Why Joseph Benavidez won't call out 'Mighty Mouse' with UFC Fight Night 28 win

He’s already ranked as the world’s No. 2 flyweight, but if victorious at Wednesday’s UFC Fight Night 28 event, don’t expect Joseph Benavidez to call out reigning champion Demetrious Johnson.

When it comes to a potential rematch with “Mighty Mouse,” who won the duo’s first meeting via split decision a year ago, Benavidez figures it’s out of his hands anyway.

“If I deserve it, I’ll get it,” he told MMAjunkie.com Radio (www.mmajunkie.com/radio).

Benavidez (18-3 MMA, 5-1 UFC) looks for his third straight win since that UFC 152 title loss to Johnson, which came via 48-47, 47-48 and 49-46 scores. On Wednesday in a FOX Sports 1-televised main-card bout at Mineirinho Arena in Belo Horizonte, Minas Gerais, Brazil, he takes on Jussier Formiga (15-2 MMA, 1-1 UFC), who’s ranked No. 5 in the latest USA TODAY Sports/MMAjunkie.com MMA flyweight rankings.

So even if Benavidez goes out there and puts on a dominating performance, beats a third straight ranked opponent and solidifies his standing as the world’s No. 2 flyweight, he won’t immediately stump for a rematch with Johnson?

“The great performance part is definitely part of my plan,” he said. “The calling out? That’s not really me.

“I’d be down to fight Demetrious, but like I think I’ve told you guys before, it’s not something I’m like obsessing over. It’s just kind of there, and at the end of the day, it’s not really my decision anyway. I’m going to fight, I’m going to do good, and I’m willing to go for the title. But ultimately, if they want to make the decision, they’re going to make the decision and give me the title shot. It’s not anything I need to ask for.”

That’s not to say Benavidez isn’t eager to avenge the defeat; he is. Other than Johnson, his only losses have come to long-reigning bantamweight champion Dominick Cruz.

Additionally, since Duane “Bang” Ludwig took over as head instructor, Benavidez and his Team Alpha Male teammates have won a dozen bouts without a loss. He’d like to keep the streak alive, and a UFC title is the only thing really missing from the camp’s success.

But if it comes, it’ll come when he deserves it, he said.

“I think it’d always be good to go for the world title and to fight a guy like ‘Mighty Mouse,’ who’s one of the best guys in the world and someone I have a loss to and to go out there and avenge it,” Benavidez said. “I think it’s always going to be a good fight and good test and challenge for myself. I’m always down for it, but it’s nothing I’m really going to ask for or obsess over.”

For more on UFC Fight Night 28, stay tuned to the UFC Rumors section of the site.

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