Joseph Benavidez isn’t known for being a big trash talker and blasting his opponent. But, as he gets set to face Deiveson Figueiredo for the second time, the renowned fighter’s made it clear he’s not a fan of his opponent.

Benavidez “definitely” doesn’t like Figueiredo

The flyweights are set to battle in the headliner of the UFC’s latest ‘Fight Island’ card today, which is taking place in Abu Dhabi. It marks the second time they’ve fought, as in February, Figueiredo stopped the perennial contender in round two.

That bout, like today’s, was supposed to crown the UFC’s new flyweight champ. But, because Figueiredo missed weight, he was ineligible to win the title.

So, due to that, and because an accidental headbutt rocked Benavidez shortly before Figueiredo finished him with strikes, a do-over was booked.

Well, leading up to their first fight, the two didn’t seem to have any issues. But, recently Benavidez reported that he doesn’t care for his dangerous opponent and the way he carries himself (quotes via MMA Fighting).

“…Just the fact that he’s kind of like a villain to everybody I think. I don’t like him. That is rare for me. It’s not personal cause I don’t really know him, know him personally and everything. I definitely don’t like him.

“It definitely makes you want to go out there and hurt someone worse because when you fight, you win … you hurt him by proxy winning an MMA fight.

You kind of have to. It’s one of those things where I want to put this guy away. I want to shut him up. I just don’t like him and that rarely happens in my career.”

“The only people I haven’t liked and felt like I wanted to do that, the same similar way that I could compare was Miguel Torres back in the WEC. Ruined him,” Benavidez explained.

Then Henry Cejudo, beat him, [that] was his last loss. It was a great fight as well.”

So, it will be interesting to see how Benavidez comes out in today’s bout, considering these comments. Might we see an even more aggressive version?

That aside, this is a huge fight for Benavidez. Not only because the title’s on the line, but at the age of 35, it might be his last chance to secure UFC gold.

UFC Fight Island 2 line-up

Here is the line-up for today’s card.

ESPN/ESPN+ MAIN CARD, 8PM/5PM ETPT

Deiveson Figueiredo vs. Joseph Benavidez
Kelvin Gastelum vs. Jack Hermansson
Marc Diakiese vs. Rafael Fiziev
Luana Carolina vs. Ariane Lipski
Askar Askarov vs. Alexandre Pantoja

ESPN/ESPN+ PRELIMS, 5PM/2PM ETPT

Roman Dolidze vs. Khadis Ibragimov
Grant Dawson vs. Nad Narimani
Joel Alvarez vs. Joe Duffy
Montel Jackson vs. Brett Johns
Malcolm Gordon vs. Amir Albazi
Davi Ramos vs. Arman Tsarukyan
Carlos Felipe vs. Serghei Spivac

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