For Immediate Release · October 14, 2026 · Phoenix, AZ
RUF 71 · Amateur Flyweight Title
Five Fights, Five Finishes, One Belt: Marcos Encinas vs. Isidro Benavidez III for the RUF 71 Amateur Flyweight Title
Neither man has lost. Neither man has needed the judges. Someone's perfect run ends with a belt on the line.
PHOENIX, AZ, October 14, 2026. The amateur card at RUF 71: Dia de Los Muertos leads with a belt. Marcos Encinas of Arizona Combat Sports in Tempe puts the RUF amateur flyweight title on the line against Isidro Benavidez III on Saturday, November 7 at the Celebrity Theatre.
The Champion
Encinas (3-0) debuted on last year's Dia de Los Muertos card at RUF 65 and stopped Omar Barrera in 19 seconds, the fastest finish of the night. At RUF 66 he stopped Paul Alvarado in the second round. At RUF 68 he choked out Niko Mills in 63 seconds to win the title. Three fights, three finishes, every one in the RUF cage. He returns to the Day of the Dead card one year after it all started.
The Challenger
Benavidez III (2-0) went from debut to title shot in four months. At RUF 69 in July he submitted Manuel Medina with a rear-naked choke in the second round. At RUF 70 in August he caught Zach Carter in a kneebar in 117 seconds. Two fights, two submissions, a back choke and a leg lock. He hunts from anywhere.
Tale of the Tape
| Category | Marcos Encinas | Isidro Benavidez III |
|---|---|---|
| Amateur Record | 3-0 | 2-0 |
| Fighting Out Of | Arizona Combat Sports, Tempe | Phoenix area |
| Finishes | 2 TKO, 1 submission | 2 submissions |
| Fastest Finish | 0:19, RUF 65 | 1:57, RUF 70 |
| Title History | Won the belt at RUF 68 | First title shot |
Card and matchups subject to change.
Where the Fight Is Won
Encinas wants it over early, on the feet or on the back. Benavidez wants a scramble, and from a scramble he has found both necks and legs. The champion has to win the first exchange. The challenger has to survive it.
Tickets
RUF 71 tickets are on sale now through Etix. General Admission from $45, VIP from $85, Ringside from $125. The Celebrity Theatre is a theater in the round, so every seat faces the cage. Get RUF 71 tickets on Etix
#RUF71 #DiaDeLosMuertos #MarcosEncinas #IsidroBenavidez #TitleFight #RUFNation #MMAAtItsBest #ArizonaMMA
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Founded by Joel Lopez, RUF Nation (Ringside Unified Fighting) is Arizona's #1 professional MMA organization with 20+ years of combat sports heritage. 100% Arizona Tribally-owned, RUF has launched the careers of multiple UFC alumni and is the go-to fight night experience at Phoenix's iconic Celebrity Theatre.
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