Joseph Benavidez and Henry Cejudo were announced Wednesday night as the next coaches for The Ultimate Fighter, as the two will lead 16 flyweights over several weeks of the program.
Benavidez and Cejudo will meet in December to culminate the series in the co-main event of The Ultimate Fighter 24 Finale, as Demetrious Johnson defends his title against the tourney winner.
For Benavidez (24-4), the chance moves him one step closer to a third shot at the belt. He has won five straight since a 2013 knockout loss to “Mighty Mouse.”
While much has been made of the “feud” between Benavidez and Cejudo, the former two-time title contender isn’t thinking about that.
“It’s not like we’re going to dinner or bowling,” he said, during an appearance on UFC Tonight. “We’ll see each other in the gym, in a competitive nature and build up to the fight.
“This fight is a long time coming for me. I’ll be ready to wrap it and get to the fight.”
And despite the two prior losses to Johnson, Benavidez says that he can be defeated.
“From my perspective he’s beatable,” he said. “You have to argue he’s one of the best ever. I’ve been in there with some of the best and he’s up there. His ability and the way he executes.”
