Gabriel Benítez


Gabriel Benítez is a Mexican mixed martial artist. He was a contestant on The Ultimate Fighter: Latin America 1, and competed in the Featherweight and Lightweight divisions of the Ultimate Fighting Championship.

Background

Benítez was born in Tijuana, Mexico and started training in mixed martial arts when he was 18 years old.

Mixed martial arts career

Early career

Benítez started his professional MMA career in 2007, making his debut in his home country Mexico and he amassed a record of 16–4 prior to signing with the UFC.

The Ultimate Fighter: Latin America 1

Benítez was selected as one of the cast members for The Ultimate Fighter: Latin America 1, UFC The Ultimate Fighter TV series, under Team Cain Velasquez in April 2014.
In elimination round, Benítez submitted Diego Rivas via rear-naked choke in round 2. Benítez next faced Leonardo Morales in the semifinals and he lost by unanimous decision.

Ultimate Fighting Championship

Benítez made his promotional debut on November 15, 2014, at UFC 180 against Humberto Brown. He won the first UFC win via guillotine choke in round 3.
He next faced Clay Collard on June 13, 2015, at UFC 188. He won via unanimous decision with 30-27 across the board
On his third appearance for UFC fight, Benítez took on Andre Fili on November 21, 2015, at UFC Fight Night: Magny vs. Gastelum. He lost the fight via KO in round one.
On September 17, 2016, Benítez face Sam Sicilia at UFC Fight Night: Poirier vs. Johnson. He defeated Sicilia via guillotine choke in round two.
Benítez faced Enrique Barzola, the featherweight champion of “The Ultimate Fighter: Latin America 2, on May 13, 2017, at UFC 211. After three rounds fight, the judges awarded the win to Barzola with 29-28 across the score board.
Benítez faced Jason Knight on December 9, 2017, at UFC Fight Night 123. He won the fight via unanimous decision.
Benítez faced Humberto Bandenay on May 19, 2018, at UFC Fight Night 129. He won the fight via knockout due to a slam and punches just 39 seconds into the first round. This win earned him the Performance of the Night bonus.
Benítez faced Sodiq Yusuff on August 17, 2019, at UFC 241. He lost the fight via knockout in round one.
Benítez was expected to face Lerone Murphy on March 21, 2020, at UFC Fight Night: Woodley vs. Edwards. Due to the COVID-19 pandemic, the event was eventually postponed.
Benítez faced Omar Morales on May 13, 2020, at UFC Fight Night: Smith vs. Teixeira. He lost the fight via unanimous decision.
Benítez was scheduled to face Justin Jaynes on November 14, 2020, at UFC Fight Night: Felder vs. dos Anjos. The fight was canceled after Benítez tested positive for COVID-19. The pairing was left intact and eventually took place on December 5, 2020, at UFC on ESPN 19. He won the fight via technical knockout in the first round. This fight earned him the Performance of the Night award.
Benítez was scheduled to face Jonathan Pearce on May 1, 2021, at UFC on ESPN 23. However, weighing in over 4 pounds during weigh-in, the bout was cancelled.
Benítez faced Billy Quarantillo, replacing Herbert Burns on July 17, 2021, at UFC on ESPN 26. He lost the fight via technical knockout in round three. This win earned him the Fight of the Night award.
Benítez was scheduled to face T.J. Brown on January 15, 2022, at UFC on ESPN 32. Three days before the event, Benítez was forced to pull out and Charles Rosa replaced him with the bout now taking place at Lightweight.
Benítez faced David Onama on February 19, 2022, at UFC Fight Night: Walker vs. Hill. At weigh-ins, Benítez weighed in at 148 pounds, 2 pounds over the featherweight non-title fight limit. The bout proceeded at catchweight and he was fined 30% of his purse. Benítez lost the bout via first round knockout.
Benítez faced Charlie Ontiveros on August 13, 2022, at UFC on ESPN 41. He won the fight via technical knockout in round one.
Benítez was scheduled to face Jim Miller on February 18, 2023, at UFC Fight Night 219. However, Benítez withdrew due to an undisclosed reason and was replaced by Alexander Hernandez.
Benítez faced Jim Miller on January 13, 2024, at UFC Fight Night 234. He lost by face crank submission in the third round.
Benítez faced Maheshate Hayisaer, replacing Anshul Jubli on April 27, 2024, at UFC on ESPN 55. He lost the fight by split decision.
On December 13, 2024, it was reported that Benítez was removed from the UFC roster.

Championships and accomplishments

Mixed martial arts

  • Ultimate Fighting Championship
  • *Performance of the Night vs. Humberto Bandenay and Justin Jaynes
  • *Fight of the Night
  • *UFC.com Awards
  • **2017: Ranked #6 Upset of the Year
  • Ultimate Warrior Challenge Mexico
  • * UWC Featherweight Champion
  • Xtreme Kombat
  • * Xtreme Kombat Featherweight Champion vs. Antonio Ramirez
  • Xtreme Fighters Latino
  • * Xtreme Fighters Latino Featherweight Champion vs. Daniel Salas
  • Xplode Fight Series
  • * Xplode Fight Series Featherweight Champion vs. Ryan Bixler

    Mixed martial arts record