Joseph Benavidez Discusses His Upcoming UFC on ESPN+ 1 Bout Against Dustin ortiz

Speaking to reporters in a media scrum ahead of UFC on ESPN+ 1 (via MMAjunkie), UFC flyweight fighter Joseph Benavidez discussed his upcoming fight with Dustin Ortiz. Originally, Benavidez was going to fight Deiveson Figueiredo, but Figueiredo apparently changed his mind on the match-up several times.

Benavidez on how Deiveson Figueiredo changed his mind three times about their fight: “It was a really chaotic roller coaster. He actually changed his mind three times in an hour. I was in one workout, and they called me and said, ‘Figueiredo doesn’t want to fight because it’s a week earlier, but you’re going to be a backup.’ I was like, ‘Oh, that’s super motivating in my workout right now.’ But I’m just like, whatever.”

Joseph Benavidez on the fight changing multiple times: Literally 15 minutes later, they call, and (the UFC matchmaker says), ‘Oh, nevermind. It’s on. He thought it would be bad, but it’s a good opportunity, so he’s back on.’ So I’m like, that’s amazing. Motivated again. And then by the end of my workout, I got another call that he’s out. So I’m talking to people about my fight, but it’s changing the story every time. They’re like, ‘Oh, so Figueiredo?’ I’d be like, ‘What did I tell you last?’”