Joseph Benavidez found himself in a more competitive fight with Jussier Formiga in their rematch tonight at UFC On ESPN 3, but he was still the better fighter and a head kick late in the second round paved the way or a TKO stoppage due to punches soon afterwards.
Missed leg kick for Benavidez to start. Nice counter right from Benavidez as Formiga presses forward looking to land. Big body kick from Benavidez and then shortly afterwards another one connects. Overhand right for Benavidez now. Left hook for Benavidez but then a counter left for Formiga. Leg kick for Benavidez. Sort right hook. Spinning back kick from Formiga misses. Nice right hand counter for Formiga. Low leg kick for Benavidez. Cuffing right hand now. Benavidez has a cut to his left eye and he’s wiping at it as they fight. Punches for Benavidez as he closes the distance and presses Formiga up against the cage. Again Benavidez wipes at his eye. Body kick for Formiga. Formiga manages to work for a takedown. There’s some terrific scrambling action now and it ends up with Benavidez back upright and pressing Formiga into the cage. Formiga trying a speculative guillotine attempt that doesn’t pay off. They go back to striking range in the final seconds of the round without much landing. Body kick for Benavidez. left hook from Formiga is blocked. Another body kick for Benavidez. He moves in or a potential body clinch, but then backs off it. Left hand for Benavidez. Leg kick lands. Again the left hand for Benavidez. Formiga looking for a takedown and lands it powerfully, but Benavidez shows tremendous scrambling again to end up turning and getting on top. Benavidez moving into half guard now. Formiga does well to get his back to the cage and use it to stand up. Body kick for Benavidez, but slips in the process. Back up. Calf kick for Benavidez. Benavidez lands punches and a leg kick. Benavidez clinches up and lands a good knee to the body. Exchange of punches at close range and Benavidez got the better of it. Outside leg kick for Benavidez. Body punches from Benavidez. He tries for a head kick and lands it hard, but falls back afterwards. However, he knows Formiga was hurt by that and gets up and goes straight on the offensive again, landing a series of left and right hands that forces Formiga to cover up and then fall to the mat, leading to the TKO stoppage with only 13 seconds of the round remaining.Round Two:
