Author: Mike Hodges

Benson Henderson: I’m More Than Willing to Give Frankie Edgar a Rematch

Benson Henderson has become the topic of discussion since capturing the UFC lightweight title from Frankie Edgar at UFC 144.Henderson, who outlasted Edgar in a five-round bout, appeared on “The MMA Hour” to reflect on his latest victory and his future …

Benson Henderson has become the topic of discussion since capturing the UFC lightweight title from Frankie Edgar at UFC 144.

Henderson, who outlasted Edgar in a five-round bout, appeared on “The MMA Hour” to reflect on his latest victory and his future at 155 pounds.

Since UFC 144, Edgar has voiced his interest on a rematch with the current 155-pound champion, while UFC president Dana White sees a future for the former champion at 145 pounds to prevent the UFC lightweight division from being stagnant.

But Henderson sees things differently and he said he would accept a rematch with “The Answer.”

“I’m more than willing to give Frankie (Edgar) a rematch. Let’s do it. Set it up for tomorrow,” Henderson said.

“He had a rough road with two rematches right away after his title defenses. So the fan in me feels that he deserves (the rematch).” 

But while Edgar waits in line for his rematch with Henderson, so too do other challengers like Anthony Pettis. 

Pettis was the last man to defeat Henderson when the two competitors met in the main event at WEC 53. His latest victory over Joe Lauzon has prompted “Showtime” to request his own matchup with the champion, but Henderson says Pettis’ recent performances haven’t been impressive to warrant one just yet.

“Does someone who has a split decision over someone who is not ranked, and then has a pretty good win against the No. 10 guy, is he deserving of a title shot because of those two wins?” he said. “Do I want to face Pettis again? Absolutely. We will see each other again.”

With being a champion, there comes certain responsibilities to retain the title. Henderson said he understands his role at as UFC champion and he wants to prove it in every fight he has.

“Hopefully people will start to realize and understand, I will fight anybody. I don’t care. I’m going to smash them,” he said.

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Rampage Jackson Says He Used Testosterone Replacement Therapy Prior to UFC 144

In an attempt to regain his position within the light heavyweight division, in turn, Quinton “Rampage” Jackson delivered an uninspiring performance against Ryan Bader at UFC 144.Jackson said a knee injury had hindered his performance last weekend and h…

In an attempt to regain his position within the light heavyweight division, in turn, Quinton “Rampage” Jackson delivered an uninspiring performance against Ryan Bader at UFC 144.

Jackson said a knee injury had hindered his performance last weekend and he was prescribed Testosterone Replacement Therapy by his doctor to help treat the injury. 

It was the first time the 33-year-old had experimented with the drug, and while he said it was effective, it did also contribute to his weight gain which caused him to miss the 205-pound weight limit by six pounds.

“I started hitting it up pretty good, I still gotta take care of my knee but I feel like a 25-year-old again … I got stronger, lifting weights,” Jackson told FightersOnly.com. 

Jackson was aware of other fighters’ usage of TRT as a performance-enhancing drug and he was hesitant on taking it. Ultimately, Jackson decided to oblige and not back out of his non-title bout with Bader, for the sake of the Japanese fans.

“So I spoke to the UFC and they were like, ‘Yeah, a lot of fighters are probably doing it but not telling anyone.’ Me, I keep it real, I am not doing anything wrong,” he said. “I feel young again. I’m happy I did the testosterone, I wish I had known about it sooner.”

Jackson has now dropped back-to-back losses for the first time in his career, but he said he has no intention to retire anytime soon.

It is unsure of where Jackson’s future lies in the light heavyweight division, but a rumored matchup involving Mauricio “Shogun” Rua might just be the one bout that motivates Jackson to prolong his career.

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Rampage Jackson Talks Knee Injury Following UFC 144, Says He Wasn’t 100 Percent

Quinton “Rampage” Jackson tried his best to pull off a vintage performance at UFC 144.But a preexisting knee injury hindered his performance and cost him a valuable win against light heavyweight prospect Ryan Bader.The loss left Jackson feeling disappo…

Quinton “Rampage” Jackson tried his best to pull off a vintage performance at UFC 144.

But a preexisting knee injury hindered his performance and cost him a valuable win against light heavyweight prospect Ryan Bader.

The loss left Jackson feeling disappointed, and he discussed the extent of the injury in his post-fight interview with Ariel Helwani.

“I got hurt and I couldn’t run much, so I had to cut a lot of weight,” Jackson said. “A big part of me wanted to pull out of the fight, when I got hurt, but I didn’t want to disappoint the Japanese fans.”

Jackson was noticeably stockier than usual at the UFC 144 weigh-ins a day before, as he missed the 205-pound weight limit and tipped the scales at 211 lbs. As a result, he was forced to forfeit 20 percent of his fight purse.

Jackson has now dropped back-to-back fights for the first time in his career and is now 9-4 in the UFC.

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Frankie Edgar Wants Immediate Rematch with Benson Henderson, Will Stay at 155

Frankie Edgar doesn’t intend on going down to 145 pounds any time soon.Edgar lost the UFC lightweight title to Benson Henderson in the main event at UFC 144 last weekend and feels that he deserves a rematch considering the competitive nature of the tit…

Frankie Edgar doesn’t intend on going down to 145 pounds any time soon.

Edgar lost the UFC lightweight title to Benson Henderson in the main event at UFC 144 last weekend and feels that he deserves a rematch considering the competitive nature of the title bout.

The Answer said he went through the same process with BJ Penn and Gray Maynard respectively, and expects the same treatment.

“I think it’s fair. I think the fans want to see it. It was fight of the night,” Edgar said during a guest appearance on The MMA Hour with Ariel Helwani. 

The UFC has yet to address Edgar’s situation, but it appears that UFC management has other plans in mind for the former UFC lightweight champion.

Following the event, UFC President Dana White expressed interest in seeing Edgar drop down to the featherweight division and challenge 145-pound champion Jose Aldo.

But Edgar said he is comfortable competing against bigger opposition at 155 pounds, and although transitioning to featherweight might be more suitable, Edgar said he would still be at a size disadvantage versus Aldo. Edgar added that the Brazilian cuts more weight to make the 145-pound weight limit than he does to make 155 pounds.

Edgar wants to remain in the lightweight division, but he wouldn’t rule out a possible move down to featherweight in the future, but he said he would make the decision under his own terms.

“I’m staying at 155,” he said. “This is where I’m at right now. I still feel like I got a run left. I still want that title back.”

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Carlos Condit Willing To Wait for Georges St-Pierre

Newly-crowned UFC Interim Welterweight Champion Carlos Condit isn’t willing to give up his chance to face Georges St-Pierre.Condit, who beat Nick Diaz at UFC 143, said he is aware of the other potential challengers that await him, but he is content on …

Newly-crowned UFC Interim Welterweight Champion Carlos Condit isn’t willing to give up his chance to face Georges St-Pierre.

Condit, who beat Nick Diaz at UFC 143, said he is aware of the other potential challengers that await him, but he is content on meeting St-Pierre, who is expected to return from a knee injury later this year.

“I would like to fight Georges St-Pierre,” Condit told MMAFightng.com. “An opportunity to fight Georges St-Pierre could come once in a lifetime and not only is he the UFC welterweight champion, but I have been waiting to fight him for months.”

Condit has been on a tear since merging into the UFC from the WEC in 2009, earning victories over Jake Ellenberger, Rory McDonald and Dong-Hyun-Kim.

Despite only having competed once this year, Condit won’t mind waiting for the champion to heal up.

“I am at a great camp. I have pretty realistic sparring so it’s not like I’m gathering ring rust or anything,” he said. “I am improving, constantly evolving as a fighter, and I think I’m going to come out and become a better and a more capable fighter when Georges is ready.” 

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Anthony Pettis: Benson Henderson Doesn’t Want to Fight Me

After recently being crowned UFC lightweight champion, Benson Henderson doesn’t seem to be short on challengers.While former champion Frankie Edgar has been seeking an immediate rematch with Henderson, Anthony Pettis has also been requesting a second b…

After recently being crowned UFC lightweight champion, Benson Henderson doesn’t seem to be short on challengers.

While former champion Frankie Edgar has been seeking an immediate rematch with Henderson, Anthony Pettis has also been requesting a second bout with the newly-crowned champion.

Pettis outlasted Henderson in a five-round title bout at WEC 53, thanks to his infamous “Showtime Kick,” which helped award him the victory.

Henderson has a list of contenders lined up to face him, but he recently told MMAFighting.com that Pettis shouldn’t be one of them.

Pettis was a recent guest on ProMMARadio and responded to Henderson’s comments. He believes that the former WEC lightweight champion is hesitant to face him in a rematch.

“I mean, he just won the belt and he doesn’t want to give it up that quick and if he fights against me, he’s not going to hold on to that belt for awhile,” Pettis said. “So, if I was him, I wouldn’t want to fight me either.”

Pettis rebounded off a loss to Clay Guida to defeat Jeremy Stephens and Joe Lauzon, who he knocked out at UFC 144 this past weekend. The win was another highlight knockout for Pettis, who feels his current two-fight win streak earns him a title shot.

“There is no clear number one contender in the UFC (lightweight) division except myself,” he said. “Let’s set this up, let’s see who’s really number one in the lightweight division.”

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