Joseph Rolando Benavidez or famously known as Joseph Benavidez is an American Mixed Martial Artist fighter who currently fights America MMA Promotion, Ultimate Fighting Championship. He currently competes in the Flyweight division.
Besides UFC, he has fought several promotions like Japanese MMA promotion, Dream as well as American MMA promotion, World Extreme Cagefighting.
Joseph Benavidez is an American by nationality with a Mexican ethnic background. He was born on July 31, 1984, in San Antonio, Texas, United States of America.
He did his schooling from Las Cruces High School where he first received his training boxing and kickboxing.
Benavidez began to train wrestling at the very tender age.
His net worth is estimated at over $ 2 .5 million which earns solely from fights at UFC and his total net worth for 2014 and 2015 season was reported to be $1,891,346 and $ 2,458,750 respectively.
Benavidez has made the total UFC career earnings of $831,000. He last had a bought at TUF: Tournament of Champions Finale against Henry Cejudo. He won the match via split decision and received $160,000.
He defeated Zach Makovsky at the UFC Fight Night 82 and received $133,000 including show, win bonus and Reebok sponsorship. He received the huge paycheck of $134,000 after defeating Tim Elliot at UFC 172.
In addition, he has received a considerable amount from his appearances in other UFC events.
Before starting his career at MMA, he worked as a screen printer in New Mexico, he fought for several MMA promotion before he joined the Japanese promotion, Dream in the summer of 2008.
He was scheduled to take on Norifumi Yamamoto but it was canceled bout but instead took on Junya Kodo on Dream 5.
Benavidez defeated him via guillotine choke hold and later on signed with US promotion World Extreme Cagefighting in 2008.
He had a bout against Danny Martinez at WEC 37and won via unanimous decision.
Benavidez later fought against star Brazilian jiu-jitsu Rani Yahya at WEC 45 on December 9, 2009, and got victory through KO in the first round. He faced Dominick Cruz for WEC Bantamweight Championship at WEC 50 on August 18, 2010, and lost via split decision.
After World Extreme Cagefighting got merged with UFC in 2010, he made his debut against Ian Loveland at UFC 128 on March 19, 2011, and won through a unanimous decision.
He faced Yasuhiro Urushitani on UFC FX2 and won through a TKO in the second round and enabling both of the competitors to win Knockout of the Night honors.
Benavidez was expected to face off against Ben Nguyen at UFC Night 110 on 11 June 2017 and instead face off against Tim Elliot with Ben Nguyen suffering a knee injury.
He is scheduled to take on Sergio Pettis at UFC 225 on June 9, 2018.
Read More.Megan Olivi
He is married to his wife, Megan Olivi who is a host as well as the reporter who works under Fox Sports and also is the reporter in UFC.
Benavidez met Megan for the first time in the summer of 2009 in Las Vegas and the couple started their relationship in 2010. They later got engaged in 2014. According to reports, he proposed to her in front of his friends and family.
The couple got married on October 9, 2015, in a resort called JW Marriott Las Vagas Resort and Spa.
Benavidez stands at the height of 5 ft. and 4 inches and weighs 57 kg.
Read More.Cody Garbrandt Tested Positive for COVID-19; UFC 255 Flyweight title fight in Jeopardy
