UFC kicks off flyweight division in March 2012 with four-man tournament

Four men have been selected to comprise a tournament where the UFC’s first flyweight champion will be crowned, UFC president Dana White announced Saturday night following UFC 140: Jones vs. Machida.

Demetrious Johnson will meet Ian McCall in on semifinal, while Joseph Benavidez takes on Yasuhiro Urushitani in the other. Both matches will happen at UFC on FX 2, a show slated for Australia on March 4. The event will air live on the U.S. on March 3 based on the time difference between the two regions.

Johnson (9-2) suffered a loss to UFC bantamweight champ Dominick Cruz in his last match. “Mighty Mouse” was expected to face Eddie Wineland at next month’s UFC on FOX 2 show but that bout has now been scrapped. McCall is the reigning Tachi Palace Fights flyweight champ, holding a career record of 11-2. “Uncle Creepy” will be making his Octagon debut in the tourney.

Benavidez has won his first two UFC fights, stopping Wineland and Ian Loveland. With a 15-2 overall record, his lone two losses have come at the hands of Cruz. Urushitani (19-4-6) holds a five-fight win streak and will be making his UFC debut on the card.

PHOTO CREDIT – ZUFFA

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MMATraining Take: It is obvious the UFC wants Johnson-Benavidez for the finals, as they are two very high-profile fighters. But neither man can overlook their semifinal round opponent. The flyweight division is sure to bring excitement to any UFC card, and these four men will all do just that.