Ben Henderson and Frankie Edgar have a date on February 26, and the former WEC champion won’t be bringing flowers.
After routing Clay Guida at UFC on FOX, “Bendo” is already talking strategy in his upcoming UFC title bout with Edgar, and it could involve adding a few extra pounds of muscle.
“I knew at some point in time I was hoping I would get a chance to face him. You could definitely say I was breaking down some film and watching him, seeing what I do in this situation, what I would do in that situation,” Henderson told MMAJunkie after the post-UFC on FOX press conference.
“I’m sure [Edgar] is used to it, but it’s definitely something I want to take advantage of––my size. I want to get as big as possible, bulk up a little bit and do a good job of cutting weight, re-hydrating – do a very scientific job of that to be as big as possible, size-wise, shape-wise, to my advantage.”
Edgar has set himself apart from the rest of the lightweight division with his speed and resilience.
If Henderson can cut off angles and close the distance, he presents some unique problems for the lightweight champ.
Coming over from the WEC, Henderson has completely erased the stigma that fighters in the UFC’s sister promotion were inferior.
Since his UFC arrival, Henderson has dominated incredibly tough opposition in Guida, Jim Miller and Mark Bocek. Now, fans and fighters are finally giving him the respect he deserves.
“I think myself and a lot of the other WEC guys, we’ve proven – we’ve said everything that needs to be said. Me personally, I don’t like to talk too much about it. I like to let my actions speak for themselves inside the cage, inside the octagon,” said Henderson.
“It is what it is. It’s all said and done. I think our actions, myself, ‘Cowboy’ Cerrone and a bunch of other guys. Our actions inside the octagon have spoken for themselves.”
Henderson’s actions have certainly spoken, and they have earned him a UFC title shot with Edgar at the Saitama Super Arena in Saitama, Japan at UFC 144.
When asked to give his opinion on the upcoming lightweight showdown, Guida seemed just as excited as fans and the two men involved.
“I think that’s a very interesting match-up between him and Frankie Edgar,” said Guida. “Between me and Frankie, we’re the two smallest guys in the division, I think. I think we fight with the biggest heart. Ben is right there. He fights with a lot of heart and emotion. He feeds off the crowd.”
“He’s a tough kid, and he deserves that shot in Japan. It’s going to be awesome. I’m going to be sitting and watching that one close.”
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