Joseph Benavidez faces Ben Nguyen at UFC Auckland in June

Benavidez and Nguyen face each other in June (Photos: UFC/Montage: Super Fights)

The UFC Auckland card, scheduled for June 10th in New Zealand, is starting to take shape. After confirmation that the heavyweights Derrick Lewis e Mark Hunt will be the main fight of the event, it was announced that the duel between Joseph Benavidez and Ben Nguyen, valid in the flyweight category (up to 56 kg), is also confirmed for the show.

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Number 1 in the category ranking, Benavidez, has already challenged for the belt on two occasions, but ended up being defeated both times by Demetrious Johnson, the only UFC flyweight champion in history. His last title fight was in 2013, when he was knocked out in the first round. Since then, he has won six consecutive victories, the last of which was over Henry Cejudo, last December. In total, he has 14 fights in the franchise, with 12 positive results and two negative results.

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Nguyen, in turn, can be considered a newcomer to the UFC, with just four fights. He debuted in May 2015, defeating Alptekin Ozkilic via knockout. Afterwards, he beat Ryan Benoit by submission, but his winning streak was interrupted by Louis Smolka. In his last duel, he beat Geane Herrera at UFC Melbourne, in November 2016. With three wins and one setback in the franchise, Ben finds himself in 13th place in the rankings.