Joseph Benavidez Returns from Knee Injury, Meets Sergio Pettis at UFC 225 in Chicago

Top flyweight contender Joseph Benavidez will return to action after suffering a torn ACL last year when he faces Sergio Pettis at UFC 225.

The promotion confirmed the pairing to the Chicago Tribune on Monday and also revealed that a heavyweight clash pitting Rashad Coulter against Allen Crowder will go down at the event. UFC 225 takes place at the United Center in Chicago on June 9 and will also include a strawweight showdown between Claudia Gadelha and Carla Esparza.

A two-time title challenger at 125 pounds, Benavidez hasn’t competed since taking a split verdict over Henry Cejudo at “The Ultimate Fighter 24” finale in December 2016. The 33-year-old was scheduled to face Ben Nguyen at UFC Fight Night 110 but had to withdraw after injuring his knee. Benavidez has won six straight fights since falling to reigning champion Demetrious Johnson via first-round knockout at UFC on Fox 9.

Pettis, meanwhile, had a four-bout winning streak snapped in a decision loss to Cejudo in his most recent outing at UFC 218 on Dec. 2. The 24-year-old Roufusport product is 7-3 during his promotional tenure.