Johnson (photo via FUEL.TV / UFC/ ZUFFA)

By FCF Staff

Considering their abilities and how competitive their first meeting was, it’s not surprising that Demetrious Johnson and Joseph Benavidez have been booked to fight again at UFC on FOX 9, Saturday. In their first meeting last September at UFC 152, Johnson defeated Benavidez by split decision to become flyweight champ.

Since then, Johnson has defended the title twice by defeating John Dodson and John Moraga. Benavidez, meanwhile, has locked up a rematch with the champion by scoring wins over Darren Uyenoyama, Ian McCall and Jussier da Silva.

The extremely athletic and well rounded fighters appeared on the latest edition of FOX Sports 1’s “UFC Tonight”, and offered these insights about their rematch.

UFC flyweight champion Demetrious Johnson on if he plans to finish Benavidez: “The plan is always to finish my opponents. But if you look at the last five guys I’ve fought, none had ever been finished before.”

Johnson on his motivation in this fight: “It’s to retain the title and to get the recognition to be the best of the world.”

Johnson on if he’s a more technical fighter than Benavidez:“Absolutely. I throw technical punches, from the cage straight down the middle. That’s how my body functions correctly.”

Benavidez on what’s different in the rematch against Johnson:“I feel good and I’m happy. I know I’m going to go out there and fight good. Last time, I couldn’t fight what was right in front of me, I was so obsessed with the title and the result. I tried too hard. This time I’m really relaxed and calm. I’ve changed mentally, physically and technically as a fighter with Duane Ludwig coming in.”

Benavidez on if the key is to find the big shot: “He’s really fast. You have to be really well rounded to fight him. I can’t just go out there and try to knock him out. He’s been rocked in his last fights. I’m prepared for the fight to go anywhere. There are just small, little things that we have to change from the first fight. If the knockout is there, I’ll take it.”

UFC on FOX 9 will be hosted by the Sleep Train Arena in Sacramento, California.