Joseph Benavidez: UFC Norfolk loss will probably hurt ‘forever’

Joseph Benavidez is going to be thinking about his loss to Deiveson Figueiredo for a while.

Saturday’s UFC Norfolk show saw Benavidez (28-6) go for his third attempt at winning a UFC championship and he again fell short, losing by second-round TKO to Figueiredo. Making matters worse, because Figueiredo missed weight, only Benavidez was eligible to capture the vacant championship and the result leaves the 125-pound division in limbo.

Shortly after the loss, Benavidez wrote a brief message addressing the loss in which he quoted the hip-hop group OutKast. On Tuesday, he followed up with a longer post on social media in which he provided more detailed post-fight musings.

“I’m good (definitely been worse) and even though I set out to achieve greatness, good has to be okay for now,” Benavidez wrote. “S*it hurts and probably will forever but I chose this and choose to take these risks.”

Prior to Saturday, Benavidez, 35, had only been finished by strikes once, a first-round knockout at the hands of Demetrious Johnson in their second championship fight in December 2013. The loss to Figueiredo dropped Benavidez to 0-3 in UFC title opportunities.

Read Benavidez’s full message below:

Now that the dust has settled...

Appreciate everyone’s love and support. I’m good (definitely been worse) and even though I set out to achieve greatness, good has to be ok for now.

S*it hurts and probably will forever but I chose this and choose to take these risks. A lot of people have to face a lot worse issues with no choice to be had.

It can’t always be attained but being able to chase greatness is a choice I’m lucky to have ... at the end of the day I have what I need and will continue to work for what I want. Love you guys