Hello once more fans and friends and welcome to the latest edition of “Crash Course.” “Crash Course” is a series of articles designed to give readers a quick rundown on all the relevant information they need to know heading into an upcoming major MMA event. Everything from why you should watch, what you should expect in the co-main and main event, and even where and when you can find it on TV is all covered in detail. So let’s get right to it with today’s edition, featuring UFC 144 “Edgar vs. Henderson.”
The Event: UFC 144 “Edgar vs. Henderson,” currently scheduled for Sunday, February 26, 2012 at the Saitama Super Arena in Saitama, Japan. One preliminary fight will be shown on the UFC’s Facebook page, and four preliminary fights will be shown on the FX network starting at 8:00 PM ET. The seven-fight main card will be shown live on Pay-Per-View starting at 10:00 PM ET.
Why You Should Care: For one, it’s the UFC’s return to Japan for the first time in over 100 (100!) events. The main card is seven fights compared to the usual five, and you’ve got a certified “Fight of the Year” contender in Benson Henderson vs. Frank Edgar. You’ve also got Quinton Jackson, and further down the card, you’ve got notables like Mark Hunt, Cheick Kongo, Jake Shields and more.
What to Look Forward to in the Main Event: This is the most excited I’ve been for a lighter-weight fight in quite some time. I just don’t see how this fight doesn’t live up to its potential. Frank Edgar is a fantastic Lightweight champion; the way he keeps finding ways to win seemingly against all odds is a story right out of a movie. Benson Henderson, meanwhile, has been tearing through the UFC’s Lightweight division. All signs point to this being an amazing fight.
What to Look Forward to in the Co-Main Event: Quinton Jackson has been campaigning to fight in Japan for a long time, and now he finally gets his wish. Hopefully that brings out the best in him, because Jackson could use an old-school PRIDE-era monster KO to rebound from his loss to Jon Jones. Ryan Bader, meanwhile, will do everything in his power to prove that he wasn’t just a flash in the pan and that he can still compete with the elite of the division. It’s not the best fight for either man, to be honest, but it should be very fun to watch.
Why You Should Watch This Card: The atmosphere alone is one of the biggest reasons I’ll be watching this show: it’s the UFC in Japan, and we haven’t seen that in a long, long, long time. In addition to that, you’ve got a whole host of stars competing in several smartly-booked matches. Once thought of as little more than a throwaway event, the amount of effort the UFC has put into making this a good card is downright commendable.
Why You Shouldn’t Watch This Card: Aside from the main event and Quinton Jackson, this card lacks true top-division star power. All things considered, this is a safe bet for the UFC; they’re not risking any of their absolute best, and the Lightweight Championship isn’t the most prestigious belt in the UFC. That’s not said to discredit anyone or anything in particular, that’s simply the reality of the situation.
Closing Thoughts: I think you have to watch this card, all things considered. It’s well-constructed, and the story behind the event is pretty interesting as well. I don’t know what surprises the UFC will have for us in Japan, but I’d really like to find out. Getting a good event filled with good fighters, along with a fantastic can’t-miss main event, only sweetens the pot.
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