Joseph Benavidez thinks ego could make the difference in the UFC 331 flyweight title headliner.
Three-time divisional title challenger Benavidez, who retired from MMA in March 2021 after a decorated octagon run, has been impressed by Van (16-2 MMA, 10-1 UFC) and his rise to become the second-youngest champion in company history.
Despite seeing Van's controversial UFC 323 title win over Pantoja (30-6 MMA, 14-4 UFC) in December as a "fluke" due to an injury that led to a 26-second stoppage, Benavidez can't deny the many positive attributes the champion brings to the table. He has no doubt Van will be determined to put narrative around the first bout to rest in Saturday's rematch at Crypto.com Arena in Los Angeles (Paramount+).
"He's going to gain
confidence from beating (Tatsuro) Taira (at UFC 328 in May)," Benavidez told MMA Junkie. "He's got good experience, he had some good grappling exchanges in that fight to prepare him for Pantoja. He has to be confident to a point, but in the reality he didn't go and fight and beat Pantoja, so having confidence that you beat someone when you didn't really get to fight them, that can be a little dangerous. But confidence is confidence in this sport, and momentum is momentum and he has it going on. Pantoja has a lot to prove in there as well. We'll see what's a little more powerful."
On paper, Van should have many of the key ingredients to win on his side. Van, 24, is the younger man to Pantoja, 36, has been the more active fighter in recent years, and has no major questions around his health.
Benavidez thinks Pantoja is capable of overcoming all of that, though. He is optimistic that the time off could actually prove beneficial for the Brazilian. Additionally, he expects Pantoja's utter frustration about the way in which he lost the title is going to manifest itself into a focus that gives him a very strong chance of reclaiming gold.
"I do think Pantoja probably has the advantage," Benavidez said. "I feel he is so much further advanced in one of the arts. He has such an advantage there. Van has a distinct advantage in boxing, but you don't necessarily see that advantage taken advantage of on Pantoja just because of the way he fights. He's always in your face. Van does have good inside the pocket striking, so that will be telling because Pantoja's always very close, so that will be different for him. But I just think Pantoja knows what he has to do to win. He's been a long-reigning champ and it's just one of those things where he's not going to try to prove anything else because he knows where he's so much better. I think Pantoja is very good at that."
To hear more from Benavidez, check out his complete appearance on "The Bohnfire" podcast with MMA Junkie senior reporter Mike Bohn.
This article originally appeared on MMA Junkie: Joseph Benavidez: Pantoja 'has the advantage' vs. Van in UFC 331 rematch
