UFC Fight Night 28 Date: September 4, 2013 Arena: Mineirinho Arena City: Belo Horizonte, Brazil Flyweight bout: Joseph Benavidez (-570) vs Jussier Formiga (+480) Fight Breakdown: The UFC Fight Night 28 main card features a match-up between two top ten flyweights when California’s Team Alpha Male product Joseph Benavidez takes on long-time top ranked flyweight, the Brazilian Jussier Formiga. Benavidez is currently the large favorite at -570 ($570 to win $100), while Formiga is the large underdog at +480 ($100 to win $480) at Several Bookmakerss. JOSEPH BENAVIDEZ (18-3 MMA, 5-1 UFC) is working his way up to another shot at Demetrious “Mighty Mouse” Johnson and his Championship title. His only loss in the UFC came against Mighty Mouse himself, when the two met for the Flyweight tournament finale. It was a fight in which Mighty Mouse ended up having his hand raised after a hard fought fifteen minutes. The two other losses on Benavidez’s resume come to current UFC bantamweight Champion Dominick Cruz, so Benavidez has only lost to champions. Joseph Benavidez is a beast of an athlete, all around. He has good stand up skills, with fast and heavy hands. He is an extremely talented wrestler who possesses great takedowns and could take just about anyone at 125 down at will. Training out of Team Alpha Male in Sacramento, CA., Joseph Benavidez has the best training partners any fighter in his weight class could possibly ask for, as he trains daily with Chad Mendes, Urijah Faber, TJ Dillashaw, Danny Castillo, and others. With the addition of Duane Ludwig as Team Alpha Male’s Striking/Head Coach, Benavidez has been seeing improvements in his stand-up skills and has gained more confidence in his hands and kicks. JUSSIER FORMIGA (15-2 MMA, 1-1 UFC) is making his third trip to the Octagon following a Unanimous Decision victory over Chris Cariasco three months ago. Formiga was ranked as the #2 flyweight in the world at the time the UFC announced their flyweight division, with his only loss coming to Ian McCall, who was ranked #1 and has also since fallen off and is building back up. Jussier Formiga is a Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu ace; he is always a threat from both top and bottom positions. He is good at latching on to an opponents back and scrambling his way into a submission. Training out of the famous Brazilian Nova Uniao camp, Formiga puts in time with Champion training partners Jose Aldo, Eduarto Dantas, and Renan Barao. His all around skill-set improves from fight to fight. Jussier Formiga will head into this bout looking to make a statement in front of his home crowd; one that will skyrocket him back to the top of the flyweight rankings. Fight Prediction: Both fighters are well-conditioned and will be able to go all fifteen minutes, if necessary. To put it simply, I see Benavidez getting the better of Formiga, regardless of where the fight goes. I see him either scoring a finish or taking an easy 30-27, possibly a 30-26. Gabe’s Pick: Joseph Benavidez by KO (punch, 3:55 round 2) Gabe’s Recommended Play: Joseph Benavidez -3.5 -350, preferably parlayed with Glover Teixeira ITD -240 for -122. Big on that. Moderate on Benavidez ITD -135.
