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SAN JOSE, Calif. — At the UFC on FOX 7 post-fight press conference, Benson Henderson, Gilbert Melendez, Daniel Cormier and others break down their fights at the HP Pavilion. Check out the highlights above.
SAN JOSE, Calif. — At the UFC on FOX 7 post-fight press conference, Benson Henderson, Gilbert Melendez, Daniel Cormier and others break down their fights at the HP Pavilion. Check out the highlights above.
Benson Henderson took another step toward greatness at UFC on Fox 7 while once again flirting with disaster.The UFC lightweight champion fought to a narrow decision against Gilbert Melendez in Saturday’s main event, defending his belt with a split deci…
Benson Henderson took another step toward greatness at UFC on Fox 7 while once again flirting with disaster.
The UFC lightweight champion fought to a narrow decision against Gilbert Melendez in Saturday’s main event, defending his belt with a split decision win for the second time in three fights. The final Strikeforce lightweight titleholder, Melendez’s long run of success was brought to a halt by the judges’ controversial call.
Anytime there is a debatable decision in a championship match, the calls for a rematch are bound to follow.
Let’s see if that’s what could be next for Henderson and Melendez as we run through the next potential opponents for all the UFC on Fox 7 competitors.
Josh Thomson had a brief three-fight run in the UFC between 2003-04, going 2-1 in that time. After parting ways with the promotion, he spent most of his time with Strikeforce, enjoying a brief run as that promotion’s lightweight champion. Overall…
Josh Thomson had a brief three-fight run in the UFC between 2003-04, going 2-1 in that time. After parting ways with the promotion, he spent most of his time with Strikeforce, enjoying a brief run as that promotion’s lightweight champion. Overall his record was 19-5-0-1 prior to rejoining the UFC for the Fox 7 card where he met Nate Diaz.
Diaz entered the fight on a loss, dropping a unanimous decision to UFC lightweight champion Benson Henderson at UFC on Fox 5. Prior to that bout, Diaz had been on a great run, going 3-0 in the lightweight division and earning a Fight Night bonus in each of those victories.
The stakes were high in this one: Diaz needed a win to keep his name in the mix, and Thomson needed to make a strong impression in his return to the Octagon. Thomson did just that.
Thomson’s strategy early on seemed to be to attack the lead leg of his opponent, while Diaz looked to walk Thomson down so that he could utilize his boxing skills. Diaz had moments where he got in close to Thomson, but never long enough to do any damage. In some ways Thomson’s game plan was very similar to the one that Carlos Condit used to earn a victory over Nate’s older brother, Nick: keep moving and never let Diaz touch him up.
Thomson’s low kicks were utilized in the first round for a reason, and that reason was to get Diaz worried about Thomson going low. Once that seed was planted, Thomson switched things up and went high, rocking Diaz with a shin to the head and then moving in to end the fight with a ground-and-pound assault.
The stoppage didn’t seem to come soon enough for the Diaz corner, as the towel came flying into the cage moments before the referee waved the fight off.
The TKO was the first time Diaz had been stopped by strikes in his career.
Read more MMA news on BleacherReport.com
If there’s been a better UFC or even MMA show in 2013 than Saturday’s UFC on Fox 7, I can’t think of it. If there’s going to be a better one later this year, it’s going to have to be pretty special. Tonight saw a record-tying number of knockouts, a sensational fight card from top to bottom, surprising upsets, an entire fight team that appears to be improving before our very eyes and so much more.
There’s also the news of what’s next. As UFC President Dana White announced at the post-fight press conference, the winner of T.J. Grant vs. Gray Maynard will get the next title shot. While some may want a rematch for Melendez – and they’d hardly be without cause – the last Strikeforce lightweight champion is going to have to do more work in the UFC before getting another shot.
There’s also the matter of UFC vs. Strikeforce. If you’re keeping score, it was a tie tonight at 4-4.
— TJ Grant (@TJ_Grant) April 21, 2013
HENDERSON SQUEAKS BY MELENDEZ
Gil is one tough son of a gun, that was a heck of a @ufc debut, I know I’ll be seeing him again at some point…thx for the epic battle!!!
— Benson Henderson (@BensonHenderson) April 21, 2013
Dont forget the other longhair that took both Ben and Gil to split decisions!
— Clay Guida (@clayguida) April 21, 2013
I had Gil winning that fight tonight for sure , that being said , that belts very Winnable Cant wait til I get my shot !!!!!
— Edward Alvarez (@Ealvarezfight) April 21, 2013
Neither guy stepped up and tryed to Get after the other and End Him . I Fell asleep Twice during, seriously!!!! Want my turn Badddddd
— Edward Alvarez (@Ealvarezfight) April 21, 2013
I really don’t think anyone can really argue the decision there… 5 close rounds!#UFConFOX7
— Joe Lauzon (@JoeLauzon) April 21, 2013
Ben Henderson won twice in one night . What a boss !!!
— Derek Brunson (@DerekBrunsonMMA) April 21, 2013
Ben asks his GF to marry him while he’s getting boo’ed how romantic. Haha.
— Ulysses Gomez (@uselessgomez) April 21, 2013
Kudos to Henderson for using the Good Will Hunting “I came to see about a girl” line
— Ulysses Gomez (@uselessgomez) April 21, 2013
I thought #gilbertmelendez won rounds 1, 2 and 5 he’s the real champ
— Nam Phan (@NamPhanMMA) April 21, 2013
You can’t boo that fight, it was a good fight and could have went either way.
— Brad Tavares (@BradTavares) April 21, 2013
Don’t leave it to the judges! You will always get screwed!
— Reuben Duran (@ReubenDuranUFC) April 21, 2013
What was Henderson going to do if he lost? Propose in the hospital? #ufconfox7 @ufc
— Bigslow (@LukeBarnatt) April 21, 2013
I scored it 3-2 for Henderson. But it was close. Gil will be back! Round 1 & 5 Gil Round 2,3&4 Henderson
— Josh Koscheck (@JoshKoscheck) April 21, 2013
Very, very sweet. But just a note to future suitors:Never ever propose to me in the Octogon. I will hit you.
— Julie Kedzie (@julesk_fighter) April 21, 2013
Congrats to @bensonhenderson on win and engagement! #AndStill
— Tyron T-Wood Woodley (@TWooodley) April 21, 2013
I think @frankieedgar beat Henderson worse in a close fight but somehow Henderson always gets the close ones #bullshit @gilbertmelendez won
— Gian Villante (@GPVillante) April 21, 2013
I have @gilbertmelendez for the win but in the @ufc anything can happen specially when you fight ben with decisions. Right? @frankieedgar
— Roy Nelson (@roynelsonmma) April 21, 2013
Good fight by 2 great fighter’s but im sure my teammate @showtimepettis would beat both of them #ufconfox7 @ufc
— Pascal Krauss (@pascalkrauss) April 21, 2013
CORMIER CONTROLS MIR
DC can create so much power in the clinch its amazing #ufconfox7
— Jerome-Max Holloway (@BlessedMMA) April 21, 2013
Frank Mir is coming out to the same song I lost to Cole Escovedo with… This seems like a bad omen lol
— Michael McDonald (@MaydayMcDonald) April 21, 2013
@dc_mma killed it! Controlled the whole fight like a champ
— Gray Maynard (@GrayMaynard) April 21, 2013
2008 Olympic freestyle team moves to 26-0 in MMA
— Ben Askren (@Benaskren) April 21, 2013
DC is a beast. Practical Wrestling + Functional Kickboxing = Winning MMA #UFConFOX
— Mackens Semerzier (@MackDaMenaceMMA) April 21, 2013
You guys are nuts! Roy Nelson isn’t as athletic as Cormier!
— Cub Swanson (@CubSwanson) April 21, 2013
THOMSON STOPS DIAZ
Dang… I think that was the first time we have even seen Nate Diaz rocked. That must have been one heck of a kick lol
— Michael McDonald (@MaydayMcDonald) April 21, 2013
Diaz is a g tho. Dam
— John Moraga (@chicanojohn) April 21, 2013
Win or lose @natediaz209 is still and will ALWAYS be my bro, and one of the realist fighters!! #shitty ref stoppage
— Yancy Medeiros (@ymedeiros) April 21, 2013
BROWN AND MEIN PUT ON WAR
Matt Brown is a beast who just beasted! @ufc @danawhite
— Jeremy Stephens (@LiLHeathenMMA) April 21, 2013
@iamtheimmortal just wrecked it.What fight by both fighters
— Jens Pulver (@Jens_Pulver) April 21, 2013
Matt Brown brought his straight A game tonight! Impressive amigo!!
— Eddie Wineland(@EddieWineland) April 21, 2013
Great start to @ufconfox!
— Shane Victorino (@ShaneVictorino) April 21, 2013
Matt brown is an animal . Going 100mph the whole time
— Nam Phan (@NamPhanMMA) April 21, 2013
What a way to start off the fox portion of #ufconfox7 brown and mein are both beast great win for brown @ufc @mmafighting @danawhite
— Steven Siler (@Stevesiler) April 21, 2013
The love is appreciated, Thank u guys. #ProudPapa @teamalphamale
— Duane Ludwig (@DUANEBANGCOM) April 21, 2013
Team Alpha Male feels like they are 5 feet tall right now. #UFConFOX7
— MMA Roasted (@MMARoasted) April 20, 2013
Anyone think @duanebangcom has had some positive impact at Team Alpha Male? Wow, fastest rising coach in the sport! Not surprised
— Brian Stann (@BrianStann) April 20, 2013
LARKIN AND CARMONT HAVE WEIRD FIGHT
I just wanted to thank everybody for all the support ill be back #ufconfox7 #mma #ufc
— Lorenz Larkin (@da_MONSOON) April 21, 2013
.@da_monsoon just got Carmont’d like my friend @filthytomlawlor. Carmont’d = a fight where Carmont loses but still takes the “w”.
— Vinny Magalhaes (@VinnyMMA) April 20, 2013
JURY BEASTS NIJEM
I’m okay everyone. Felt fine right after. Thank you @ufc for the shot sorry to let all my fans down. Thanks for the support
— Ramsey Nijem (@RamseyNijem) April 21, 2013
TIMBER! What a freakin KO! Wow
— Eddie Wineland(@EddieWineland) April 20, 2013
Oh my god.
— Jason Highwalker(@KCBanditMMA) April 20, 2013
HOLY SHIT!!!!! That’s a KO
— Dana White (@danawhite) April 20, 2013
BENAVIDEZ OWNS UYENOYAMA
yeah !!! awesome body shot finish by @joejitsu looking awesome guys 🙂 #UFConFOX7
— Nam Phan (@NamPhanMMA) April 20, 2013
Well places body shot @joejitsu congrats amigo!
— Eddie Wineland(@EddieWineland) April 20, 2013
DILLASHAW CONTINUES TO CRUISE
Daayyyyum. This card is hot fiya so far.
— Jason Highwalker(@KCBanditMMA) April 20, 2013
Holy cow @tjdillashaw has been looking great showing complete game @ufconfox #UFConFox7 @vamtgleader @mmafighting
— Steven Siler (@Stevesiler) April 20, 2013
MEANS COMES UP SHORT
Oh well was not my night. Had a great time here in San Jose.On to the next one. Nice to meet you Jorge masvidal
— tim means (@MeansTim) April 20, 2013
AN OLYMPIAN HAS A SERIOUS UFC DEBUT
Wow… that was killer! #ChinCheck
— Dan Hardy (@danhardymma) April 20, 2013
UFC 159 HYPE
That’s a pretty aggressive bark
— Jon Bones Jones (@JonnyBones) April 21, 2013
…
— Jon Bones Jones (@JonnyBones) April 21, 2013
I can’t wait to see the look on his face as he carries the weight of all his comments come fight night
— Jon Bones Jones (@JonnyBones) April 21, 2013
It’s great to see my opponent focusing on betting odds and commentating, hope he’s ready to give me hell
— Jon Bones Jones (@JonnyBones) April 21, 2013
If there’s been a better UFC or even MMA show in 2013 than Saturday’s UFC on Fox 7, I can’t think of it. If there’s going to be a better one later this year, it’s going to have to be pretty special. Tonight saw a record-tying number of knockouts, a sensational fight card from top to bottom, surprising upsets, an entire fight team that appears to be improving before our very eyes and so much more.
There’s also the news of what’s next. As UFC President Dana White announced at the post-fight press conference, the winner of T.J. Grant vs. Gray Maynard will get the next title shot. While some may want a rematch for Melendez – and they’d hardly be without cause – the last Strikeforce lightweight champion is going to have to do more work in the UFC before getting another shot.
There’s also the matter of UFC vs. Strikeforce. If you’re keeping score, it was a tie tonight at 4-4.
— TJ Grant (@TJ_Grant) April 21, 2013
HENDERSON SQUEAKS BY MELENDEZ
Gil is one tough son of a gun, that was a heck of a @ufc debut, I know I’ll be seeing him again at some point…thx for the epic battle!!!
— Benson Henderson (@BensonHenderson) April 21, 2013
Dont forget the other longhair that took both Ben and Gil to split decisions!
— Clay Guida (@clayguida) April 21, 2013
I had Gil winning that fight tonight for sure , that being said , that belts very Winnable Cant wait til I get my shot !!!!!
— Edward Alvarez (@Ealvarezfight) April 21, 2013
Neither guy stepped up and tryed to Get after the other and End Him . I Fell asleep Twice during, seriously!!!! Want my turn Badddddd
— Edward Alvarez (@Ealvarezfight) April 21, 2013
I really don’t think anyone can really argue the decision there… 5 close rounds!#UFConFOX7
— Joe Lauzon (@JoeLauzon) April 21, 2013
Ben Henderson won twice in one night . What a boss !!!
— Derek Brunson (@DerekBrunsonMMA) April 21, 2013
Ben asks his GF to marry him while he’s getting boo’ed how romantic. Haha.
— Ulysses Gomez (@uselessgomez) April 21, 2013
Kudos to Henderson for using the Good Will Hunting “I came to see about a girl” line
— Ulysses Gomez (@uselessgomez) April 21, 2013
I thought #gilbertmelendez won rounds 1, 2 and 5 he’s the real champ
— Nam Phan (@NamPhanMMA) April 21, 2013
You can’t boo that fight, it was a good fight and could have went either way.
— Brad Tavares (@BradTavares) April 21, 2013
Don’t leave it to the judges! You will always get screwed!
— Reuben Duran (@ReubenDuranUFC) April 21, 2013
What was Henderson going to do if he lost? Propose in the hospital? #ufconfox7 @ufc
— Bigslow (@LukeBarnatt) April 21, 2013
I scored it 3-2 for Henderson. But it was close. Gil will be back! Round 1 & 5 Gil Round 2,3&4 Henderson
— Josh Koscheck (@JoshKoscheck) April 21, 2013
Very, very sweet. But just a note to future suitors:Never ever propose to me in the Octogon. I will hit you.
— Julie Kedzie (@julesk_fighter) April 21, 2013
Congrats to @bensonhenderson on win and engagement! #AndStill
— Tyron T-Wood Woodley (@TWooodley) April 21, 2013
I think @frankieedgar beat Henderson worse in a close fight but somehow Henderson always gets the close ones #bullshit @gilbertmelendez won
— Gian Villante (@GPVillante) April 21, 2013
I have @gilbertmelendez for the win but in the @ufc anything can happen specially when you fight ben with decisions. Right? @frankieedgar
— Roy Nelson (@roynelsonmma) April 21, 2013
Good fight by 2 great fighter’s but im sure my teammate @showtimepettis would beat both of them #ufconfox7 @ufc
— Pascal Krauss (@pascalkrauss) April 21, 2013
CORMIER CONTROLS MIR
DC can create so much power in the clinch its amazing #ufconfox7
— Jerome-Max Holloway (@BlessedMMA) April 21, 2013
Frank Mir is coming out to the same song I lost to Cole Escovedo with… This seems like a bad omen lol
— Michael McDonald (@MaydayMcDonald) April 21, 2013
@dc_mma killed it! Controlled the whole fight like a champ
— Gray Maynard (@GrayMaynard) April 21, 2013
2008 Olympic freestyle team moves to 26-0 in MMA
— Ben Askren (@Benaskren) April 21, 2013
DC is a beast. Practical Wrestling + Functional Kickboxing = Winning MMA #UFConFOX
— Mackens Semerzier (@MackDaMenaceMMA) April 21, 2013
You guys are nuts! Roy Nelson isn’t as athletic as Cormier!
— Cub Swanson (@CubSwanson) April 21, 2013
THOMSON STOPS DIAZ
Dang… I think that was the first time we have even seen Nate Diaz rocked. That must have been one heck of a kick lol
— Michael McDonald (@MaydayMcDonald) April 21, 2013
Diaz is a g tho. Dam
— John Moraga (@chicanojohn) April 21, 2013
Win or lose @natediaz209 is still and will ALWAYS be my bro, and one of the realist fighters!! #shitty ref stoppage
— Yancy Medeiros (@ymedeiros) April 21, 2013
BROWN AND MEIN PUT ON WAR
Matt Brown is a beast who just beasted! @ufc @danawhite
— Jeremy Stephens (@LiLHeathenMMA) April 21, 2013
@iamtheimmortal just wrecked it.What fight by both fighters
— Jens Pulver (@Jens_Pulver) April 21, 2013
Matt Brown brought his straight A game tonight! Impressive amigo!!
— Eddie Wineland(@EddieWineland) April 21, 2013
Great start to @ufconfox!
— Shane Victorino (@ShaneVictorino) April 21, 2013
Matt brown is an animal . Going 100mph the whole time
— Nam Phan (@NamPhanMMA) April 21, 2013
What a way to start off the fox portion of #ufconfox7 brown and mein are both beast great win for brown @ufc @mmafighting @danawhite
— Steven Siler (@Stevesiler) April 21, 2013
The love is appreciated, Thank u guys. #ProudPapa @teamalphamale
— Duane Ludwig (@DUANEBANGCOM) April 21, 2013
Team Alpha Male feels like they are 5 feet tall right now. #UFConFOX7
— MMA Roasted (@MMARoasted) April 20, 2013
Anyone think @duanebangcom has had some positive impact at Team Alpha Male? Wow, fastest rising coach in the sport! Not surprised
— Brian Stann (@BrianStann) April 20, 2013
LARKIN AND CARMONT HAVE WEIRD FIGHT
I just wanted to thank everybody for all the support ill be back #ufconfox7 #mma #ufc
— Lorenz Larkin (@da_MONSOON) April 21, 2013
.@da_monsoon just got Carmont’d like my friend @filthytomlawlor. Carmont’d = a fight where Carmont loses but still takes the “w”.
— Vinny Magalhaes (@VinnyMMA) April 20, 2013
JURY BEASTS NIJEM
I’m okay everyone. Felt fine right after. Thank you @ufc for the shot sorry to let all my fans down. Thanks for the support
— Ramsey Nijem (@RamseyNijem) April 21, 2013
TIMBER! What a freakin KO! Wow
— Eddie Wineland(@EddieWineland) April 20, 2013
Oh my god.
— Jason Highwalker(@KCBanditMMA) April 20, 2013
HOLY SHIT!!!!! That’s a KO
— Dana White (@danawhite) April 20, 2013
BENAVIDEZ OWNS UYENOYAMA
yeah !!! awesome body shot finish by @joejitsu looking awesome guys 🙂 #UFConFOX7
— Nam Phan (@NamPhanMMA) April 20, 2013
Well places body shot @joejitsu congrats amigo!
— Eddie Wineland(@EddieWineland) April 20, 2013
DILLASHAW CONTINUES TO CRUISE
Daayyyyum. This card is hot fiya so far.
— Jason Highwalker(@KCBanditMMA) April 20, 2013
Holy cow @tjdillashaw has been looking great showing complete game @ufconfox #UFConFox7 @vamtgleader @mmafighting
— Steven Siler (@Stevesiler) April 20, 2013
MEANS COMES UP SHORT
Oh well was not my night. Had a great time here in San Jose.On to the next one. Nice to meet you Jorge masvidal
— tim means (@MeansTim) April 20, 2013
AN OLYMPIAN HAS A SERIOUS UFC DEBUT
Wow… that was killer! #ChinCheck
— Dan Hardy (@danhardymma) April 20, 2013
UFC 159 HYPE
That’s a pretty aggressive bark
— Jon Bones Jones (@JonnyBones) April 21, 2013
…
— Jon Bones Jones (@JonnyBones) April 21, 2013
I can’t wait to see the look on his face as he carries the weight of all his comments come fight night
— Jon Bones Jones (@JonnyBones) April 21, 2013
It’s great to see my opponent focusing on betting odds and commentating, hope he’s ready to give me hell
— Jon Bones Jones (@JonnyBones) April 21, 2013
Daniel Cormier got into this whole MMA thing a little late in life, making his professional debut at the pretty advanced age, at least for a professional fighter, of 30. That debut took place in 2009 in the Strikeforce Challengers series. After 11 stra…
Daniel Cormier got into this whole MMA thing a little late in life, making his professional debut at the pretty advanced age, at least for a professional fighter, of 30. That debut took place in 2009 in the Strikeforce Challengers series. After 11 straight victories and earning the title of Strikeforce World Heavyweight Grand Prix champion, Cormier made his UFC debut on Saturday night at UFC on Fox 7.
The talk has been that Cormier, the team captain of the 2008 US Olympic wrestling squad, is a champion in the making, at whatever weight division he wants to fight in. The UFC, perhaps looking to test the mettle of Cormier, gave him the same opponent they gave Brock Lesnar when he made his UFC debut—former UFC heavyweight champion Frank Mir.
When the Octagon door locked behind the two fighters in San Jose, Cormier showed that he was more than capable of handling himself against the former champion, using his strength and clinch work to get the best of the submission artist.
Cormier held Mir against the fence at will and landed heavy body shots to score points en route to a unanimous decision victory. It may not have been the prettiest win, and it may have caused some grumbling considering eight of the fights before it ended in knockouts, but it was a win against a former champ, which should count for something, no?
Now that Cormier has gotten his first test in the UFC out of the way it will be interesting to see what his next step will be, as he has options at either heavyweight or light heavyweight.
Read more MMA news on BleacherReport.com
One of the hottest topics in the world of mixed martial arts over the past year or so has been the idea of superfights, where two standing champions square off to decide exactly who is the king of the mountain. It was kind of strange to see that sc…
One of the hottest topics in the world of mixed martial arts over the past year or so has been the idea of superfights, where two standing champions square off to decide exactly who is the king of the mountain. It was kind of strange to see that scenario play out on the UFC on Fox 7 card and not have it billed as such, especially when the term had been used in the past for fights that were far less “super.”
But hey, whatever, I’m still going to refer to Saturday night’s main event as a superfight even if the UFC will not.
In one corner, we had UFC lightweight champion Benson Henderson, winner of six straight bouts in the UFC. In the other corner stood Gilbert Melendez, Strikeforce lightweight champion and a fighter who had long been looked at as the best lightweight fighting outside the UFC. Melendez carried a seven-fight winning streak into the matchup.
The two, no strangers to going the distance in title fights, did just that in San Jose, going the full 25 minutes before a winner was declared. It was a very evenly matched bout that could have gone either way, but in the end, the split decision went the way of the UFC champion, who earned a 48-47 score from two of the judges. The third judge gave the same score, but in favor of Melendez.
Judging from the reaction of the fans in attendance, the wrong fighter earned the victory, but that may have had something to do with the fact that Melendez is a local fighter, based out of San Francisco.
As the crowd rained down its disapproval of the decision, Henderson got down on one knee and proposed to his girlfriend, who accepted. Not a bad night for Mr. Henderson.
Read more MMA news on BleacherReport.com