Joseph Benavidez (photo via UFC.com)

By FCF Staff

After coming up short in his latest title fight, with his 36th birthday right around the corner, Joseph Benavidez isn’t ready to retire yet.

Benavidez faced Deiveson Figueiredo (19-1) in the headliner of UFC Fight Island 2 on Saturday, in a contest to crown the promotion’s flyweight champ. Benavidez (28-7) was dropped several times in the opening round, and was choked unconscious late in the first round.

While talking to the media after the bout Benavidez made it clear he’s not hanging up the gloves (quotes via MMA Junkie).

“I knew last fight was my last title attempt,” Benavidez said, who has gone 0-5 in title fights. “It wasn’t because of circumstances so this one certainly was. I wasn’t fighting in this sport from the beginning for any other reason than being the best. I’ve been close. I’ve been lucky. I’ve been in that top two or three for 11 years at two weight classes. It’s been a crazy journey. It’s been awesome.”

“I’m not going out like that and nothing is guaranteed in this sport for sure, but I’m not going to get another title shot,” Benavidez said. “I don’t want to go out on that, so I just want to go out with another fight. After that, there’s nothing else for me to do. I’m not going to beat 10 guys again. I know that was my last title shot but like I just said don’t want to go out on that.”

Benavidez fought Figueiredo in February and was knocked out in round. But, because Figueiredo did not make weight for the fight he was ineligible to win the title.