Can Joseph Benavidez become Team Alpha Male’s first UFC champion? | Photo: Dave Mandel/Sherdog.com
The world’s top fighters at 125 pounds are poised to duke it out for a second time.
Since outdueling Benavidez, Johnson has successfully defended his championship twice, outdueling “The Ultimate Fighter” Season 14 winner John Dodson in January before submitting John Moraga with a fifth-round armbar six months later. Benavidez, meanwhile, has rebounded from his defeat to “Mighty Mouse” with victories over Ian McCall, Darren Uyenoyama and Jussier da Silva.
Sherdog.com touched base with a number of professional fighters and trainers to gauge their opinions on the UFC on Fox 9 headliner:
Brock Jardine: They are definitely the best two flyweights in the world. I really enjoy watching these guys fight. I think Team Alpha Male will have its first UFC champ. I think Benavidez has the power to finish the fight. He wins by TKO in the second round.
Brian Melancon: I got Benavidez getting redemption in this one.
Nick Ring: Johnson wins.
T.J. Waldburger: I give it to “Mighty Mouse” with a submission. That’s going to be an exciting fight.
James Vick: I got “Mighty Mouse” by unanimous decision.
Tom DeBlass: I honestly could not pick a winner. I’m sure it will be exciting, though.
Mike Ciesnolevicz: I am not overly interested in this weight class, but I will take Johnson by decision. I think he is just a little bit better everywhere than Benavidez and should be able to win most of the scrambles.
Photo: D. Mandel/Sherdog.com
Johnson has never lost at 125 pounds.
Ricardo Liborio: This will be an awesome fight again. Benavidez is getting the win this time.
Joe Duarte: Johnson wins by decision.
J.J. Ambrose: Benavidez wins with his signature guillotine in round three.
Jeff Hougland: These guys have both proven time after time that they truly are the two best flyweights in the world. I’m going to root for my fellow Washingtonian, but I think Benavidez is going to probably submit or TKO Johnson and become the new champ; but hey, what the hell do I know? I’m just going to kick back, crack open a cold one and enjoy the show.
Ray Elbe: What a fight. Working with the wizard Matt Hume, I’m sure Johnson will be ready to defend his championship belt. My prediction is “Might Mouse” by decision.
Bristol Marunde: “Mighty Mouse” is beginning to achieve the champion status of “When will he lose?” Benavidez, although highly skilled, may fall short yet again.
Igor Araujo: Crazy fight. I have Johnson by decision after a war.
Travis Wiuff: Johnson wins by decision.
Nam Phan: Benavidez all the way.
Kyle Kingsbury: Benavidez has been flawless. He gets the decision.
John Gunderson: I’m going with Benavidez. I’ve trained with the guy before, and he has nasty power for that weight class. I thought he would take it the first time, and I still think he can take out “Mighty Mouse.”
Eric Prindle: Benavidez wins by decision.
Colton Smith: The boys at Team Alpha Male are on a roll. This shouldn’t change, as Benavidez outworks the champ en route to a five-round decision victory.
Javier Vazquez: Interesting fight. Both fighters have improved, and the X-factor is the coaching of Duane Ludwig. Benavidez was so close in the last fight, and I think he may have made the necessary adjustments to become the first UFC champion for Team Alpha Male. Benavidez wins by split decision.
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THE FINAL TALLY
Pros Picking Benavidez: 11Pros Picking Johnson: 9
No Pick: 1
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