UFC 225 adds pair of fights, including return of Joseph Benavidez vs. Sergio Pettis

The UFC’s return to the “Windy City” has started to build with the addition of a pair of fights, including the return of one of the world’s top flyweights.

Joseph Benavidez (25-4 MMA, 12-2 UFC) will return after what will be a year-and-a-half-long injury layoff to take on Sergio Pettis (16-3 MMA, 7-3 UFC) at UFC 225. In addition, Rashad Coulter (8-3 MMA, 0-2 UFC) will take on Allen Crowder (9-3 MMA, 0-1 UFC) in a heavyweight bout. The Chicago Tribune first reported the new bookings.

UFC 225 takes place June 9 at United Center in Chicago. The main card will air on pay-per-view following prelims on FS1 and UFC Fight Pass. It will be UFC’s first pay-per-view in Chicago proper (UFC 90 took place in suburban Rosemont, Ill., in October 2008).

Benavidez most recently fought in December 2016 at the TUF 24 Finale, where he took a split decision from Olympic gold medalist Henry Cejudo. The win was his sixth straight after a flyweight title title loss to champion Demetrious Johnson in December 2013. It was Benavidez’s second loss to Johnson – the only fighter to beat him in the UFC.

After that title rematch loss, Benavidez bounced back with a bonus-winning submission of Tim Elliott, then decisions over Dustin Ortiz, John Moraga, Ali Bagautinov, Zach Makovsky and Cejudo. Elliott, Moraga, Bagautinov and Cejudo all have fought Johnson for the title, as well.

Pettis is coming off a loss to Cejudo at UFC 218 in December. The setback snapped a four-fight winning streak of unanimous decisions over Chris Cariaso, Chris Kelades, Moraga and Brandon Moreno. But he will be returning to United Center, the site of the first loss of his pro career – a “Fight of the Night” submission loss to Alex Caceres more than four years ago.

Coulter started his pro career 8-1, but it’s been a rough start to his UFC tenure. He has back-to-back knockout losses to Chase Sherman and Tai Tuivasa in 2017, so he’ll be searching for his first UFC victory.

Crowder needs to bounce back, as well. He got his shot in the UFC through a win on Dana White’s Contender Series this past August. But in December, he was knocked out by Justin Willis to have a four-fight winning streak snapped.

With the additions, the UFC 225 card now includes:

• Carla Esparza vs. Claudia Gadelha
• Joseph Benavidez vs. Sergio Pettis
• Rashad Coulter vs. Allen Crowder

For more on UFC 225, check out the UFC Rumors section of the site.