Summer is almost here.Sure, it already feels like it is 147 degrees outside with humidity at 100 percent but summer does not officially begin until June 20th.And from June 20th until September 21st, the last day of summer, fans will be treated to a lot…
Summer is almost here.
Sure, it already feels like it is 147 degrees outside with humidity at 100 percent but summer does not officially begin until June 20th.
And from June 20th until September 21st, the last day of summer, fans will be treated to a lot of fantastic MMA action from around the globe.
The UFC will hold nine events all by themselves during the summer schedule. Strikeforce will hold one event in July and a second in August. And of course, Bellator and other promotions will chip in during the three month period.
Even with the slew of injuries that have been sustained there are an incredible amount of fun fights coming your way. Yes, even at UFC 147.
Let’s take a peak at what is to come and try to keep you indoors in the comfort of your air conditioning and chilled beverages.
When many people think of boxing, they think of the golden era of the welterweight division, and four names are quickly and fondly recalled: Marvin Hagler, Tommy Hearns, “Sugar” Ray Leonard and Roberto Duran.In the 80’s it was a great…
When many people think of boxing, they think of the golden era of the welterweight division, and four names are quickly and fondly recalled: Marvin Hagler, Tommy Hearns, “Sugar” Ray Leonard and Roberto Duran.
In the 80’s it was a great time to be a boxing fan because huge fights were always lurking around the corner, and when they came to pass, they lived up to the hype.
The same can be said for the lightweight division in the UFC.
Thus far, we have enjoyed some incredible fights to cap off this “new” era, ushered in when Frankie Edgar dethroned the great BJ Penn.
Frankie Edgar had two fantastic wars with Gray Maynard, Nate Diaz had damn good scrap with Donald Cerrone, Edgar lost his title in another great fight against Benson Henderson—and that’s really just the beginning.
Consider the names in the division; all men who could fight for the title and take the belt: Frankie Edgar, Anthony Pettis, Gray Maynard, Nate Diaz, Donald Cerrone and current champion Benson Henderson.
Then, further imagine how the division would be impacted if Penn returned, which is, in all honestly, the division that suits him best. And of course, it might just be a matter of time before Gilbert Melendez is in the UFC, fighting to prove his claim at being the best lightweight in the world.
Thinking about all the possible matchups—each one with clear divisional ramifications—makes the mouth water.
We have the rematch between Edgar and Henderson for the title, and then we have Diaz waiting in line for the winner.
After, we have Pettis as a clear threat and probably next in rotation for title contention. If Henderson still holds the belt, we will get to see a rematch of these two men. Who can forget their last fight that saw Pettis land perhaps the greatest head kick in MMA history?
And all of these men have the skills and the styles to defeat almost anyone else on any given night.
Unlike other divisions where the top of the class is so far over the top of the rest of the division that there is only three or four names of note, the lightweight division is brimming with true contenders.
When looking at the top ten at lightweight, speculating as to who’s the best is many times like splitting hairs.
And the bigger the sport grows, the more new talent emerges.
The lighter weight classes have always been exciting, but now almost anyone in the top ten can take the title.
By the end of 2013, we may see many champions crowned and dethroned, but for sure, the best interests of the title will be served.
After becoming the first man to stop Jim Miller at UFC on FOX Nate Diaz earned himself a title shot against the winner of this summer’s rematch between Frankie Edgar and Benson Henderson.The submission of Miller extended his current win streak to three…
After becoming the first man to stop Jim Miller at UFC on FOX Nate Diaz earned himself a title shot against the winner of this summer’s rematch between Frankie Edgar and Benson Henderson.
The submission of Miller extended his current win streak to three fights and placed him atop the other contenders in the UFC’s lightweight division. Diaz is undefeated since returning to the lightweight division after a 2-2 stint at welterweight.
The current champion, Benson Henderson, is riding a four-fight win streak that was capped off in Japan by winning the championship via a close decision against Frankie Edgar. The contentious decision victory set-up an instant rematch against Edgar, leaving the remainder of the division in flux once again as contenders such as Diaz sit on the shelf and wait.
All four of Henderson’s UFC victories have come by way of decision, including one against Jim Miller. Diaz, on the other hand, has finished his opponents in over half of his 11 UFC victories.
The rematch between Henderson and Edgar is slated for August 11th in Denver. While Diaz will be waiting for some time for that title shot it is never too early to take a look at the potential fight with the current UFC Lightweight Champion. We take a look at potentially the most exciting fight of the year.
The lightweight division has seen a transformation in determining prospects from the contenders, but it has remained stagnant. However, current UFC lightweight champion Benson Henderson intends on stringing a few title defenses together, hoping to…
The lightweight division has seen a transformation in determining prospects from the contenders, but it has remained stagnant.
However, current UFC lightweight champion Benson Henderson intends on stringing a few title defenses together, hoping to fulfill a dominant title reign.
After challenging for the lightweight crown at UFC 144, Henderson will now be defending it against the same man whom he challenged just three months prior, Frankie Edgar.
“I think a part of that is Dana White being the big boss man and head honcho, scored the fight another way. He felt that fight warranted an immediate rematch, which is fine by me. It’s cool,” Henderson said in an exclusive interview with BloodyElbow.com.
After their first matchup was met with some controversy regarding the rightful winner, the two competitors will meet once again at UFC 150. The first encounter produced one of the most exciting and competitive bouts of this year.
While their second meeting will not be the exact same as their last, it will likely deliver the same amount of excitement, and Henderson knows he can walk away with the title around his waist.
“I had a good time in there. As far as running it back, by all means, let’s do it. We can run it back 10 times, but 10 times out of 10 times, I intend on having the same outcome,” he said.
Should Henderson successfully retain the 155-pound crown, he will have a list of hungry contenders waiting to challenge him. Names such as Nate Diaz and Anthony Pettis certainly stick out, and the former WEC star is aware of what they bring to the Octagon and how to beat them.
“As far as Nate Diaz, Anthony Pettis and other fighters, there’s blueprints on how to beat them,” he said. “A loss by decision will show you the blueprint, so if you want to follow that same blueprint, or game plan to a T, and if you have the skill set, you can win. I think I have a good enough skill set to implement whatever game plan my coaches and I decide to utilize in a fight.”
Hardcore UFC fans know that the Ultimate Fighting Championship has changed drastically in the last 10 years. Not only is MMA now a mainstream sport, but the look and style of the UFC’s promotion materials have slowly evolved from bright neon-colored fi…
Hardcore UFC fans know that the Ultimate Fighting Championship has changed drastically in the last 10 years.
Not only is MMA now a mainstream sport, but the look and style of the UFC’s promotion materials have slowly evolved from bright neon-colored fight posters to stylish TV commercials and YouTube videos. Even though mixed martial arts will never really shake elements like heavy metal and cheesy voice-overs, it is a welcomed change.
Still, it is fun to remember the UFC’s past style—one can’t help but laugh at Zuffa’s most recent YouTube masterpiece, “SATURDAY, SATURDAY, SATURDAY!” to see that the promotion’s marketing department is, as usual, amazingly on-point.
Before the big heavyweight bash this weekend, let’s take a look at some of the UFC’s most memorable “fan made” and official viral videos, from their most recent work to trailers from a few years ago.
The lightweight division is quickly becoming the UFC’s own best of three series.After capturing UFC gold in February, Benson Henderson is preparing to defend his lightweight title in a rematch with former champ Frankie Edgar.This bout will mark the thi…
The lightweight division is quickly becoming the UFC’s own best of three series.
After capturing UFC gold in February, Benson Henderson is preparing to defend his lightweight title in a rematch with former champ Frankie Edgar.
This bout will mark the third consecutive time the lightweight title has been defended in an immediate rematch.
While Henderson vs. Edgar was certainly a competitive bout, there wasn’t any overwhelming sense of controversy surrounding the outcome. The vast majority of fans were content in the judges giving Henderson the decision nod.
With that said, why was Edgar even granted an immediate rematch in the first place? What if Henderson loses? Should he be given another opportunity as well?
People generally aren’t rallying around Edgar because they felt he was robbed of a decision. He has generated support from the UFC and fans because he earned it. When asked to give immediate rematches to BJ Penn and Gray Maynard, Edgar never questioned or complained about the situation. He fought whoever the UFC put in front of him.
Based on pure principle alone, Edgar deserves the immediate rematch.
As for Henderson, this fight really puts him in a tough spot. He has to beat the champ twice to claim the lightweight title. Edgar was in the exact same situation in back to back bouts against Penn in 2010.
If Henderson loses, he would definitely deserve an opportunity to settle the score in an immediate rubber match, but unfortunately for “Smooth,” the road back to the title could be a little rough.
The lightweight division is easily one of the most competitive weight classes in all of MMA. There are too many contenders waiting in the wings for the division to be held up by an endless slew of rematches.
It’s time to move on.
Moving on will probably be the last thing on Henderson’s mind if he doesn’t get his hand raised at the end of the rumored UFC 150 headliner. He would seek out an immediate rematch, and while the UFC may not honor his request, they would certainly have to weigh their options.
What say you? Should the UFC offer Henderson an immediate rematch if he loses to Edgar?
Looking for some more MMA news, and perhaps a couple of laughs? Follow me on Twitter @JordyMcElroy.
When many people think of boxing, they think of the golden era of the welterweight division, and four names are quickly and fondly recalled: Marvin Hagler, Tommy Hearns, “Sugar” Ray Leonard and Roberto Duran.