Joseph Benavidez

Joseph Benavidez is one of the greatest fighters never to win a UFC title - a foundational figure in the lighter weight classes who spent the better part of a decade as a top contender at bantamweight and flyweight. Compact, relentless, and technically excellent, he beat a who's-who of the division's best, including future two-division champ Henry Cejudo.

What kept the belt out of reach was timing: his title shots came against the legendary Demetrious Johnson, widely considered the best flyweight ever, and later against Deiveson Figueiredo. He came up just short, but his consistency near the top was remarkable.

For a new fan, Benavidez is essential to understanding the golden age of flyweight - an elite, fan-friendly contender whose only real losses came against all-time greats.