The Saitama Super Arena in Japan will house UFC 144, showcasing a gauntlet of long-awaited UFC matches. Here is a breakdown of the main card fights for the highly anticipated event.
Frankie Edgar vs. Ben Henderson
This promises to be the best matchup Japan has to offer. Former WEC lightweight champion Henderson has a very real chance to take out UFC’s defending lightweight champ, Edgar. Edgar is well-conditioned, going for five rounds in three of his last four matches. But Henderson may possess the fitness needed to take on Edgar. He is undefeated since joining the UFC.
Quinton Jackson vs. Ryan Bader
Jackson failed to make weight for this fight, but Bader accepted the match at catchweight. Jackson comes into this one looking to vindicate himself from a brutal title-match loss against Jon Jones. Bader also has a chip on his shoulder going into this one. Despite a 14-2 record, he has dropped two of his last three fights.
Mark Hunt vs. Cheick Kongo
This should be a good stand-up match between two heavyweights versed in kickboxing. French fighter Kongo is on a hot steak right now. In his last four fights, he ended three with wins and one with a draw. Hunt snapped out of a six-loss slump to defeat Chris Tuchscherer and Ben Rothwell in his last two matches. If Hunt wins in Japan, he will earn a winning career record.
Yoshihiro Akiyama vs. Jake Shields
These fighters rely on different techniques, which should make for an interesting match. Akiyama enjoys throwing punches and is feared for his knockout power. Shields, a former NCAA Division II wrestler, works best with grappling techniques on the ground. Shields has struggled this year, perhaps returning to the Octagon too quickly after his father passed away last fall. But Shields will hopefully be back for this match, and he is sure to bring the pressure.
Yushin Okami vs. Tim Boetsch
This one will come down to who can take down whom first. Okami is Japan’s most successful middleweight contender. His strategy will be to bring Boetsch to the ground and wreck him there. But if Boetsch can take Okami down first, it may be lights out for the Japanese fighter. Boetsch’s four career defeats came at the hands of guys he could not take down.
Hatsu Hioki vs. Bart Palaszewski
This fight is sure to shake up the UFC featherweight landscape. Ranked No. 2 for featherweight contenders, Hioki is one of just two Japanese fighters in this event considered to be in the top 10. He relies heavily on ground game, using grappling techniques and holds to get his opponents to submit. If Hioki can keep Palaszewski on the ground, he will likely take this one.
Palaszewski, IFL and WEC veteran, cut his weight to make his UFC debut as a featherweight. While the weight change forced Palaszewski to make some adjustments, he knocked out Tyson Griffin in the first round of his first-ever UFC match. If rising-star featherweight Palaszewski can pull off the upset in this match, he is likely to be considered among UFC’s featherweight elite.
Anthony Pettis vs. Joe Lauzon
Anthony Pettis excels standing up and on the floor, but he should try to keep Joe Lauzon on his feet to wear him down in this one. That is because Lauzon tends to win matches early. If Pettis can survive the first round with Lauzon, he may be able to outlast Lauzon.
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