Benavidez dislikes 'doofus' Cejudo after coaching 'TUF 24'
After spending six weeks together on the latest season of "The Ultimate Fighter," Joseph Benavidez has seen enough of Henry Cejudo.
The flyweight contenders recently finished shooting "TUF 24," where they starred as opposing coaches. In a recent media scrum, Benavidez said the experience bred a genuine disdain for the former Olympian.
"Before, it wasn’t much. I was just annoyed by him. But now it’s like I don’t like him," Benavidez said, according to MMAjunkie's Mike Bohn. "So there’s still no major emotional thing there, but before it was like, ‘The guy’s annoying, but I don’t know him that well.’ But after seeing him for six weeks, he’s a real doofus. Now I just actually don’t like him, I guess you could say.
"That’s funny because for me I’ve never really had to dislike anybody that I’ve fought. I never talk smack to anybody or anything, so it’s a little different. It’s just funny because the things I thought about him (stood) so true after seeing him for six weeks."
The Texas native also questioned Cejudo's merit as a mixed martial artist. While the decorated wrestler's athletic ability is unquestioned, "The Messenger" is not exactly a finisher.
"Look at his fights. No one has ever been impressed by one of his fights. Not once. You’ve never looked at a Henry Cejudo fight and been like, 'That was super cool. Can’t wait to see him fight again.'
"He’s never really hurt anybody or finished them or anything of the sort."
Cejudo last finished an opponent in 2013.
Benavidez will get to settle his differences with Cejudo in the season finale in December. The pair were originally linked to square off last year, but the Team Alpha Male standout instead wound up facing - and beating - Ali Bagautinov at UFC 192.
This season, which premieres on Wednesday, will determine division champion Demetrious Johnson's next challenger. Johnson has cleaned house at flyweight since winning the strap in a split decision over Benavidez at UFC 152, defending the belt eight times. Two of those defenses came against Benavidez and Cejudo, respectively. They were both knocked out in the first round.
Benavidez and Cejudo are scheduled to fight in the co-main event at the 'TUF 24' finale in Las Vegas, Nev. on Dec. 3.