Gabriel Benitez, a seasoned mixed martial artist, has made a name for himself through 33 professional fights. Hailing from Tijuana, Mexico, he’s shown his prowess in both the featherweight and lightweight divisions of the Ultimate Fighting Championship. This Saturday, he’ll face off against Jim Miller in a featured UFC Fight Night 234 attraction at the UFC Apex in Las Vegas. This will be his first fight since he defeated Charlie Ontiveros with first-round punches in August 2022.
As Benitez gears up for his first Octagon appearance in 17 months, here are some lesser-known facts about him.
Firstly, he was a quick study in mixed martial arts. Growing up, Benitez dabbled in soccer and other sports, but never really felt a connection. However, when he started training MMA at 18, he realized he’d found his calling. He felt a magnetic pull towards the sport and hasn’t looked back since.
Secondly, concern for his health influenced his decision to pursue MMA. He chose MMA over boxing due to the reduced risk of brain damage. This decision aligns with the consensus within the combat sports community that MMA’s multidimensional nature distributes impact more evenly across the body, reducing the concentrated blows to the head associated with sports like boxing.
Benitez’s successful journey in MMA spans multiple promotions. He’s captured the featherweight championships in the Ultimate Warrior Challenge, Xtreme Kombat, Xtreme Fighters Latino, and Xplode Fight Series organizations. His victories against Antonio Ramirez, Daniel Salas, and Ryan Bixler exemplify the trajectory of a seasoned MMA warrior.
Benitez is associated with proven winners. He trains with the renowned American Kickboxing Academy, known for producing elite fighters like Cain Velasquez, Daniel Cormier, Luke Rockhold, and Khabib Nurmagomedov. This affiliation highlights the high standard of training and the elite level of talent that surrounds Benitez in every training session.
Lastly, Benitez remains a kid at heart. He spent time playing soccer and video games while growing up before discovering his true passion for MMA. Leading up to his clash against Yusuff at UFC 241, Benitez was spotted carrying around a Nintendo Switch. This serves as a way to divert his mind and shows that he’s still a gamer at heart.