Highlights! Benavidez Outduels Morrell In Instant Classic

David Benavidez (30-0, 24 KO) started 2025 off with a bang last night (Sat., Feb. 1, 2025) LIVE on Amazon Prime pay-per-view (PPV) from inside T-Mobile Arena in Las Vegas, Nevada, defending his interim WBC light heavyweight title against WBA light heavyweight champion David Morrell Jr. (11-1, 9 KO) in an instant classic.

This was an absolute dog fight from the opening bell. Morrell did what he promised he would do and stood in the pocket going shot for shot with Benavidez. The aggressive nature and constant pressure from both light heavyweights resulted in a high-octane title fight that sent the crowd into a frenzy.

Benavidez would land the harder shots (many to the body) to jump out to a good lead through the first half of the fight, but Morrell arguably scored the biggest shot. It happened in the fourth round as Benavidez came rushing in along the ropes. Morrell landed a short right hand that clipped “Monster” and briefly buckled him.

Benavidez would stay busy in the second half of the main event with constant hooks and punches to the body. Morrell displayed one hell of a chin, but he was losing the firefight and running out of answers. The Cuban champion was able to score a timely knockdown in the 11th round, but was later deducted a point for hitting Benavidez after the bell.

In the end, it was Benavidez who did more than enough work and damage over the course of 12 hard-fought rounds to earn the unanimous decision win (115-111, 115-111, 118-108).

Check out the video highlights below:

For official ‘Benavidez vs. Morrell’ Fight Night results, coverage, and highlights click HERE.

This news first appeared on MMA Mania. Read the original article.