UFC
Joseph Benavidez says he'll feel "unfulfilled" in his MMA career if he can't capture UFC Title
Nov 19, 2014 - 4:30:45 PM Joseph Benavidez says he'll feel "unfulfilled" in his MMA career if he can't capture UFC Title

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By: Jamie Penick, MMATorch Editor-in-Chief

Joseph Benavidez is one of the best flyweight fighters in the world, but when it comes to taking that top spot, he's found himself incapable of getting over the hump.

Benavidez, who fights Dustin Ortiz this weekend at UFC Fight Night 57, has lost twice now to Demetrious "Mighty Mouse" Johnson in title fights in the UFC. Despite that, Benavidez has shown himself to be above the rest of the field. However, while he's happy with the successes he's had, he said this week he'll feel unfulfilled in his career if he can never capture the title.

"I'll always be happy in the other things I've done and accomplished, so I'll be happy. I'll be unfulfilled because I know that I didn't reach my goal and I didn't do what I was really capable of. So there's definitely that," he said in an interview with MMAJunkie.com. "But I know the way I am, and it's not something that would eat at me, even though it does while I'm in it. [I'm beginning] to see there's other things in life, and I can't do this forever. Like after that, I want to have a family and people that love me and do other stuff. I wouldn't let it affect me and my kids and be one of those crazy coaching dads or dancing moms.

"But there would definitely be a sense of un-fulfillment because I don't think I'm delusional. I don't know if other people are. There are some fighters that think, 'I'm never going to be world champion, but this is awesome that I'm fighting professionally in the UFC.' For me, I know I'm one of the best, and I was capable of that and didn't do it. That would really be the disappointing part, I think."

Penick's Analysis: Benavidez is running fairly parallel to his teammate and friend Urijah Faber, with the difference being he doesn't have the past title win under him. It's entirely possible he gets another opportunity opposite Johnson, and he's certainly capable of competing with Mighty Mouse, but actually winning the title is something that could simply wind up out of his reach. It would be disappointing for him and those fans invested in his career, but if he can't find a way to beat Johnson, that's just where he'll be.