If your cable provider doesn’t offer Fuel and you missed the UFC 144 countdown show last night, not to worry, we got you covered again.
It’s been a quiet week media-wise for the event, mostly because the majority of the fighters on the card and the few reporters planning on attending the show have been travelling to Japan. It seems like more focus of MMA news this week has been on the upcoming Strikeforce card, which is curious considering Saturday night’s event is a decent one.
Enjoy it. After this event and UFC: Alves vs. Kampmann on March 2, there won’t be another show until UFC: Sweden on April 14. That’s a six week stretch without a UFC show. At least our wives will be happy.
Anyway, this countdown show was a decent one. It’s interesting to hear guys like ‘Rampage’ and Akiyama talk about the difference between the North American and Japanese crowds, especially when it was like comparing apples to oranges between PRIDE and the UFC. Now we’ll finally get to see the disparity first hand.
I think I was most impressed with the level of respect Akiyama showed his opponent, Jake Shields, whom he praised for his skill level and fight smarts. It’s rare to see that in a pre-fight interview. He even found a way to make boring and conservative sound better by saying that Jake “isn’t explosive.” ‘Sexyama’ could sell a Kia to a BMW enthusiast.
Check out part two after the jump.
(Video courtesy of Sapo/IronForgesIron)
If your cable provider doesn’t offer Fuel and you missed the UFC 144 countdown show last night, not to worry, we got you covered again.
It’s been a quiet week media-wise for the event, mostly because the majority of the fighters on the card and the few reporters planning on attending the show have been travelling to Japan. It seems like more focus of MMA news this week has been on the upcoming Strikeforce card, which is curious considering Saturday night’s event is a decent one.
Enjoy it. After this event and UFC: Alves vs. Kampmann on March 2, there won’t be another show until UFC: Sweden on April 14. That’s a six week stretch without a UFC show. At least our wives will be happy.
Anyway, this countdown show was a decent one. It’s interesting to hear guys like ‘Rampage’ and Akiyama talk about the difference between the North American and Japanese crowds, especially when it was like comparing apples to oranges between PRIDE and the UFC. Now we’ll finally get to see the disparity first hand.
I think I was most impressed with the level of respect Akiyama showed his opponent, Jake Shields, whom he praised for his skill level and fight smarts. It’s rare to see that in a pre-fight interview. He even found a way to make boring and conservative sound better by saying that Jake “isn’t explosive.” ’Sexyama’ could sell a Kia to a BMW enthusiast.
The upcoming UFC 144 in Japan on Saturday is stacked with championship-caliber fights. Four of the fights feature at least one fighter who has either directly competed in a championship fight or been mentioned as a top contender. One fight …
The upcoming UFC 144 in Japan on Saturday is stacked with championship-caliber fights.
Four of the fights feature at least one fighter who has either directly competed in a championship fight or been mentioned as a top contender.
One fight is a to gain ground in a suddenly tough and still growing division between two big MMA names. And finally, we have the actual Lightweight Championship fight.
I’m excited. There is so much at stake in terms of relevance for many of these fighters that it could be a while before we see them in the spotlight again.
Let’s start with the sort of “honorable mention” fight…
The UFC makes its long awaited return to Japan this weekend, set to feature one of the most anticipated title bouts of the year.Frankie Edgar will defend the UFC lightweight title against rising star and former WEC lightweight champion Benson Henderson…
The UFC makes its long awaited return to Japan this weekend, set to feature one of the most anticipated title bouts of the year.
Frankie Edgar will defend the UFC lightweight title against rising star and former WEC lightweight champion Benson Henderson.
Edgar is coming an impressive knockout victory over Gray Maynard at UFC 136, successfully retaining the title in his third defense.
Meanwhile, Henderson has defeated a list of who’s-who in the lightweight division to earn his shot at Edgar, riding a three-fight win streak since his loss to Anthony Pettis in December 2010. With the win, either Edgar or Henderson will be declared the undisputed No. 1 lightweight in the world.
Also, former UFC light heavyweight champion and PRIDE star, Quinton “Rampage” Jackson returns to his roots that made him a fan favourite among the Japanese fans. Jackson, who is coming off a loss to Jon Jones, will look to rebound when he meets Ryan Bader in the evening’s co-main event.
UFC commentator Joe Rogan breaks down some of the event’s main bouts, providing in-depth analysis, along with interviews from some of the fighters.
UFC 144 will be a monumental event and it will feature an unprecedented seven bouts on the main card, as opposed to the traditional format.
UFC 144 is live this Saturday night from the Saitama Super Arena in Tokyo.
According to MMAJunkie, Benson Henderson believes he has what it takes to surpass the records set by UFC (Ultimate Fighting Championship) middleweight champion Anderson Silva.Henderson stated:
“I don’t think me beating Frankie gets me anywhere near th…
According to MMAJunkie, Benson Henderson believes he has what it takes to surpass the records set by UFC (Ultimate Fighting Championship) middleweight champion Anderson Silva.
Henderson stated:
“I don’t think me beating Frankie gets me anywhere near the conversation. I’d have to beat Frankie and beat a couple of other guys and defend the belt – what is Anderson up to? He’s up to 12 right now? Thirteen? So after I beat whatever Anderson’s record is – whatever he stops at, 14 times, 15 times, after I beat that – then the conversation is going to begin.
“I want to be the best fighter, period,” he said. “That goal is still in my sights. I still wake up thinking about that.
“I definitely have long-term goals (and) short-term goals, but that’s been my goal since I first got into fighting – to be the best fighter on the planet,” Henderson said during a media teleconference in support of UFC 144. “No ifs, ands or buts about it.”
Silva is currently riding a 14-fight winning streak in the UFC, 15 in all MMA competitions, and to boot has defended his crown a record nine times—a feat that he achieved in less than six years.
For Henderson to accomplish those goals, his first port of call has to be the unseating of lightweight titlist Frankie Edgar in the main event of UFC 144 this weekend. If successful, his next step would be to keep said belt intact whilst compiling a respectable streak of wins, which is no mean feat, given the 155-lb division is stacked with talent.
At present, the former WEC (World Extreme Cagefighting) champion is 3-0 in the Zuffa-based organization. In that respect, Henderson has some way to go if he’s to emulate or better the records set thus far by “The Spider.”
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UFC 144 will indeed be a dynamic event and the first time the UFC has ventured into Japan since December of 2000. The Lightweight Title fight main event will showcase the challenger, Benson Henderson, squaring off with the current&n…
UFC 144 will indeed be a dynamic event and the first time the UFC has ventured into Japan since December of 2000. The Lightweight Title fight main event will showcase the challenger, Benson Henderson, squaring off with the current defending champion, Frankie Edgar, in what is sure to be a crowd pleasing affair.
Benson “Smooth” Henderson has been on an absolute tear since joining the UFC ranks after dropping his WEC Lightweight championship by decision to Anthony Pettis in the WEC’s final event. Henderson has since defeated Mark Bocek and Jim Miller, and earned his lightweight title fight by edging out Clay Guida in a fight of the year candidate.
Henderson brings to the table a wealth of mixed martial arts knowledge. He is well-versed in wrestling, jiu-jitsu, and taekwondo. Most amazing though is Henderson’s ability to live up to his nickname—he is very smooth in his movements and doesn’t ever seem to find himself in bad positions.
Henderson can utilize a 3″ height advantage, a 2″ reach advantage, and an overall size advantage to dethrone the current champ. Henderson also has tree trunks for legs that will make it very difficult for Frankie Edgar to complete takedowns against him, as was the case with Henderson’s fight with Clay Guida.
Frankie “The Answer” Edgar though has been an absolute upset machine in the UFC—though now its hard to say he is upsetting anyone. Edgar has earned a spot on the top pound-for-pound fighter list by fighting with the larger weight-class at Lightweight instead of dropping down.
Edgar has used very solid boxing and a never ending quickness to wear down and punish his opponents. Not only has he dished it out but has proven he has a pretty decent chin and a heart that allows him to come back from the brink of defeat.
So what is the answer for Benson Henderson in defeating Frankie Edgar?
Henderson isn’t the same kind of fighter that Edgar is used to. No disrespect to Edgar, but he has mostly fought one dimensional opponents to this point.
Furthermore, most have been plain type wrestlers, including Gray Maynard, Sean Sherk, and Matt Veach. They’ve combined for 14 knockouts, which seems impressive until you realize that only two occurred in the UFC. BJ Penn, a opponent that wasn’t one-dimensional, was at the end of his career and couldn’t match Edgar’s pace or endurance.
This is the problem that Henderson presents for Edgar. Not only can Henderson match Edgar’s pace and endurance, he’s also just as quick and stronger than the champion himself is.
Henderson has excellent wrestling and sprawling techniques which he demonstrated against Clay Guida. Also on display against Guida was his scrambling ability which more often than not allowed Henderson to gain the better position.
Add to the fact that Benson isn’t just a plain wrestler or one-dimensional fighter and that spells disaster for Edgar. Benson is adept at striking and he will use all types of stand-up attacks including kicks, knees, punches, and spinning attacks, all while using fantastic movement to counter punches.
This leaves Frankie Edgar searching for an answer. Edgar will have problems striking with Henderson. Edgar will have problems taking down Henderson. Edgar will have problems out-working Henderson. How will Frankie Edgar stop Henderson’s momentum? He might not have an answer.
Though the fight will no doubt be action packed, the advantages that Henderson owns over Edgar leads me to believe that Benson Henderson will walk away from the UFC 144 main event as the new UFC Lightweight Champion.
Additionally, I fully expect this to the first time in Frankie Edgar’s career that he is finished.
On February 26, 2011, the UFC will hold its highly-anticipated “UFC 144” event, featuring Frank Edgar defending his UFC Lightweight Championship against Benson Henderson. Also, former UFC Light Heavyweight Champion and former PRIDE FC mega-…
On February 26, 2011, the UFC will hold its highly-anticipated “UFC 144” event, featuring Frank Edgar defending his UFC Lightweight Championship against Benson Henderson. Also, former UFC Light Heavyweight Champion and former PRIDE FC mega-star Quinton Jackson returns to Japan for the first time since 2006.
Still, some fans may be asking themselves, why should I check out this card? Here are the top five reasons to watch UFC 144.
5. The preliminary card on FX boasts some interesting Japanese stars.
Maybe they aren’t the biggest stars right now, but back in their day, many of the fighters on the FX prelims were Japanese mega-stars.
Takanori Gomi is the most-obvious example, since he was once thought of as the most dangerous and exciting Lightweight on the planet. You’ve also got Norifumi “KID” Yamamoto, who was known for his wild knockouts and wilder personality. Riki Fukuda and Takeya Mizugaki may not have been the biggest stars, but they are entertaining fighters nonetheless.
4. Anthony Pettis vs. Joe Lauzon will be all kinds of crazy and all kinds of awesome.
Joe Lauzon is a beast, plain and simple. Most of the time I’ve got nothing negative to say about him, although sometimes I think he can be hit-and-miss. Speaking of which, “hit and miss” perfectly describes Anthony Pettis’ run in the UFC. Coming off the famous “Showtime Kick” that practically catapulted him into superstardom, Pettis’ UFC run seems to have fizzled. These fighters do match up well, so the fight should be a good one.
3. If Hatsu Hioki isn’t UFC-ready, Bart Palaszewski will prove that.
For all the hype surrounding him before his UFC debut, Hatsu Hioki seemed ready to succumb to the “foreign fighter’s curse” in the UFC—when fighters who were dominant in foreign countries come into the UFC and fail to live up to their hype. Hioki’s close call with the curse came when he won a Split Decision against George Roop.
Bart Palaszewski, meanwhile, just knocked out Tyson Griffin. Can Hatsu Hioki really compete with the elite of the division? I honestly don’t know, but what I do know is thiat if Hatsu Hioki beats Bart Palaszewski, he’ll have taken a big step forward in his efforts to avoid the “foreign fighter’s curse”. He may have even beaten it entirely.
2. Just about all the main card fights are loaded with stars.
In addition to the aforementioned Pettis/Lauzon and Hioki/Palaszewski, there’s also Yushin Okami (who just fought for the title), Yoshihiro Akiyama, Jake Shields, Mark Hunt, Cheick Kongo, and of course, former UFC champion Quinton Jackson.
Akiyama vs. Shields should be very entertaining, Mark Hunt vs. Cheick Kongo should be very entertaining, Quinton Jackson fighting in Japan for the first time in several long years should be very entertaining as well. In terms of star power maybe it’s not the biggest UFC show, but in terms of fight potential, this card is stacked.
And the number-one reason to watch UFC 144 is…
1. Frank Edgar vs. Benson Henderson sounds amazing on paper.
How can you not love this fight? Like all fights there’s a chance it could be a disappointment, but I’m only going to consider the positive going into this fight, since I’m a big fan of both men. I’ve always believed Frank Edgar had what it took to be champion, and it’s been a joy to see him fully mature into the undisputed best fighter at Lightweight. Benson Henderson, meanwhile, has been amazing for so long that I have no reason to doubt that he’ll stop anytime soon. I absolutely cannot wait to see this fight.
