UFC Fight Night 28 results: Joseph Benavidez crushes Jussier Formiga for TKO

BELO HORIZONTE, Brazil – Demetrious Johnson remains Joseph Benavidez’s only setback in the flyweight division.

But the way things are going for Benavidez, it looks like a rematch is in store. Jussier Formiga is the latest notch on his “Joe-Jitsu” belt.

The flyweight bout was part of the main card of today’s UFC Fight Night 28 event at Mineirinho Arena in Belo Horizonte, Minas Gerais, Brazil. It aired on FOX Sports 1 following prelims on FOX Sports 1 and Facebook.

Formiga, who came into the UFC as a top-ranked flyweight, got caught with a one-two combination from Benavidez and dropped to the mat after a knee slammed into his midsection. The bout was called off at the 3:07 mark of the first round.

With title talk in the air, Benavidez said he wouldn’t mind another shot at Johnson, who outpointed him a year ago to win the inaugural UFC flyweight title. But he also made it clear he wouldn’t drop to a knee and ask the promotion’s executives for the opportunity.

“I’m not the kind of type to bark for a title shot,” Benavidez said afterward. “I’m just trying to get better every day, every fight. But I think I’ve proven that I can beat and finish the top guys in the division. So whatever the UFC wants to do, I respect that, and I’ll be ready to do it.”

Benavidez’s speed was on display early in the fight as he leapt in and out of range with big punches as Formiga tried to counter. A few times, the Brazilian found his target, but he was unable to stop the advance.

A quick left straight, right hook combination from Benavidez rocked Formiga, who was wholly unprepared for a knee to his stomach. Benavidez wailed away with follow-up punches, but they were academic.

Benavidez (19-3 MMA, 6-1 UFC) now has won three straight in the UFC following his loss to Johnson, while Formiga (15-3 MMA, 1-2 UFC) now dips into losing territory in the octagon.

Up-to-the-minute UFC Fight Night 28 results include:

• Joseph Benavidez def. Jussier Formiga via TKO (punches) – Round 1, 3:07
• Piotr Hallmann def. Francisco Trinaldo via submission (kimura) – Round 2, 3:50
• Rafael Natal def. Tor Troeng via unanimous decision (30-27, 30-27, 29-28)
• Ali Bagautinov def. Marcos Vinicius via TKO (punches) – Round 3, 3:28
• Edimilson Souza def. Felipe Arantes via split decision (29-28, 28-29, 29-28)
• Lucas Martins def. Ramiro Hernandez via technical submission (rear-naked choke) – Round 1, 1:10
• Elias Silverio def. Joao Zeferino via unanimous decision (29-28, 30-27, 30-27)
• Ivan Jorge def. Keith Wisniewski via unanimous decision (29-28, 30-27, 29-28)
• Sean Spencer def. Yuri Villefort via split decision (30-27, 28-29, 29-28)

For complete coverage of UFC Fight Night 28, stay tuned to the UFC Events section of the site.

John Morgan contributed to this report on-site in Belo Horizonte.