UFC
Joseph Benavidez vs. Eddie Wineland booked for UFC on Versus 5 in Milwaukee
May 24, 2011 - 11:30:19 PM Joseph Benavidez vs. Eddie Wineland booked for UFC on Versus 5 in Milwaukee

DISCUSS ALL THIS IN OUR NEW MMATORCH FORUM

...OH, ONE MORE THING - PLEASE BOOKMARK US & VISIT DAILY!

By: Jamie Penick, MMATorch Editor-in-Chief

The UFC has announced another bantamweight fight for this summer, as former WEC Bantamweight Title challenger Joseph Benavidez will meet Eddie Wineland at UFC on Versus 5.

The 14-2 Benavidez has only lost to one man in his career, UFC Bantamweight Champion Dominick Cruz. After his first decision loss to Cruz, he won two straight fights to earn a title shot after Cruz captured the belt from Brian Bowles. In a hotly contested fight, Benavidez was ultimately defeated by split decision, but he's since won two straight fights again.

Most recently, he defeated Ian loveland in his UFC debut in March, earning a unanimous decision at UFC 128 in March.

Wineland also made his UFC debut on that UFC 128 card, taking former WEC Featherweight Champion - and Benavidez's teammate - Urijah Faber the distance in the night's co-main event. The decision loss snapped a four fight winning streak for Wineland.

UFC on Versus 5 takes place from the Bradley Center in Milwaukee, Wisc., the UFC's first trip to the state.

Penick's Analysis: Benavidez is in a bad spot in the bantamweight division in the UFC, and until the UFC brings in the flyweight division he'll continue to be relegated to relative anonymity on these cards. He's lost to the current champion twice, and he won't fight Faber, so the UFC isn't going to be in a rush to feature him on cards right now. Wineland benefited from fighting Faber as far as his placement went at UFC 128, and while this isn't any easier of a fight, because of Benavidez's situation Wineland isn't going to get a better spot on this card. This is an excellent fight in the division, though, so it should be a lot of fun for the fans in Milwaukee.