Defeated in 2013, Jussier Formiga does not see the fight against Benavidez as a rematch

J. Formiga fights this Saturday at UFC Minneapolis. Photo: Reproduction/Facebook jussierformigadasilva

Flyweight (up to 56,7kg.) Jussier formiga will face the American Joseph Benevidez for the second time in his career. The Brazilian was defeated in the first meeting, in 2013, in Belo Horizonte, however, he said that he does not consider this Saturday's clash (29), for UFC Minneapolis, a rematch. The statement was made in an interview with 'Combate'. The athletes face off in the co-main fight of the event.

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“I don’t see this fight as a rematch. I see it as a new fight for me. I can't take away his credit, he won, but it was six years ago. I was a type of athlete and today I am completely different. You can be sure that this Saturday will be different”, said Jussier.

At the time, athletes were experiencing opposite situations. After defeating the Brazilian, Benavidez won the chance to compete for the category title, which, in 2013, belonged to Demetrious Johnson. Joseph was defeated and had to return to the queue to try for a new opportunity in the future.

Six years later, Jussier has the chance to do things differently. The athlete, if he emerges victorious, only has the chance to fight for the belt. Currently, Formiga is first in the ranking, behind only the champion, Henry Cejudo. Benavidez is second. For the Brazilian, in case of victory, there is no other option than to fight for the flyweight title.

“In my last fight, Dana (White) said I had to face Benavidez. So, let's fight Benavidez. If I beat the number two in the division, who will I face? I will face the number zero in the division for the title. I think it’s a bit illogical,” said Jussier.

The Brazilian, in fact, is experiencing a magical moment within Ultimate. Coming from four consecutive victories, the athlete born in Natal (RN) had his last setback in 2017, when he was defeated by the North American Ray Borg, in Fortaleza. In his last match, Formiga defeated his compatriot Deiveson Figueiredo in a unanimous decision by the judges, in March this year, by UFC Nashville.

If he manages to defeat Joseph, Jussier, however, will have to wait, if he wants to face Cejudo for the title, considering that, recently, the champion underwent shoulder surgery and is expected to be out of action until 2020. It is also unknown whether Henry will want to defend the flyweight belt immediately, as the athlete also became champion in the bantamweight category, when he beat the Brazilian Marlon moraes, UFC 238earlier this month.

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