UFC reporter Megan Olivi was in the waiting room when her husband, two-time UFC flyweight title challenger Joseph Benavidez, went into surgery as the last patient of the day.

The expectation was that Benavidez would have a torn ACL repaired. But once he went under, doctors kept finding more things to fix.

Every hour, the operating surgeon came out to inform Olivi that it was going to be a bit longer. By the time the operation was complete, four hours had passed. The surgeon ordered pizza for Olivi and the staff.

“I’m sitting in this room where the lights keep shutting off on me because they’re motion lights,” Olivi told MMAjunkie Radio.

When Benavidez (25-4 MMA, 12-2 UFC), who’s No. 2 in the USA TODAY Sports/MMAjunkie MMA flyweight rankings, fights No. 6 Sergio Pettis (16-3 MMA, 7-3 UFC) at UFC 225, it will mark the culmination of many months in recovery. But it may also provide a blueprint for other fighters who sustain serious injuries in training.

Benavidez didn’t take the standard rehabilitation route after the knee injury that hobbled his return to the octagon this past May. He’s the first fighter to work from surgery to fight camp with the UFC’s Performance Institute, Olivi said.

“I can’t say enough good things about the staff there,” she said.

Olivi said Benavidez got the star treatment at the Las Vegas facility as he got back on his feet. From the institute’s holistic approach to healing to one-on-one time with physical therapists, every need was attended. It was a bonding experience rather than one of isolation.

“It was definitely a challenge,” Olivi said. “It was hard to see someone who’s so independent, and one of the best athletes in the world, not be able to put on his own shorts. But it went by pretty quickly, and with the support of so many people, and with the amazing assets that are at the Performance Institute, it was the best of a bad situation.

“Now, it’s just able to watch it come full circle.”

Benavidez will go for consecutive win No. 7 as he faces Pettis at UFC 225, which takes place June 9 at United Center in Chicago and airs on pay-per-view.

For more on UFC 225, check out the UFC Rumors section of the site.

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