David Benavidez is set to enter at least two further cruiserweight assignments, starting with a defence of his unified crown this December.
The 29-year-old became a three-division world champion in May, dethroning Gilberto Ramirez with a vicious sixth-round finish for the WBO and WBA 200lb titles.
While also retaining his position as the WBC light-heavyweight champion, Benavidez left himself with the option of pursuing an undisputed clash with Dmitry Bivol.
Instead of dropping back down to 175lbs, though, the ‘Mexican Monster’ successfully lobbied the WBC to place him as its mandatory challenger at cruiserweight.
The only issue, of course, was that the sanctioning body’s champion, Noel Mikaelian, had already agreed a deal to face Jai Opetaia on September 12.
As a result, Benavidez is now expected to defend his titles against WBC ‘interim’ champion Michal Cieslak in December, as reported by Abraham Gonzalez, though it remains to be seen whether the full WBC strap will also be up for grabs.
The Ring’s Mike Coppinger has now reported details what may come next Benavidez.
“Expect David Benavidez to fight Michal Cieslak on December 12 with ongoing conversations for him to fight [the] winner [of Opetaia-Mikaelian].”
Regardless of whether he gets stripped by the WBC, Mikaelian is set to face former IBF champion and current Zuffa belt-holder Opetaia on the undercard of Ryan Garcia vs Conor Benn.
According to Coppinger, the winner of their Las Vegas encounter is then likely to collide with Benavidez, just so long as he takes care of business against Cieslak.
Gonzalez has also reported that the clash between ‘The Mexican Monster’ and Cieslak, who has not fought since June 2025, is set to take place in Phoenix, Arizona.
