Joseph Benavidez is one of the best fighters in the world. He doesn't know why the UFC won't treat him like one.
Since his career began in 2006, Benavidez has only lost four times. Two of those were to Dominick Cruz, the best bantamweight of all time. The other two were to Demetrious Johnson, arguably the greatest fighter ever.
Next week's UFC 225 event is a big one for Benavidez (25-4), as he will make his first appearance in 18 months. The 33-year-old missed all of 2017 with a torn ACL, and is anxious to return against Sergio Pettis (16-3).
Viewers will not be able to watch the 125-pound bout on pay-per-view, however. Nor the televised prelims. It's been slated as the third bout of a 13-fight card, and will air on UFC Fight Pass, the UFC's internet subscription service.
Currently riding a six-fight win streak, Benavidez admits it feels like disrespect.
"No other person, in any division, with a No. 1 ranking and six wins in a row, would be buried on Fight Pass," Benavidez said. "What other theory is there to have besides they are snubbing [the flyweight division] or it's something personal towards me?
"You want to be respected by your bosses and peers. I've gone through a lot to get here. I'm doing my job. And that No. 1 ranking next to my name says I'm doing my job better than a good percentage of everyone else. It just doesn't make sense."
Currently fighting out of Las Vegas, Benavidez has been in title-shot purgatory for years. He and Johnson (27-2-1) met in the first-ever UFC flyweight title fight in 2012, where Johnson won via split decision. They fought again in late 2013. Johnson won by knockout.
Benavidez has been forced to run in place ever since. He's 10-2 overall in the UFC's flyweight division. But with both losses coming to the dominant champ, it's proven difficult to earn a third fight.
"That was actually one positive thing I was looking at [with the injury], was maybe I was going to be out and there would some crazy mix-up in the division," Benavidez said. "It's actually worse and nothing has changed at all.
"I've always thought that as far as skill goes, it's no question. If you want to have the two best people fight, we're gonna have amazing fights. I think a sixth fight [with Johnson] would be more marketable than some of the fights he's had to fill a card and defend his title."
Despite his disappointment in next weekend's card placement, Benavidez says his approach will remain the same. He wants to extend his win streak to seven against Pettis, and fight again before the end of the year.
He doesn't know what else he can do.
"The hump [I need to get over] is the people making the decisions, I guess, to give me another title shot," Benavidez said. "I know I'm ready physically, and as far as talent goes."