Gabriel Benitez
Moggly
Mexico
Gets no help from judges in defeat
Benitez lost to Hayisaer Maheshate via split decision (28-29, 29-28, 28-29) at UFC on ESPN 55 on Saturday in Las Vegas.
ANALYSIS
Entering with losses in three of his past four bouts, Benitez badly needed a victory here. He may have very well deserved one, but two of the three judges disagreed. Gabriel more than held his own in what was a 15-minute kickboxing match. Neither man attempted a takedown, and Benitez closed with a 121-97 edge in terms of total strikes landed. It was a solid performance from Benitez as a +200 underdog, but that will be of little solace. Set to turn 36 years of age this coming June and with just a single victory dating back to December 2020, Benitez's roster spot would appear to be in jeopardy.
Entering with losses in three of his past four bouts, Benitez badly needed a victory here. He may have very well deserved one, but two of the three judges disagreed. Gabriel more than held his own in what was a 15-minute kickboxing match. Neither man attempted a takedown, and Benitez closed with a 121-97 edge in terms of total strikes landed. It was a solid performance from Benitez as a +200 underdog, but that will be of little solace. Set to turn 36 years of age this coming June and with just a single victory dating back to December 2020, Benitez's roster spot would appear to be in jeopardy.
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Filling in as replacement
Benitez will face off against Hayisaer Maheshate at a UFC event on Apr. 27, Marcel Dorff of Eurosport.nl reports.
ANALYSIS
Benitez will fill in against Maheshate after Anshul Jubli withdrew due to undisclosed reasons. The 35-year-old Mexican fighter, who is 1-3 in his last four fights, will have adequate time to prepare for his newly scheduled matchup.
Benitez will fill in against Maheshate after Anshul Jubli withdrew due to undisclosed reasons. The 35-year-old Mexican fighter, who is 1-3 in his last four fights, will have adequate time to prepare for his newly scheduled matchup.
Dominated by Jim Miller
Benitez lost to Jim Miller via submission (face crank) at 3:25 of Round 3 at UFC Fight Night on Saturday in Las Vegas.
ANALYSIS
It was another underwhelming performance from Benitez in what appeared to be a winnable fight. Facing a 40-year-old opponent that struggles in anything other than a prolonged grappling affair, Gabriel was consistently beaten to the punch in what was primarily a striking battle. Benitez found himself on the mat a bit in Round 2 and prior to the finish in Round 3, eventually tapping out to a face crank. Now 35 years of age, Benitez is 1-3 in his last four fights, and his only victory in that span is over Charlie Ontiveros, a fighter that was knocked out in each of his three UFC fights and subsequently released. Benitez could be the next one handed his walking papers.
It was another underwhelming performance from Benitez in what appeared to be a winnable fight. Facing a 40-year-old opponent that struggles in anything other than a prolonged grappling affair, Gabriel was consistently beaten to the punch in what was primarily a striking battle. Benitez found himself on the mat a bit in Round 2 and prior to the finish in Round 3, eventually tapping out to a face crank. Now 35 years of age, Benitez is 1-3 in his last four fights, and his only victory in that span is over Charlie Ontiveros, a fighter that was knocked out in each of his three UFC fights and subsequently released. Benitez could be the next one handed his walking papers.
Scheduled against A10 again
Benitez (undisclosed) will compete against Jim Miller in a lightweight fight at UFC Vegas 84 on Jan. 13, according to Marcel Dorff of Eurosport.nl.
ANALYSIS
Benitez will have sat out nearly a year due to the abrasion that caused his withdrawal from his scheduled fight with Miller at UFC Vegas 69. Miller instead fought Alexander Hernandez at the event and lost. But as always is the case with Miller, one should never count him out, as he earned a rematch with Benitez by knocking out Jesse Butler at UFC on ESPN 46.
Benitez will have sat out nearly a year due to the abrasion that caused his withdrawal from his scheduled fight with Miller at UFC Vegas 69. Miller instead fought Alexander Hernandez at the event and lost. But as always is the case with Miller, one should never count him out, as he earned a rematch with Benitez by knocking out Jesse Butler at UFC on ESPN 46.
No longer fighting Miller
Benitez will no longer be facing UFC veteran Jim Miller at the Feb. 18 event, as Alexander Hernandez has stepped in on short notice to replace him, Alex Behunin of Cageside Press reports.
ANALYSIS
The matchup between Benitez and Miller was reported all the way back in November, but with just over a week before the scheduled bout, CC Legaspi of ESPN Deportes reported that Benitez was off the card. In a follow-up tweet from Legaspi, it's noted that Benitez has a cut and is looking to recover and book a new fight in May.
The matchup between Benitez and Miller was reported all the way back in November, but with just over a week before the scheduled bout, CC Legaspi of ESPN Deportes reported that Benitez was off the card. In a follow-up tweet from Legaspi, it's noted that Benitez has a cut and is looking to recover and book a new fight in May.
Matched against Jim Miller
Benitez will face Jim Miller on Feb. 18, Carlos Contreras Legaspi of ESPN Deportes reports.
ANALYSIS
Benitez had been in a slump, losing four of his last five matches, before beating Charlie Ontiveros by first-round TKO in August. In Miller, he'll face a fighter with the most wins (24) in UFC history. Miller is riding a three-fight winning streak.
Benitez had been in a slump, losing four of his last five matches, before beating Charlie Ontiveros by first-round TKO in August. In Miller, he'll face a fighter with the most wins (24) in UFC history. Miller is riding a three-fight winning streak.