UFC 144 QB: Part 3
Whether you just have a short downtime during work, or don’t want a lengthy breakdown, these “Quick Breaks” are for you. “Quick Breaks” = short breakdowns of upcoming fights. In a summed up focus of strengths, weaknesses and variables, this column will analyze what could happen in the fight and end with this writer’s prediction.
Headlining the UFC’s return to Japan (UFC 144) is the lightweight championship. Frankie Edgar will be putting his belt on the line against top contender Benson Henderson, a former WEC champion himself. Topping off a very stacked card, the main event is slated to be one of the best fights of the night.
In the blue corner you have Benson Henderson, who is 15-2 and riding a three-fight winning streak, unbeaten since coming into the UFC. He brings an explosive power and submission game that poses a dangerous threat to anyone at lightweight, and Henderson certainly wants to get back to his WEC days of finishing his fights.
In the red corner stands current champ, Frankie Edgar. After dealing with grueling battles with Gray Maynard and his rise to fame against BJ Penn, Edgar is now ready to take on the pool of talent that is the rest of the lightweight division. Edgar is 14-1-1, or 14, Gray and Gray. He is on a six-fight winning streak, and brings a unique quickness and resilience to his fights.
The question will be if Henderson can get his hands on him. Edgar is known for getting in and out when he strikes, and has excellent footwork. Through being beaten down, twice, and then coming out alive and still the champ, he has shown the world what the heart of a warrior truly is.
Henderson is a great striker, and has a decent size advantage over the champ. He has a two-inch reach on Edgar, and has proven his own resilience in his fights. From watching his fights, it is clear that Henderson is not an easy guy to put away. Henderson’s ability to finish a fight is superior to anything Maynard has done recently, therefore he poses a significantly greater threat than Maynard. Henderson has great jiu-jitsu and is a black belt in Tae Kwon Do, making him a threat wherever the fight goes.
This fight has the potential to win any of the “Of the Night” awards, and should prove to be a great climactic end to a great night of fights.
Prediction: Benson Henderson wins via TKO in the 1st round.
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