Home » UFC » Exclusive: “I think he is way too open” – Rising MMA star Santo Curatolo believes he can beat Joseph Benavidez

Santo Curatolo also named another former UFC star as the greatest ever

Santo Curatolo is one of the rising MMA stars in the world and believes he can defeat Joseph Benavidez.

The American was speaking exclusively to the Casual Fanboy MMA Podcast and spoke about the fighter he looks up to the most too.

Santo Curatolo believes he will be in the UFC soon
Santo Curatolo seems set to join the UFC soon (Cage Fury Fighting Championships)

The hosts claimed that Curatolo could take on UFC legend Benavidez. Benavidez was in action at Fight Island recently but lost out to Deiveson Figueiredo for the Flyweight title.

Benavidez was taken to the cleaners by the Brazilian, and Curatolo was pleased that he was compared to the big star over his speed and ability.

However, Curatolo had a ton of respect for the UFC star too:

“I could say he looks slow but it’s always different when the guy’s in front of you. He is there for a reason, he has beat a lot of high-level guys for a reason.

“When I look at him, I think I beat him in a lot of aspects but as I said when he is front of you. I never want to underestimate anybody.”

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=h_c8uGUzr4w

Mighty Mouse is his favourite

While talking about his potential clash against Benavidez, he also highlighted one former UFC star as someone he looks up to.

“In my opinion, Demetrious Johnson is the best ever. I think he is the GOAT. I look at him, study him and fight like him. I try to treat everybody like they are Demetrious Johnson.”

Ian McCall faced Demetrious Johnson twice in the UFC
Demetrious Johnson of the USA and Ian McCall of the USA fight during the UFC On FX flyweight bout between Demetrious Johnson and Ian McCall (Photo by Mark Kolbe/Getty Images)

Speaking about his clash against Benavidez, he highlighted some flaws the UFC star had and was certain he could get the win:

“Truly when I look at him. I think I beat him. I think he is way too open, I think his shots are way too wide, I think I could hit him right down the pipe, right down the line.”

However, the rising MMA star was not going to take anyone lightly or even underestimate them. Curatolo certainly is a name to keep tabs on.

He is currently 4-0 in his career and should be making the step up to the UFC after his next fight. The 25-year-old seems to follow one of the greatest ever in Johnson, and it will be interesting to see how he does in the UFC when he reaches the promotion.

This is an exclusive interview from Casual Fanboy MMA podcast. For more exclusive interviews and content please follow the link.

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