Joseph Benavidez still fixated on champ Johnson, but would fight Reis in title-eliminator

DENVER – After beating rival “The Ultimate Fighter 24” head coach Henry Cejudo this past month, two-time UFC title challenger Joseph Benavidez made it clear that he deserved a third stab at flyweight champion Demetrious Johnson.

A few weeks later, Benavidez’s (25-4 MMA, 12-2 UFC) wishes remain unchanged: Johnson (25-2-1 MMA, 13-1-1 UFC) is the only fight that he wants. But with a contract yet to be signed and Johnson’s UFC plans still undetermined, the contender sees an alternative scenario that could help clear up the title picture.

“I think (Johnson) wants another fight, from what I heard,” Benavidez said. “I don’t know how true this is that (Johnson) wanted to fight Wilson Reis. Because they were matched up before, but Reis is fighting in Brooklyn (at UFC on Feb. 11). And even if he wins, that’s two unranked opponents he’s beat in his last two fights – not necessarily deserving of a title shot.

“Also from what I heard, D.J. doesn’t want to fight until later (in the year, in Las Vegas). Once again, this might not be true. He might be ready to fight in May. It might be me and him.

“As of now, that’s what I think, so I’ll even fight Reis before that. That way we know the best person is going in and fighting D.J. Because he has this time that he wants, this opponent he wants, but I think as champ you fight the best guy, even if he’s beat me. So that makes sense to me.”

Sitting atop the latest USA TODAY Sports/MMAjunkie MMA pound for pound rankings, Johnson, who’s also No. 1 at flyweight, had an injury force him out of an original UFC 201 appointment with Reis (21-6 MMA, 5-2 UFC), who’s ranked No. 7 at 125 pounds.

Reis then went on to face and beat UFC newcomer Hector Sandoval for his second straight UFC win after a loss to fellow Brazilian Jussier Formiga, while Johnson most recently defended his belt a ninth time after picking up a win over “TUF 24” winner Tim Elliott.

No. 2 flyweight Benavidez has an argument for a new title shot. After all, since suffering his second loss to Johnson – also his second and last setback in the octagon – he’s gone on a 6-0 run against some of the division’s top contenders.

Now, not only is Benavidez convinced he’s earned a third try, he sees public opinion (and logic) on his side.

“Demetrious is the only fight I want, always,” Benavidez said. “But it’s one of those things – you don’t call people out lower than you, for me. And I’m not necessarily calling out D.J. because of our history already. It’s one of those things you’ve got to wait for the media, the fans, the people to actually want it before you do.

“And this has been the most, you know, I’ve seen people like, ‘Hey, third shot’s ready, third shot’s ready.’ I don’t ask for anything, but I’m at the point where I feel like I’ve done what I’ve had to do by beating who I have to, and it’s that time. So I guess we have to fight again.

“I understand where D.J. is at if he doesn’t want to fight me for a third time, but there comes a point as a champ where you just have to fight the best guy, and if that’s me, then we’ve got to do it again. So I’m ready for that. That’s definitely what I want.”

What doesn’t make sense for Benavidez, however, was the callout he received right before he walked into Denver’s Pepsi Center media room during this past Saturday’s UFC on FOX 23 event. Upon hearing that “TUF 24” semifinalist and Team Cejudo member Alexandre Pantoja had just targeted him after his UFC-debut win, Benavidez was somewhat amused.

“I don’t think it’s what anyone was expecting except him and Henry,” Benavidez said. “They probably had it planned, evil masterplan. (Pantoja) was on ‘The Ultimate Fighter,’ and he had a good fight against Eric (Shelton), but that fight obviously doesn’t make any sense for me or anybody I feel saw the callout. That doesn’t make any sense, but it’s obviously funny. And, basically, he’s just Henry’s boy.

“You know they planned that out. Someone told him to call me out. So it’s just funny. Like I said, (Cejudo) is so satisfied with the loss and his people telling him that he did good that it’s like, why don’t you fight me or you call me out? You’re not asking for a rematch, but you want one of your cronies to, you know?

“Pantoja is cool. I have nothing bad to say about him, but that fight definitely doesn’t make sense for me. But once again, if they match it up, cool. I’ll put him down, show him how top guys do it.”

To hear Benavidez’s case for a new title shot and thoughts on the peculiar callout, check out the video above.

And for more on the UFC’s upcoming schedule, check out the UFC Rumors section of the site.