The UFC’s first return to Japan since 2000 is less than three weeks away and will feature one of the most anticipated matchups of the year between UFC lightweight champion Frankie Edgar and former WEC champion Benson Henderson.
Edgar has spent the better part of the last two years fighting in rematches with BJ Penn and Gray Maynard. He posted a dominant decision win over Penn at UFC 118 and knocked out Maynard in their third fight at UFC 136. It was a victory that made UFC president Dana White call him the No. 2 pound-for-pound fighter in the world.
In the co-main event, Quinton “Rampage” Jackson will take on Ultimate Fighter winner Ryan Bader. For a fighter who made a name for himself while fighting in Pride Fighting Championship, Jackson is excited to perform in front of the Japanese crowd.
Also on the card, Jake Shields will welcome Yoshihiro Akiyama to the welterweight division. Shields is coming off back-to-back losses while Akiyama is on a three-fight losing streak from his run in the middleweight division.
Other main card bouts include Mark Hunt vs. Cheick Kongo and Anthony Pettis vs. Joe Lauzon.
The card will go down February 26 at the Saitama Super Arena and be available on pay-per-view.
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