Joseph Benavidez remains patient, hints that title shot may not be next

WEC bantamweight contender, Joseph Benavidez has been speaking about the possibility of facing newly crowned champion, Dominick Cruz for his title next time out, but according to the Team Alpha Male fighter things may not be that straight forward.

Speaking via MMAJunkie.com, Benavidez said:

“I haven't heard much. I heard a few things about maybe an immediate rematch (for Bowles). ... I don't know who else there would be. I think most people just expected it (Cruz vs. Benavidez) to happen since we were co-main-events.”

“I definitely think I'm the No. 1 contender. I'm here to fight, and of course, I want a title shot and avenage a loss. But patience is one of the best traits I have. If I don't get a title shot, it's for a reason. If I do, it's for a reason. By the end of my career, I truly believe I'll be a champion. .... If it it doesn't happen (right away), I wouldn't be too disappointed, but I'd definitely like the chance.”

When asked whether he would bide his time and take another fight while someone else stepped up against Cruz, Benavidez said:

“That's a hard one because I've done that before. It's just a hard situation. I guess it depends on what's going in my life. ... I don't know. I did that after Curran, and I kind of blew it. I wouldn't want the same thing to happen again if I took another fight. I feel like I can beat anyone, but again, it's a tough division with a lot of great guys, and there are no easy fights. I'd have to think about it. It'd be a risk.”

Benavidez secured his spot at the top of the tree with an impressive upset win over former champion, Miguel Torres, a fight that ended in the second round due to a guillotine choke. Stay tuned to MMABay in the coming weeks to find out whether Benavidez gets his shot or is forced to wait it out.

By Michael Pepper. (Follow me on Twitter)

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

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