An important flyweight tilt has been added to the UFC's Super Bowl weekend pay-per-view in Las Vegas. As was first reported by the Las Vegas Review-Journal, two-time 125 lbs title challenger Joseph Benavidez will take on #8 ranked Zach Makovsky on Saturday, February 6th at UFC 196. There's no word yet on whether or not this bout will take place on the main or preliminary card.
Benavidez (23-4) is undefeated against everyone not named Demetrious Johnson or Dominick Cruz. The Team Alpha Male product has won 4 straight after his knockout loss to Mighty Mouse in their flyweight title rematch in 2013. Benavidez submitted Tim Elliott to start off his winning streak, but has gone the distance with his last 3 opponents - Dustin Ortiz, John Moraga, and Ali Bagautinov.
Makovsky (19-6) started off strongly in his UFC career, winning back-to-back bouts vs. Scott Jorgensen and Josh Sampo. "Fun Size" title shot ambitions took a hit after he lost a unanimous decision to Jussier Formiga. The former Bellator bantamweight and RFA flyweight champion bounced back with a win over Tim Elliott, but then lost a close decision to John Dodson at UFC 187 last May.
The UFC 196 main event is a heavyweight championship rematch between Fabricio Werdum and Cain Velasquez, only this time Werdum is the undisputed champion. Tickets for this event go on sale tomorrow.