UFC Minneapolis live blog: Joseph Benavidez vs. Jussier Formiga 2

This is the UFC Minneapolis live blog for Joseph Benavidez vs. Jussier Formiga 2, a flyweight rematch at Saturday’s UFC event at Target Center in Minneapolis, Minnesota.

Benavidez, who has won two straight and eight of his last nine, faces Formiga, who has won four straight fights, in the co-main event.

This is a rematch of their Sept. 4, 2013, encounter at a UFC Fight Night event in Belo Horizonte, Brazil, that Benavidez won by first-round TKO.

Check out the UFC Minneapolis live blog below.

Round 1: Formiga darting in and out, Benavidez has taken the center of the Octagon. He rips Formiga with a couple of loud kicks to the body. A right hand lands for Benavidez. Formiga not afraid to fire back, but his punches are falling just short. Formiga sticks with the striking and actually opens up a cut around Benavidez’s left eye. More urgency from Benavidez now as he flurries and drives Formiga against the fence. Body kick by Formiga. Benavidez lands a leg kick but trips and Formiga takes his back. Benavidez attempts to roll out of it, but Formiga is all over him. They continue to scramble and Benavidez is able to get his legs under him and push Formiga against the fence once more. They separate, but neither man can connect as the round closes.

MMA Fighting scores the round 10-9, Formiga.

Round 2: Benavidez keeps feinting the left leg and Formiga answers by loading up a counter-right. Spinning back fist by Formiga misses. Benavidez the one darting in and out now as Formiga tries to walk him down. Leg kick scores for Benavidez. Formiga gets in deep on a shot, Benavidez tries to slip out but Formiga gets his back and turns it into a slam. Benavidez extremely quick to scramble and turn into Formiga’s guard. Head-and-arm choke from the bottom by Formiga is broken up quickly. Benavidez working from half guard. Benavidez slips off of another kick. He slips a few Formiga punches to land a thudding leg kick. Benavidez coming forward. They trade hooks. Benavidez lands had to the body and to the side of Formiga’s head. A huge head kick has Formiga hurt. Benavidez smells blood and he unloads with about 20 seconds left in the round. Formiga just drops to his knees and the referee has to call it off.

Official result: Joseph Benavidez def. Jussier Formiga via TKO (punches) at 4:47 of round two.