Cruz (16-1) defended his title of World Extreme Cagefighting rooster with a split decision victory Benavidez (12-2) in the main event of WEC 50 on Wednesday night at The Pearl at The Palms in Las Vegas.
Cruz won a unanimous decision when they met last August, and although he was pushed to the brink of WEC 50, has reached the top. Cruz was awarded scores of 49-46 and 48-47 by the judges, while Benavidez was awarded a 48-47 decision by the third judge.
"Benavides is a great competitor. I give all the props in the world," Cruz said after the victory.
"I respect him in every way."
The party, as evidenced by scores of judges, came and went five rounds.
Cruz scored with a takedown and some shots from above in the first. The champion kept coming forward, but Benavidez responded with strong combinations and counterattacks in the second.
Down two rounds on all three judges cards (although he would not have known at the time), never let the tempo slower Benavidez, oscillating Cruz with several kicks in the third round. Cruz, however, scored a takedown at the end of the round to finish strong.
The fourth round was again very difficult to mark, as Cruz Benavidez took down several times, but the challenger scored some good shots from the back or quickly returned to his feet.
The final image in the fifth round was Cruz at the top, but the champion Benavidez gave all he could handle in the last five minutes, landing some combinations and trying to attack.
A judge gave rounds one, two, four, five and Cruz, while the second gave rounds one, two and three. The third judge gave three rounds of Benavidez, four and five.
With his title defense, Cruz said he feels he should be in any discussion of the best fighters pound-for-pound fighter in the game.
"I are among the best in the world," he said.
"There is no doubt in my mind."
In other matches at WEC 50:
- Anthony Pettis scored a dramatic victory over Shane Roller, locking in a triangle choke and forced to surrender roller just nine seconds left in the third and final round of their lightweight clash.
- Chad Mendes won a unanimous decision over Cub Swanson in a featherweight bout. Two judges scored 29-28, while the third had 30 to 27.
- Scott Jorgenson won a unanimous decision over Brad Pickett in a bantamweight bout. All three judges had the contest 30-27.
- Bart Palaszewski national broadcast opened in spectacular fashion, landing a vicious right to the fall of Zach Micklewright only 31 seconds into the second round and win a victory by TKO.
In preliminary bouts:
- Maciej Jewtuszko scored a TKO victory over Anthony Njokuani at 1:35 of the first round of their lightweight match;
- Javier Vazquez Semerzier Mackensen choked out at 1:35 of Round 2 in their featherweight bout;
- Ricardo Lamas was awarded a unanimous decision over Dave Jansen in a lightweight contest. The three judges who had 29 to 28;
- Fredson Paixao defeated Bryan Caraway via split decision in a featherweight match. All three judges scored it 29-28, with two side Paixao.
- Dustin Poirier defeated Danny Castillo by unanimous decision. Two judges scored 30-27, third with the score 29-28.
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