Frankie Edgar vs. Benson Henderson could be the Fight of the Year.
Edgar comes into the fight as one of the toughest and most determined fighters in the UFC. Henderson has the style to create problems for Edgar.
Edgar (14-1-1, 9-1-1 UFC) has won six of his last seven fights. After battling Gray Maynard to a draw in January 2011, Edgar knocked him out in Round 4 during their rematch in October.
But Edgar’s strength doesn’t lie in his knockout ability. He’s had three knockouts in 16 career fights. Edgar’s strength has always been his wrestling and his ability to grind out round after round and turn them into wins.
Henderson (15-2, 3-0 UFC) has the size and grappling ability to pose problems for Edgar. It’s part of the reason why he’s going to be such an interesting challenger for Edgar. But his striking ability isn’t great, and he’s not the wrestler Edgar is.
But it’s about more than X’s and O’s when it comes to Edgar. He simply seems to will himself to victory each and every fight.
Henderson noted, via the Vancouver Sun:
“Against Frankie, what I’d be most worried about, is maybe losing each round by a hair. Frankie does a great job of doing just enough — not just enough, I don’t want to say it like that — but just winning that round… So, at the end of the fight, you’re down five rounds to none. Not really too beat up or too damaged, but you lost all five rounds to Frankie Edgar.”
I think Edgar deserves a little more credit than that (he has beat up quite a few opponents), but Henderson is right about Edgar outlasting his opponents. Sometimes it feels like he doesn’t tire at all.
In the end, I see Edgar winning via decision in what should be yet another great fight for UFC fans.
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