The UFC on FOX 5 show will have no shortage of talent on Saturday night, as the card features three current or former world champions who are set to face three equally talented rising contenders.
Billed as one of the biggest MMA cards on network television in the recent “Road to the Octagon” special, each of this weekend’s main card fights has the potential to steal the show. However, you’d be hard-pressed to find a bout with more potential for fireworks than the lightweight title fight between champ Benson Henderson and challenger Nate Diaz.
There’s a good reason why Henderson vs. Diaz is headlining UFC on FOX 5, and it has everything to do with their exciting fighting styles. Look through their list of accomplishments, and their resumes pretty much speak for themselves.
Combined, Henderson and Diaz have earned 15 fight night bonuses under the Zuffa banner, with a total of nine Fight of the Night awards between the two. “Smooth” even has two Fight of the Year awards under his belt stemming from his WEC title fights with Anthony Pettis and Donald Cerrone, while Diaz boasts an impressive five Submission of the Night honors during his UFC tenure.
Tenacity, skill and a never-say-die attitude have aided these two top lightweights on their impressive runs to the pinnacle of the division and should make for an historic battle on Saturday night.
Henderson, a powerful and athletic 155er, brings a unique skill set that I doubt Diaz has ever faced before. Not only is “Smooth” strong and extremely well-conditioned, but his fantastic mix of powerful strikes and kicks, slick submission skills and a solid wrestling base, makes the well-rounded Henderson a difficult champ to dethrone.
Henderson has the uncanny ability to wiggle out of even the tightest of submissions, which should make for an interesting battle on the ground opposite Diaz‘s black belt level BJJ skills.
The Stockton born lightweight also has insane boxing skills and cardio for days, so expect both guys to test each other in virtually every aspect of the game. I wouldn’t be surprised if this bout fills all five rounds with non-stop action.
While I’m still torn over who I think will come out victorious this weekend, I am certain that this fight will steal the show and possibly go down as one of the year’s most exciting match-ups.
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