Joseph Benavidez vs. Ian McCall

February 2nd, 2013 10:36pm by Stiff Jab Tumblr

by Dr. Octagon, J.D.

125 pounders here. It’s the first fight of the night and the winner will probably get a title shot, because there really aren’t a lot of flyweights out there.

Ian McCall is the bigger small guy tonight, but he isn’t always focused. He had a draw against Demetrious Johnson where the cards were misread, so he didn’t get to go to the fourth round (this was a tournament, so there was supposed to be a fourth round), then lost in the rematch.

Joseph Benavidez pretty much does nothing but MMA; he trains with Urijah Faber and Team Alpha Male. Benavidez lost a split decision to the current champ. I don’t know why Dana hasn’t announced that the winner of this fight is going to get a title shot. Live updates after the jump:[[MORE]]

Round 1- Leg kicks by both. Leg kick by Ian. Leg kick by Joe. Ian shoots, but Benavidez stuffs it and lands an elbow. Big left from Ian. Ian throws a kick to the body. Nutshot by Benavidez, but McCall says he’s fine. Leg kick checked by Ian. Both fighters land a pair of punches and Ian is smiling. Looks like he got hurt. Nutshot by Benavidez again. McCall is back. Leg kick by McCall. Benavidez whiffs on a leg kick. Benavidez lands a big right. Big left from Benavidez. Benavidez clipped McCall again and then landed a kick to the body. Jab by Benavidez. McCall keeps smiling at him. McCall takes another nutshot and fights through it. If McCall faked it when he got hit, he might have a point deducted by now. McCall’s leg is looking red. McCall lands a nice kick to the body. Big elbow by McCall. Left by McCall. Benavidez lands a jab. Uncle Creepy lands a left hand. Benavidez is bleeding. Benavidez shoots and it’s stuffed.

Round 2- Benavidez is killing the lead leg. Right hook by Benavidez. Right by McCall. Left by McCall. Kick by McCall. Benavidez with a right hook. both fighters whiff. Benavidez lands. McCall smiles. McCall whiffs. Benavidez pushes McCall against the cage. McCall lands a left to the ear and the body. Benavidez lands a counterpunch. Right by McCall. Left by Benavidez. Benavidez shoots and McCall gets on top of him and lans hammerfists. One minute left. McCall mounts Benavidez and has his back. Hammerfists. Benavidez gets up. Knee to the head from McCall from behind Benavidez.

Round 3- benavidez lands a big punch and McCall smiles. McCall shoves Benavidez against the fence and looks for a trip. Kick to the body from Benavidez. McCall returns fire. Right by Benavidez. both fighters kick. McCall slips and Benavidez pushes McCall against the cage. Leg kick by Benavidez. Leg kick by McCall. Benavidez lands. Kick to the body by Benavidez. Benavidez lands a left. McCall gets the takedown and Benavidez is able to get back up. Exchange of leg kicks. Big body kick by Benavidez. two minutes left. McCall needs to work. He’;s losing this fight. McCall lands a left. Both fighters land leg kicks. Benavidez is coming forward still. McCall looks tired. One minute left and McCall is losing this if he doesn’t do anything else and doesn’t seem to be too concerned. I don’t even know if McCall won the second for sure. That was a close round. Benavidez took the first for certain. Kick to the body by Benavidez. McCall is out of gas I guess.

29-28 Benavidez unanimously. Crystal clear. McCall looks surprised he lost.