a six-fight winning streak that included a victory over current champ Henry Cejudo. That Cejudo win may have marked the end of Benavidez’s prime, as he subsequently missed all of 2017 with a major knee injury before dropping his return bout to Sergio Pettis; however, he rebounded with a dominant win over Alex Perez in November that re-affirmed him as a top contender. Benavidez was initially slated to serve as the backup fighter for the main event here, but at some point, the UFC decided to give him a fight, pitting him against the surging Ortiz.

Ortiz was one of Benavidez’s victims during that six-fight winning streak, which is emblematic of his traditional position in the UFC’s flyweight ranks. He has historically been a jack of all trades, master of none type who has served as a solid gatekeeper but suffered clear losses to top-flight competition. That might be changing, however. While the best victory of his recent three-fight winning streak came in a decision over Alexandre Pantoja, Ortiz has suddenly flashed some knockout power in the other two fights, stopping Hector Sandoval and Matheus Nicolau Pereira within a frame. Ortiz seems to be hitting a late prime, so this is as good a time as any to try and make another run against one of the best flyweights in the history of the sport.

Benavidez proved he can still go against Perez, but Ortiz provides a stout enough challenge that this will not necessarily be a “gimme.” Still, Benavidez figures to have the wrestling to keep the fight standing, and even having lost a step, he still looks like the quicker, craftier fighter. The main danger is if Ortiz’s recent power improvements are real enough to cause some damage here. That does not feel like a sure enough bet to call for the upset, so the pick is Benavidez by clear decision.

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