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Roy Nelson Not Afraid to Travel Path of Most Resistance

In a sport where going with the flow seems to be the normal trend, Roy Nelson is a man apart. The Season 10 TUF winner has not been afraid to buck the system at every turn, no matter the additional criticism it may bring. Over his three years with the UFC, “Big Country” has fallen in and out of favor with UFC President Dana White on several occasions. While this may be the shaky ground other fighters look to avoid, Nelson keeps on keeping on.

The reality is, Nelson is a man of conviction. Opinions from his fellow fighters or the men atop the promotion are of no concern to him because the 36-year-old Las Vegas native has absolutely zero issues with forging his own path through the sport.

He isn’t afraid to make waves by bringing difficult questions to the table, and no matter how much scorn it may bring, Nelson’s toughness inside and outside of the cage have put him in the interesting position to shake things up. His opinions may make him unpopular with his UFC boss, but his willingness to throw down has made him a favorite amongst the organization’s fan base.

He is afforded this platform due in large part to the fact Nelson always “shows up” to fight. His exciting style and durability have made him a commodity in an organization that has been ravaged by injury. Despite illness or changes in opponents, Nelson will always make that walk to the Octagon, and once that cage door closes, he’s going to give everything he has until the final bell sounds.

This is the exact mentality he will carry into his bout tonight with fellow TUF 10 alum Matt Mitrione in the main event of The Ultimate Fighter 16 Finale.

Despite preparing to face fellow slugger Shane Carwin for the second time, and having the Team Grudge heavyweight withdraw due to injury once again, the show will go on because of Nelson’s willingness to fight whoever the UFC puts in front of him.

Will defeating Mitrione get Nelson closer to the title shot he’s been searching for since coming into the UFC? No it won’t, but what it will serve to prove is that when Nelson’s name is on the bill, fans are going to get to see him fight, and things of this nature have been “hit or miss” for the UFC in 2012.

The Art of the “Old School” Scrap Mentality

It’s a common thing these days to hear fighters and promoters talk about an “anytime, anywhere” brand of toughness. While this may sound good in a buzzword sense, few mixed martial artists actually embody the sentiment.

Nelson, however, carries the flag when it comes to representing the old-school mentality the UFC was built upon.

It doesn’t matter whom the UFC matches him up against, a fight is a fight to Nelson. When his original opponent at UFC 117, Cheick Kongo, withdrew due to injury, the former IFL champion immediately stepped up to face future champion Junior Dos Santos.

While the bout ultimately resulted in Nelson’s first loss under the UFC banner, he became the first man to take JDS to the judge’s cards. In a fight where he survived a nasty first round, the MMA veteran regained his footing, and was trading heavy leather with “Cigano” until the final bell.

Nelson looked to bounce back into the win column in his next outing against former champion Frank Mir at UFC 130, but was defeated in a one-sided decision. White criticized Nelson’s performance and in turn, the Team Country Club leader answered back by showing up to his next fight against Pride legend Mirko “Cro Cop” Filipovic in leaner fashion. He was able to score a second round TKO over the Croatian and regain his place in the increasingly competitive ranks of the heavyweight division.

After facing another setback against Fabricio Werdum at UFC 143, Nelson was slated to face Antonio “Big Foot” Silva in the UFC’s all-heavyweight showcase at UFC 146. The events that transpired in the lead-up to the event serve as a perfect example of Nelson’s willingness to fight despite shifting circumstances.

Originally scheduled to face Silva, the debacle that forced former Strikeforce heavyweight champion Alistair Overeem from the event created a complete shift in the card’s line-up. During this process, Nelson’s opponent changed twice, and after the initial replacement Gabriel Gonzaga withdrew due to injury, journeyman Dave Herman stepped in on two week’s notice.

Where other fighters would have asked to be taken off the card due to a lack of preparation time, Nelson charged on and scored a first-round knockout over the Indiana native.

Much like the Mitrione fight, defeating Herman carried little upside. On the other hand, had Nelson lost to “Pee Wee”, his stock would have bottomed out and his job with the UFC could have become non-existent. In the business of MMA, these are the circumstances that force fighters to make safe decisions. But for a fighter like Nelson who thrives on testing himself, there is only one way to move forward, and that is to fight.

The Roy Nelson Way

As the sport continues to grow and the trend of trash-talking continues to become the norm, Nelson refuses to waiver. He wears his heart on his sleeve and speaks his mind, and regardless of the potential backlash. This is simply “Roy being Roy,” and whether you like it or not, he isn’t going to change his ways to fit into the easy way of things.

I’ve personally known Nelson for quite some time and over the years, Nelson’s straight talk has assisted in my navigation, not just of the MMA world, but through the sometimes rocky waters of life itself.

“Get a backbone Finley,” he has said to me on more than a few occasions. While he has always said it with a chuckle, it doesn’t make the words carry any less meaning. The sport of MMA is a business, and in many ways, life reflects the business world as well, and going forward with an iron chin, a sharp mind and a huge heart is a formula I’m proud to say I’ve adapted.

The Roy Nelson way may not always be the most popular. It is, however, a path you can travel where you can look at yourself in the mirror at the end of the day, and be proud of who you are and the way you handle your business.

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Gilbert Melendez Calls out Bendo: ‘Benson Henderson Is the Fight I Want’

For years, there has been a quiet storm brewing outside of the UFC, and his name is Gilbert Melendez. The Strikeforce lightweight champion has scrapped his way to the top of the heap on the strength of an impressive seven-fight win streak which has ear…

Aside from the challenges he’s battled inside the cage, the current dilemma facing “El Nino” is his situation with the organization he’s championed for the past three years. Over this time, Melendez has dealt with the frustration of not facing the caliber of opponent that would keep him in the conversation of who is truly the world’s best lightweight.

It is a situation he has handled with class, but with Strikeforce’s demise all but a certainty at this point, the 30-year-old California native has begun to address the obstacles waiting for him on the road ahead. If Melendez has his way, the next fight will be the biggest of his career, and his focus is locked on one man in particular.

“I want to fight Benson Henderson,” Melendez told Bleacher Report. “I think a champion versus champion fight makes absolute sense right now. I think we already know how things are going to work out between Benson Henderson and a lot of other lightweight fighters in the UFC, but I’m that mystery fighter. No one really knows how I’m going to matchup with anyone. I have been around for a long time and have been the top lightweight in the world before Benson or any of these other guys.

“I think I have a lot of answers for his style. Sometimes he fights a wrestler like Guida who doesn’t have great hands, and sometimes he fights strikers who can’t really wrestle. Look at his fights against “Cowboy” Cerrone back in the day, or even Pettis. I have that wrestling pedigree where he ain’t taking me down, and I’ll be stuffing some shots. I’m not backing away, and I’ll be dropping some bombs. I’m not an easy guy to stand with. I have a lot of power, and I’m not running away from kicks. I don’t run away from anything. I hold my ground. I’ll be coming for him, and anything he dishes out I’ll be answering back twice as hard.

“I think everyone would be really excited for this matchup, and I guarantee it would be a great fight. We can do it in the Octagon or the Strikeforce cage—it doesn’t matter to me. Henderson is the fight I want, and let’s make it happen.”

The idea of Melendez facing a UFC champion has lingered for quite some time, but the intensity ramped up this past weekend in Seattle. Following Henderson’s dominant victory over Melendez’s friend and training partner Nate Diaz, the topic of a potential champion vs. champion bout began to swirl around the press conference.

Despite falling short on his own title shot, it was Diaz who let Henderson know that sooner or later Melendez would be coming for his belt.

“It was awesome to hear what Nate said, and he wasn’t bullsh**** about it either,” Melendez said. “He was genuine For those who didn’t believe it, he gave a funny little smirk, and that made me laugh. It’s the truth, and it means a lot coming from a cool guy like Nate.

“It feels good to be in the conversation. It feels good to hear the media and respectable journalists who really take a genuine interest in the sport mentioning my name in that situation. It means a lot to me. Benson made his reply that he would fight whomever the UFC wanted him to fight, but I think this fight is what the people want. I think I’m the opponent people want to see face him next.”

While the situation between Strikeforce, Showtime and the UFC remains unclear, Melendez has felt the fires of motivation return. With the recent announcement of Strikeforce women’s bantamweight champion Ronda Rousey crossing over into the UFC, Melendez is hoping he will receive similar treatment. This was also a topic the younger Diaz addressed in the post-fight press conference in Seattle for UFC on Fox 5.

“I agree, and Nate said it about as classy as it could possibly be said,” Melendez said. “They gave Ronda the title, all kinds of respect, and I feel I deserve just as much respect as she’s getting. I think I’ve done a lot in this sport. I hold the Strikeforce title, and I feel it’s a respectable one. They have always said it is the equivalent to the UFC belt, and hopefully I get the same respect.

“The fire has been lit, and it was lit a few weeks back. When you start feeling the vibes and hearing the word get out about the things happening with Ronda Rousey, you start getting excited. I’m not saying anything is done in that regard, but it doesn’t stop me from getting fired up about the possibility. You get excited you are going to face big names and the possibility of big matchups. It will give me the chance to really prove something to people in this sport. That fire has definitely been lit, and it would be a real bummer if things didn’t work out like I hope they do.

“These things play a lot on your motivation, and if everything works out, then it will be great. The fire has been lit because it’s becoming a possibility, and I’m seeing the difference in everything I do. I’m running harder because I know it’s there. It’s true I wasn’t super motivated for my past few fights, and it showed out there in the cage. I wasn’t happy with my performance, but I was happy I got the “W.” When things are handled a certain way, you get a certain performance. When the opportunity is right—you’ll get the best I have to give.”

For years, Melendez has struggled with the stark reality of having title defenses of the high risk/low reward variety. Should a crossover into the UFC come to pass, Melendez is excited by the thought of entering the ultra-competitive UFC lightweight ranks. The 155-pound weight class is one of the organization’s premiere divisions, and in addition to Henderson, Melendez has his eye on a few other fights he respects and would love to mix it up with.

“If everything works out, it is going to be a really exciting,” Melendez said. “I see all the toughest guys and a lot of tough tests. I actually think Cowboy Cerrone is going to beat Pettis. I’ve been watching him for a while, and I think he’s a guy who is really tough. Gray Maynard is another amazing guy I would love to fight. I’m also impressed with Benson Henderson, and those are some of the guys on my radar in the UFC. I think they would all be great matchups and give me the chance to prove that I’m the best. It’s exciting to think about it, and I’m getting jazzed just talking about it now.”

For the moment, all Melendez can do is wait. The biggest difference this time around is that he has a sense that something greater is looming around the corner. The only thing he’s ever wanted is the chance to prove he is the best lightweight in the world, and if everything works the way he hopes, Melendez will get the opportunity to prove to the world what he’s been saying all along.

“This is seeming more possible every day and feeling like it could really happen,” Melendez said about his potential transition into the UFC. “With that on my mind, the fire is light, and I’m ready. I should be medically cleared in the middle of next week. After I see the doctor, that should give me that five- to six-week marker. I have been doing a lot of drilling, technique and running. You can’t help but get out there and do things. I’ve been staying busy, working on a lot of my strategy and tactics. I’ll pick it up a lot more once I get cleared. But you could definitely say I’m prepped.

“The timing is right for this fight,” he added in regard to a potential bout with Henderson. “I’ll be healthy by the time he would be ready to go, and it just makes sense. That is the fight I want. I really want to test myself, and I really want to find out if I’m the best. If Henderson really wants to find out, this is the fight for him to really prove he is the No. 1 lightweight fighter in the world. I say let’s do it.”

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Mitrione: Defeating Nelson Will Justify the Sacrifices I’ve Made for My Family

For months, Matt Mitrione has been looking for a bigger opportunity.A scheduled bout with Phil De Fries has been on the books for some time, but that didn’t stop the former All-American defensive lineman from attempting to get a fight with a higher pro…

For months, Matt Mitrione has been looking for a bigger opportunity.

A scheduled bout with Phil De Fries has been on the books for some time, but that didn’t stop the former All-American defensive lineman from attempting to get a fight with a higher profile.

It was a course of action which lead Mitrione on a jagged path up-and-under the proverbial bus with UFC President Dana White.

However, this weekend, the former NFL player turned mixed-martial-artist will get his wish when he faces heavyweight slugger Roy Nelson.

Both men were cast mates on Season 10 of The Ultimate Fighter, with Nelson eventually winning the tournament by defeating Brendan Schaub.

Coming onto the show Mitrione had minimal experience, but has flourished in his time since winning five-out-of-six Octagon appearances.

When the two men square off this Saturday night in Las Vegas, Mitrione believes his performance will display how far he’s come.

“I feel like this fight will show the progression I have made as a mixed martial artist,” Mitrione told Bleacher Report.

“I think it has been pretty well publicized now that I didn’t have a clue what I was doing when I was on The Ultimate Fighter. I had only been training for six months before I got there.

“I feel like I’m a damn good fighter right now. I train at the Blackzilians camp with guys like Rashad Evans, Alistair Overeem, Thiago Silva, and Vitor Belfort and those guys have all noticed the improvements I’ve made. Those are top tier fighters and that tells me I’m doing something right.

“I feel like it will be a great display of the things I’ve learned, but the biggest thing, I’ve gained all kinds of knew knowledge since I came down to South Florida in March.

“Now it’s up to me to use that knowledge at the right time, the right way, and show I’ve become a striker, not just a brawler who has tricks. That’s up to me and I think that is the cool part. I need to come out and effectively utilize what I’ve been learning.”

The bout with Nelson will be Mitrione‘s first since October of 2011. Following a unanimous decision loss to veteran Cheick Kongo.

The 34-year was slated to face Rob Broughton on two occasions, but the matchup with the British heavyweight was ultimately scrapped and a bout with De Fries was set for UFC 155.

With the fight with De Fries on the horizon, Mitrione lobbied for a fight with former light heavyweight champion Quinton “Rampage” Jackson.

Dana White ultimately shot down the idea, and became upset with Mitrione when he rejected a short notice bout in Strikeforce with Heavyweight Grand Prix winner Daniel Cormier.

Following Shane Carwin’s withdraw from the TUF 16 Finale due to injury, Mitrione stepped up to the fill the void.

While it will be the first action he’s seen in over a year, Mitrione feels Nelson is the caliber of opponent he deserves to face and the decision to take the fight with “Big Country” had nothing to do with the previous criticism from White.

“So many people have told me they think I took this fight with Roy to get back in good with Dana and that has absolutely nothing to do with why I wanted this fight,” said Mitrione.

“I respect Dana but that isn’t going to stop me from doing what I feel is right. If he wants to chastise me in the media for decisions I’ve made, then that is just the way things are. Sure it sucks, but I’m a man with options. I’m an intelligent and articulate person with a college degree and I can do whatever I want in the world.

“Fighting isn’t the only thing I have. If I’m ever forced out because they don’t like the way I handle myself then I’ll figure something else out. I always have. But as far as being a fighter, they aren’t going to find a fighter with more heart, drive, and love for the fight than me.

“I should be fighting in these type of fights. I should be fighting someone in Roy’s position. To be honest, I see Roy and Kongo on almost the same level. Roy is probably at a little higher level but it is where I belong. It’s where I should be.

“When I fought Kongo, I didn’t get beat by Kongo. I lost a decision that was questionable. I definitely didn’t get man-handled or had the type of performance where people came out saying I definitely wasn’t as good as Kongo. I don’t think that happened at all. Whatever position that is; I’ll let the crowd decide that. But I feel I belong in this conversation and believe I’ll be able to prove that on Saturday.”

After the announcement of Mitrione taking Carwin’s place, Nelson voiced his feelings that Mitrione made things personal by asking for the fight. Additional tension was added when Mitrione declined VADA testing which Nelson has been strongly advocating for months due to the short-notice nature of the bout.

While the former Purdue standout holds no ill-will towards Nelson, he believes there is no way to avoid making things personal when two men are locked in a cage to scrap it out.

“Dude it is personal any way you cut it,” Mitrione said.

“Fighting is a very personal thing. I’m going to try to put my shin through his body. I’m going to try to put my fist on the backside of his face. He’s going to try to do the exact same thing to me. Of course that is personal, but as soon as it is over, I’ll go buy Roy a beer with my win money.

“I harbor no animosity towards him but this is fight week. Roy is a friend of mine but if I knock him down, I’m not going to stop trying to punch a hole in his face. Roy will do the exact same thing to me.”

Nelson has earned his reputation as one of the heavyweight division’s toughest fighters.

The former IFL champion has the power to end fights abruptly with a thundering overhand and top-level ground skills to finish his opposition on the mat.

While these are steep challenges Mitrione will certainly face, the motivations for the fight go far beyond the bright lights of the Octagon.

“I could really a f*** less if people who get paid to have opinions think I have a chance or not,” Mitrione said.

“I have spent so much time away from my family. My three-year old calls the phone ‘daddy’ and that f**** me up. This fight is an opportunity for me to justify being away and once I beat Roy it puts me in a different conversation.

“As far as I’m concerned, Roy Nelson is the only person standing in my way of financial independence and freedom for the most part. It will allow me to write my own ticket for the next stretch and that’s how I see it. Whether that is right or wrong, I could care less.

“In my own opinion, I don’t think too many people are giving me much of a chance to win this.They don’t think I can knock him out. They don’t think I can finish him on the ground. They don’t think I have good enough wrestling to stay off the ground with him.

“They know I have a good chin and won’t get knocked out, but most people believe I’ll get taken down and TKO’d there. That is what people seem to expect and I think I’m a whole lot better than what people give me credit for.

“There is so much I’ve never shown and I’ve only gotten better since coming down to South Florida. This fight isn’t so much about shutting up the critics or the haters, but for me it is really about justifying having to spend so much time away from my family.”

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Rather Than Focus on Rousey, Miesha Should Be Thinking About Cyborg

This past weekend in Seattle, UFC President Dana White put the spotlight of the MMA world on Ronda Rousey. At the press conference for the UFC on Fox 5 event, White crowned Rousey the organization’s first women’s bantamweight champion and announced her debut bout under the UFC banner would come against Liz Carmouche. The two women will square off in the main event of UFC 157 in Anaheim Calif., and while the news created a media frenzy throughout the MMA universe, there was one female fighter none too pleased with the turn of events.

Former Strikeforce bantamweight champion, and Rousey rival Miesha Tate, felt slighted by the organization passing her over and granting the fight to Carmouche. The first WMMA fight inside the Octagon will no doubt be a historic event, and “Cupcake” was angered the organization didn’t offer her the opportunity, to not only grab a shot at redemption against the “Rowdy” one, but have a moment in the spotlight she feels is deserved.

A frustrated Tate turned to the media and vocalized her opinion on a number of subjects ranging from the UFC seemingly putting “all their eggs” in Rousey’s basket to the notion she had rejected the fight when in fact the opportunity was never presented. The situation left Tate jaded and on the outside of the UFC latest endeavor, at least for the time being.

While Tate has a right to be somewhat upset by the announcement, I believe there is a way to resolve the issues at hand.

If her fear is that a Carmouche upset will bring the UFC’s vision of a women’s division to a crashing halt, the best option is to build a number one contender to the bantamweight crown. But rather than simply place Tate in the “on deck” position, the organization needs to line her up with the one female fighter other than Rousey the MMA world goes crazy for — a Brazilian wrecking machine who goes by the name “Cyborg”.

Here is why I believe a Tate vs. Cyborg fight makes all the sense in the world.

Bringing Depth to the Picture

At the present time, Rousey versus Carmouche is the only WMMA fight on the UFC’s agenda. In the past, White’s biggest point of contention with bringing women into the UFC fold was a question of depth. He didn’t believe there was enough marketable talent in the 135-pound ranks to build a solid division. While Invicta and Strikeforce have proven there are plenty of talented fighters who compete in that weight class, the hard truth comes down to the ability to sell those women to the UFC’s core audience.

At the previously mentioned press conference in Seattle, White admitted the real fight the organization wanted to launch their venture into WMMA would have been Rousey vs. Cyborg. This ultimately wasn’t possible because the February time line wouldn’t provide Cyborg with a large enough window to cut down from featherweight to make the 135-pound requirement.

With the main event set for UFC 157, this extends the window for Cyborg to not only make the cut down to bantamweight, but to also take a fight in the interim. If Tate was willing to take a bout with the former champion, it would provide the UFC with another marketable women’s matchup and determine a true number one contender.

The fight could potentially take place in late Spring or early Summer, therefore setting up a perfect time line for the winner to get a title shot and adding another marketable option for the promotion.

Tate Can Prove A lot By Facing Cyborg

During her meteoric rise to stardom, the biggest knock on the current champion is that she allegedly chose a lighter weight class in order to avoid facing Cyborg in the early stages of her career. Now with the UFC firmly invested in the Rousey business, she has all the leverage to call the shots. Should Tate maneuver herself into a position where she requests a fight with Cyborg, it could serve to be a strength in the only place Rousey has been questioned.

The biggest cause for concern in this situation is of course the style of fight the Chute Boxe vet brings to the cage. Tate uses a grapple-heavy approach and has struggled when facing an opponent with solid striking skills. In her most recent outing against Greg Jackson-trained Julie Kedzie, Tate was getting dotted up on the feet before securing a fight ending armbar late in the fight.

By comparison, Cyborg’s striking ability is on a different planet than the one Kedzie resides, and it is a land filled with brutal knees, elbows and knockout power in both hands. The 27-year old works behind an ultra-aggressive attacking style and if Tate could weather the initial storm, the opportunity to put the fight on the canvas could present itself. Then again, surviving Cyborg’s initial onslaught is easier said than done, but Tate’s wrestling chops could present an interesting challenge for the Brazilian.

If Tate was able to defeat Cyborg before Rousey was ever able to step in against her, the notoriety gained would raise Tate’s stock exponentially. It is also serves to be said that simply calling Cyborg out and agreeing to take the fight, would show the UFC it might be time to heavily invest in the Tate business as well. Win or lose, Tate would get a piece of the spotlight she is looking for.

White said this past week women aren’t exactly kicking down the door to fight Rousey, and if that is the case, fewer women are coming anywhere near the door to where Cyborg lives. Should Tate be the brave soul to march up those front steps and throw a police-style knock on that door, the respect factor which appears to be bypassing her could land squarely on her shoulders.

By taking the fight no one wants, Tate would make a statement far more poignant than anything she said to the media this past weekend.

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Dominant Victory over Diaz Coronates Henderson as King of Lightweight Division

Going into his bout with Nate Diaz this past Saturday night at UFC on Fox 5, champion Benson Henderson seemingly had much to prove. Despite having earned and defended the lightweight title, there was a sense that the 155-pound strap didn’t rightfully belong to him—this due, in large part, to his two victories over former champion Frankie Edgar coming in razor-thin and controversial fashion.

In facing a brash opponent the likes of Diaz, “Smooth” finally had an opportunity to silence the critics. The Stockton native had battered and smashed his way to a title opportunity and made no secret that he was bringing the scrap directly to Henderson’s doorstep.

Questions lingered as to how the MMA Lab product would react to Diaz‘s unique methods, but as soon as the action got underway in the night’s main event, Henderson wasted zero time in showing the world why he is the undisputed UFC lightweight champion.

For five rounds, the 28-year-old imposed his will on the Season Five TUF winner as he slammed, dropped and hammered the younger of the Diaz brothers. Henderson’s pressure was relentless, and he overwhelmed Diaz from start to finish. In moments where Diaz attempted his classic posturing, Henderson made him pay for it in grand fashion, as he dropped the Cesar Gracie-trained fighter shortly after Diaz dropped his hands and extended his chin.

When the final bell sounded, the night belonged to Henderson, and he made his second successful title defense in unquestionable fashion. To most it looked like another night of a champion doing his thing. But to this writer, it was a clear statement made to the rest of the super-competitive lightweight division that Henderson has no plans of going back down the ladder.

Line Them Up

Post-fight press conferences have been known to present their fair share of awkward moments, but when Henderson was continuously questioned about who he would like to fight next, the champion attempted to mask his annoyance while still addressing the question. In a weight class rich with potential contenders, there is no shortage of exciting matchups waiting just around the corner.

At the current time there are a handful of fighters within striking distance of a title opportunity. At next month’s UFC on Fox 6 card, there is a showdown between Donald Cerrone and Anthony Pettis, which could easily determine who gets the next crack at Henderson’s belt.

While the current champion has already defeated Cerrone on two occasions under the WEC banner, since “Cowboy” has transitioned to the Octagon, he has been a force to be reckoned with. His only setback since leaving the “little blue cage” of the WEC has come at the hands of Diaz, but the Colorado native bounced back strong with victories over Jeremy Stephens and Melvin Guillard.

Things have been slightly different for Pettis. After defeating Henderson to earn the WEC lightweight championship in 2010, “Showtime” has fallen into a pattern where momentum has been difficult to build. He was originally slated to face the winner of Edgar vs. Maynard at UFC 125, but after that fight ended in a draw and an immediate rematch was scheduled, Pettis was pushed to the sidelines.

Rather than wait things out, the Duke Roufus-trained fighter agreed to a bout with Clay Guida, where he was ultimately defeated via unanimous decision. The loss pushed Pettis out of the immediate picture, but after earning victories over Stephens and Joe Lauzon at UFC 144, the 25-year-old has once again positioned himself in title contention range.

The winner of their bout on January 26th in Chicago could be granted the next shot at the UFC lightweight strap, but there is another name floating around that could put a nix on both fighters’ title hopes.

Strikeforce lightweight champion Gilbert Melendez has been battling to be recognized as one of the top 155-pound fighters in the world for years. Fighting outside the UFC banner has made this task all the more difficult, but after building a six-fight win streak and holding the title for more than four years, Melendez has been a staple atop the lightweight rankings.

The biggest issue in this scenario comes with Melendez’s current situation with Strikeforce. All signs point to the San Jose-based organization being on its deathbed. But until his contract situation is sorted out and the UFC brings the 30-year-old into the fold, it appears Melendez will remain in limbo. Should Zuffa be able to get this done in somewhat quick fashion, the time line would be perfect for a Henderson vs. Melendez battle of champions.

Chasing Anderson Silva

By earning the lightweight crown and defending the strap on two occasions, there is little doubt Henderson has made the most of his 2012. Since coming into the UFC, he has consistently faced top competition and made the most of every opportunity that has come his way. In becoming champion of an ultra-competitive division, a target has been firmly placed on his back. From listening to Henderson speak, it is a situation he not only enjoys, but also prefers.

He wants to face the best in the world, and he is in the perfect weight class for those tests to come fast and furious. Over the next 12 months, Henderson could be matched up with the likes of Pettis, Cerrone, Melendez, Maynard or even former Bellator champion Eddie Alvarez. This guarantees that the title fights in the lightweight division are going to bring challenges of the highest caliber.

In the past, Henderson has been vocal about his intentions to eclipse Anderson Silva’s record of title defenses, a point he reiterated this weekend in Seattle. Should he be able to work his way through the onslaught of talent coming his way, we could finally see B.J. Penn dethroned as the greatest lightweight champion of all time.

Will this ultimately come to pass?

It is too early to answer that question at this time. But I guarantee it is going to be exciting finding out just how far Henderson’s talent can take him.

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B.J. Penn Reflects on the Uncertain Journey of His Storied Career

Every fighter’s journey through mixed martial arts is different. In most cases, victory and defeat dictates every step, ultimately shaping the direction a career will travel, but every now and again, a fighter comes along who doesn’t fit in…

If ever there was a mixed martial artist who matched this description it is B.J. Penn.

For more than a decade “The Prodigy” has been one of the sport’s biggest stars. Along the way the 33-year-old has championed two different weight classes and cemented his place in the chapters of UFC history. It has been a storied career filled with highs and lows, twists and turns but all done for the love of the fight.

It has been a diverse experience for the proud Hawaiian and one that continues to unfold. He knows the acclaim which comes from achieving greatness in the sport but also knows the weight of disappointment from the times his career has been pushed to the boundaries of irrelevancy.

No matter the situation, Penn has always come back swinging.

His passion for the battle has created a legion of devoted fans unmatched by any fighter—past or present—and the emotions created by their support goes beyond words for the Hilo native.

It is a journey which has taken Penn from the island shores to a legend in the sport of mixed martial arts. In good times and bad, every moment has mattered and even Penn himself isn’t certain how everything came to be.

“I don’t know how I got in this position,” Penn said with a smile. “I don’t know how I ended up as a professional athlete. I’m not a kid who played baseball when he was young, then played in college and ended up in the major leagues. I really don’t know how this all happened. I was just along for the ride and went from step-to-step, always looking at what I could do next.

“When I look back, I’m like, ‘man…I’ve been in the UFC for a decade.’ I’ve won championships, accomplished different things, but it all seems crazy to me how I got to where I’m at as a professional fighter.”

“I saw an article recently that talked about how I still hold court with the fans. All these big names and everybody still get excited about me. People getting excited to hear about my training or what I’m doing; that is really amazing to me. I always ask my family and my friends, ‘Why do the fans like me so much? I’m the biggest f-up there is.’ Is it because I represent the average man? Is it because I’m a fat guy trying to go out there and give it his best shot like everybody else? I don’t know exactly what it is but I’ll tell you right now it blows me away. I don’t understand it, but I definitely appreciate and love my fans.”

Penn has spent a career forging his own path. It has been a unique approach in a sport where the majority of stars operate in well-traveled lanes. Some decisions have created conflict and tensions, while others have lifted Penn to great heights.

Breaking new ground and visiting both ends of the spectrum of success have created an internal struggle for Penn and it is a battle he believes he has finally resolved once and for all.

“I don’t know how my life came to be this,” Penn said. “It’s like a love/hate relationship. I loved fighting as a kid, didn’t like it so much in the middle of my career, fell in love with it again, wasn’t happy how my last fight went and needed time away. Right now—I’m in love with it. At this moment in time—I’m in love with it. I don’t know why it has always been that way for me, going through it was a love/hate relationship, but right now I’m living it up.”

With his body, mind and spirit rejuvenated, Penn will look to add another chapter to his career when he faces surging prospect Rory MacDonald at UFC on Fox 5 in Seattle, Wash. The spotlight will once again focus on the talent, the passion and the expectations created on the promise of past performances.

In front of a sold-out crowd in the Key Arena, Penn will prepare to once again make that walk to the Octagon. It has become a signature moment for MMA fans to witness. On Saturday night, when he hears that first notes of the ukulele playing from “Hawaii 78,” the fighter, father, former champion and legend will make his way to the Octagon to put everything on the line. It is the only way he knows, and he plans on bringing it all down on MacDonald.

“When that song comes on I know everybody is tuned in and it’s time,” Penn said. “It is hard for me to talk about that song honestly. Sometimes I wonder if I have done that song disrespect because I haven’t been on a winning streak. Does the song still give me the same fire it did years ago? We will see. But I have a feeling come Saturday night, I am going to feel the same way I felt the first time I walked out to it. I just feel something right now. I don’t know what it is but it is a great feeling.

“Crow has been on the menu way too many times for me to sit here and say I’m going to go out there and knock him out in 10 seconds. But I’m going to give him hell and I’m bringing hell with me into that cage Saturday.”

Duane Finley is a Featured Columnist for Bleacher Report. Unless otherwise noted, all quotes were obtained firsthand.

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