mma guys aren't conditioned to or committed to fighting on the inside, the only occassion they do so is when using an often poorly executed thai clinch. Im not an inside fighter at all; but i know what good one's do and most mma guys aren't effective at long, mid range, MUCH LESS close range.
the issue w/joseph is the same w/most guys, they don't know how to put shots together; nor do they know how to setup offense or use defense to set up and execute offense, they may slip/block a shot and then throw one or two shots. But they can't do it and throw 3-4-5-6; which was benaivdes issue, he is very erratic w/the quality and precisness of his standup. Of bigger note is his dependence on his workrate, his explosiveness and his agility; he hasn't yet mastered or even developed the ability TO WORK HIS WAY IN and as a result be offensively active and located in the correct/most effective range as it pertains to his reach/height/
he would land one or two shots or a leg kick and a wild punch; an then stop, maybe it was for fear of being countered. But given that cruz lacks legit one shot power, i tend to think joseph didn't extend his attack because he didn't know how to; he figured his ability would allow him to eventually land that shot, which wasn't gonna happen given cruz sense of distance, timing, his reach and superior overall boxing (footwork, headmovement, upperbody movement, angles, feints, and more importantly his speed). Against lesser skilled and lesser gifted guys, benavides wild athletic staccato attacks work fine; but against a more seasoned guy his lack of polish in execution or setup winds up w/him swing short long wide or other things.
joseph could have got to the body, but he didn't work his way in; an even if he got in, i don't know that he would have opened up and attacked the body. Im not an inside guy at all; but i do alot of bodyshots, but i set them up and work my way in behind a jab and w/footwork, two things benavides doesn't use alot or well.
