Ali Bagautinov made his return to the UFC following a 1 year suspension for EPO use, and was drawn against two-time flyweight title challenger Joseph Benavidez at UFC 192. Benavidez has held firm as one of the top 2-3 flyweights since the division was formed in the UFC in 2012, but Bagautinov came in looking for an upset.
Benavidez cracked Bagautinov with a hard right hand inside 30 seconds. Bagautinov frequently switched stances. Ali’s right eye started swelling following the early right landed by Joseph. Benavidez was more aggressive in the first half of round 1. Bagautinov’s first major strike was a solid right uppercut off a break. A right connected for Bagautinov as Benavidez’s hands dropped. Benavidez missed on two high kicks. A cut opened up on the right eye of Benavidez and was bleeding profusely.
Two kicks backed Bagautinov up and then seconds later Ali kicked Benavidez in the lead leg. Benavidez scored with a thudding body kick on the left side. There wasn’t much landing from either man, and when it was it was Benavidez doing more of the pressing. Benavidez fended off a single leg takedown as Bagautinov threw two punches on the exit. Ali timed Benavidez’s kick perfectly to get him on the mat. Then when they scrambled back up he took him down but Benavidez got back to his feet to end the round.
Bagautinov started round 3 strongly with a sharp right and then a left behind it. He was the more accurate fighter in another exchange right after that. Benavidez had a kick caught but Bagautinov could only briefly push him off. Quality knee by Benavidez in the clinch tagged Bagautinov. The crowd booed what they perceived to be a lack of action. They both landed right hands with just before 1 minute to go. Bagautinov scored a takedown only for Benavidez to hop back up and then land a right hand on the break. Benavidez ended the round landing several strikes. Really close fight all the way.
Official result: Joseph Benavidez (22-4) def. Ali Bagautinov (13-4) via unanimous decision (30-27, 30-27, 29-28)