These “Quick Breaks” are short breakdowns of upcoming fights. In a summed-up focus of strengths, weaknesses and variables, we’ll analyze what could happen in the fight and end with a prediction.
The UFC puts on another free event here in April and brings the action back to FOX Saturday. Two of the world’s greatest lightweight fighters will meet inside the Octagon and one will bring home the belt. This is a showdown between a former WEC champion and a former Strikeforce champion, with the two coming together in the UFC to throw down for the seat on the throne.
In the blue corner, you have Gilbert Melendez. “El Nino” had been on a tear in Strikeforce, attaining and defending his title for years. Ultimately, he remains as the final champion for the Strikeforce lightweight division before the promotion was nixed.
Melendez is riding a seven-fight winning streak and now will try his luck against UFC talent. It has always been a curiosity to see how the champ of Strikeforce would fare against the UFC lightweights, and this will be his opportunity to show he truly is the best in the division, no matter the banner it is under.
In the red corner, you have Benson Henderson. “Smooth” has been extremely impressive since the WEC merger, racking up a six-fight winning streak of his own and winning the UFC title as well. He has defended it twice and now looks to solidify his presence on top with a decisive win over Melendez.
Henderson was a former champion himself in WEC, but he lost his final match before the promotion was stopped. While others have buckled under the pressure of UFC debut jitters, Bendo has lit a fire under himself and has looked better than ever since arriving in the UFC.
This is a fight that should be an excellent striking display, but it’s more than likely that it will end on the ground.
Melendez is great with takedowns and ground-and-pound, but Bendo poses a significant submission forte that could put “El Nino” in some danger. The kicks from Bendo will give him a distance range on the feet, and his overall size helps him regardless of the virtually identical height and reach.
Bendo is a very tough man to finish, and Melendez has been on decision streaks recently, too.
This is an opportunity to see one of these strikers get a TKO/KO finish, and if it does end that way, Bendo takes the technical-striking edge. If this fight goes to the ground, it could be a dominant, grinding decision for Melendez or a fantastic submission victory for the champ.
Prediction: Benson Henderson wins via submission in the first or second round.
Join the MMA Facebook Page and follow the @FightersCreed on Twitter!
Read more MMA news on BleacherReport.com