Gallery Joseph Benavidez def. Alex Perez at TUF 28 Finale: Best photos view 10 images

Joseph Benavidez will serve as the official backup for the flyweight title fight between Henry Cejudo and T.J. Dillashaw at UFC on ESPN+ 1.

Benavidez originally was supposed to fight Deiveson Figueiredo (15-0 MMA, 4-0 UFC) at UFC 233. However, when it was announced the event was canceled, the matchup reportedly would be moved to UFC on ESPN+ 1. That is no longer the case.

MMAjunkie confirmed with a UFC official that the matchup between Benavidez and Figueiredo is off, and instead Benavidez will prepare to replace either champion Cejudo (13-2 MMA, 7-2 UFC) or challenger Dillashaw (16-3 MMA, 12-3 UFC) should anything happen to them ahead of fight night.

Benavidez told MMAjunkie that he will be prepared for any situation should he be called upon.

“I’m just going to be there,” Benavidez said. “The options happen. You don’t always get your preference. I would rather fight than just weigh in, but that’s a whole other thing. I don’t wish ill will on anyone in the title fight, either, because I know how hard they worked to get there. If someone falls out then I get that opportunity, as well. There’s a ton of options on the table, and I’m ready for all of them. I’ll be in Brooklyn ready to fight for the title.”

UFC on ESPN+ 1 takes place Jan. 19 at Barclays Center in Brooklyn, N.Y. The main card airs on ESPN+ following prelims on ESPN and ESPN+.

Benavidez called for a title shot following his first-round TKO victory over Alex Perez at The Ultimate Fighter 28 Finale in November. He already owns a split-decision victory over Cejudo at The Ultimate Fighter 24 Finale in December 2016 and is a former teammate of Dillashaw’s at Team Alpha Male.

For more on UFC on ESPN+ 1, check out the UFC Rumors section of the site.

Gallery Photos: Best of T.J. Dillashaw view 113 images

Gallery Photos: Best of Henry Cejudo view 57 images

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