For the first time since 2010, UFC Lightweight champion Frankie Edgar will defend his title against an opponent not named BJ Penn or Gray Maynard at this weekend’s UFC 144.Challenging his crown will be former WEC Lightweight champion Benson Henderson, …
For the first time since 2010, UFC Lightweight champion Frankie Edgar will defend his title against an opponent not named BJ Penn or Gray Maynard at this weekend’s UFC 144.
Challenging his crown will be former WEC Lightweight champion Benson Henderson, who took the top contender status after rolling over some of the best 155ers since coming over to the UFC.
Both fighters are explosive and well-rounded, making for a sure fire show in the promotion’s long awaited return to Japan. With these two exciting lightweights headlining the event, there is no doubt that the Japanese fan base will be treated to a possible Fight of the Night war.
Here’s the head-to-toe breakdown of this lightweight title fight.
UFC 144 will take place this Saturday, February 25 from the Saitama Super Arena in Saitama, Japan. Headlining the card will be a lightweight title bout that will see Frankie Edgar attempt to defend his title against former WEC lightweight champio…
UFC 144 will take place this Saturday, February 25 from the Saitama Super Arena in Saitama, Japan. Headlining the card will be a lightweight title bout that will see Frankie Edgar attempt to defend his title against former WEC lightweight champion Benson Henderson.
Also appearing on the card will be former UFC champion and Pride favorite, Quinton “Rampage” Jackson, who will meet Ryan Bader in the evening’s co-main event.
Below you will find early odds as well as a full list of the fights that will take place at UFC 144.
Main Card Odds:
Frankie Edgar (-135) favorite over Benson Henderson (+105)
Quinton “Rampage” Jackson (-240) favorite over Ryan Bader (+190)
Cheick Kongo (-280) favorite over Mark Hunt (+210)
Anthony Pettis (-240) favorite over Joe Lauzon (+190)
UFC 144 marks the first event in the Zuffa era to take place live from the Saitama Super Arena in Saitama, Japan, and comes to the world live this Saturday night on PPV with prelims on FX and a Facebook-only bout between “The Mongolian Wolf” Tiequan Zh…
UFC 144 marks the first event in the Zuffa era to take place live from the Saitama Super Arena in Saitama, Japan, and comes to the world live this Saturday night on PPV with prelims on FX and a Facebook-only bout between “The Mongolian Wolf” Tiequan Zhang and Issei Tamura.
The card features Japanese talent such as Yoshihiro Akiyama, Yushin Okami, Norifumi “KID” Yamamoto, and Hatsu Hioki, among others, and also features a headliner of Benson Henderson vs. UFC Lightweight Champion Frankie Edgar with a co-headliner of Quinton “Rampage” Jackson and Ryan Bader.
As we begin the most anticipated fight week of 2012 so far, there are a few things you need to know about the card…
(All predictions are final except wherever otherwise noted)
Winning the UFC championship is the ultimate prize in MMA. Being a UFC champion automatically places you among the elite fighters in the world and every fighter dreams of holding up the belt at some point in their career.For many, this is a dream that …
Winning the UFC championship is the ultimate prize in MMA. Being a UFC champion automatically places you among the elite fighters in the world and every fighter dreams of holding up the belt at some point in their career.
For many, this is a dream that never comes to fruition. Some of the best fighters in the UFC have failed to capture UFC gold in their careers and their legacy suffers because of it.
Here are 25 fighters on the UFC roster who will capture the elusive honor before they call it quits.
Does anyone else feel strange?There’s not going to be a UFC show this weekend, and I feel strange. Does that mean I’m spoiled? Probably. There’ll be a UFC event Wednesday of next week, though. And then we’ll have another week of…
Does anyone else feel strange?
There’s not going to be a UFC show this weekend, and I feel strange. Does that mean I’m spoiled? Probably. There’ll be a UFC event Wednesday of next week, though. And then we’ll have another week of non-action until UFC 146 on Sunday, February 26. Should we be thinking that far ahead? I certainly am. In fact, I’m very excited about UFC 146. Here’s five reasons why.
5. Mark Hunt vs. Cheick Kongo? Somebody’s getting KTFO’d.
Sometimes you just want to see two dudes punch each other in the face until one of them is no longer standing. That’s exactly what you’re in for in this fight. Hunt and Kongo are excellent kickboxers, they’re both headhunters and they’ve both got tough chins. This won’t end on a weak TKO stoppage, and it’s definitely not ending by submission. These two are going to come out swinging for the fences, and before long one of them is going to connect and add an unforgettable moment to his highlight reel.
4. Yoshihrio Akiyama vs. Jake Shields has plenty of potential.
Shields is a great wrestler with plenty of good submissions, and Akiyama is a good all-around fighter with plenty of judo knowledge. To be honest, I don’t see either man finishing this fight, but that absolutely does not mean that I think this will be a boring fight. Rather, I have a good feeling that this’ll be a great three-round war regardless of where it ends up.
3. Quinton Jackson vs. Ryan Bader will be an interesting test for both men.
Jackson is coming off of his first submission loss since 2001, and only the second submission loss of his long and illustrious career. Ryan Bader, meanwhile, recently KO’d Jason Brilz for a nice rebound from a tough two-fight losing streak . Going 1-3 in your last four can still get most people fired, though, so expect Bader to have a “do or die” mentality in this fight. “Rampage” always comes to fight and is always looking for the knockout, too. A lot of people seem to think Bader isn’t on Jackson’s level, and even if that’s true I still think this’ll end up being one of the night’s most entertaining bouts.
2. It’s the UFC in Japan.
I’ll be honest fans and friends: I never really thought this would happen. The reality of the situation is this: The Japanese market for MMA has shriveled in the years since PRIDE FC’s collapse—you could make a serious argument that it’s reached the point of no return. But of course, Zuffa has made millions (even billions!) in their attempts to make something out of nothing. Who knows how (or even what) this show will end up being? The UFC in Japan should produce an atmosphere that’s totally different from any other place, and seeing just what a UFC show in Japan entails is one of the strongest reasons to watch this card.
1. Benson Henderson vs. Frank Edgar is “Fight of the Year” material, and I’m almost positive it’s going to live up to its hype.
I have never, ever, ever believed that Frank Edgar is a boring fighter. Even when people just considered him a “lay and pray” wrestler, I was always cheering for Edgar and supporting him as a “dark horse favorite” of mine. Now he’s coming off two “Fight of the Year” contenders against Gray Maynard, the last of which saw Edgar score an amazing knockout. From an unproven champion to the baddest man at 155, it’s been a joy to watch Frank Edgar perform.
But then there’s Benson Henderson, who’s been running through everybody in the UFC and ran through almost everybody in the WEC. Benson Henderson is a destroyer: Whether it’s with a submission or by sheer volume and tenacity of his strikes, Henderson fights to finish you and finish you quickly. This is a great match-up for both men, and I can’t wait to see their styles clash.
Oliver Saenz, also known as PdW2kX, is a freelance journalist, opinion columnist, hardcore MMA fan, and lifelong video game nerd. For more news, views, previews and reviews on all things Mixed Martial Arts as well as video games, be sure to visit FightGamesBlog.net.
Around this time last year fans had basically forgotten about former WEC lightweight champion Benson Henderson, relegating him to the back-burner after an off-the-wall kick sealed his defeat in the last ever WEC event.The only question on everyone’s mi…
Around this time last year fans had basically forgotten about former WEC lightweight champion Benson Henderson, relegating him to the back-burner after an off-the-wall kick sealed his defeat in the last ever WEC event.
The only question on everyone’s mind was: When will Anthony Pettis face Frankie Edgar?
An understandable inquiry, seeing as how Pettis took the WEC crown from Henderson in December of 2010 and was promised a shot at the winner of Edgar versus Gray Maynard II. However, that battle ended in a draw with a third and final matchup waiting in the wings as both fighters took time off to recover from injuries.
As fans waited for the trilogy to conclude, a restless Pettis found himself at the back of the contenders’ line after suffering a unanimous decision loss to Clay Guida in June. The win added Guida’s name to the growing list of top contenders who were vying for a shot at the belt, including the likes of Melvin Guillard, Donald Cerrone and Jim Miller.
Quietly Henderson made his way up the ladder, easily dispatching of Mark Bocek in April and then snapping Miller’s seven-fight win streak in August. With one contender out of the way, Henderson, with a little help from Joe Lauzon who tapped out Guillard in October, put himself in perfect position to become the next challenger at 155.
All that remained in his way was Guida, a formidable wrestler who was just as hungry for a title shot as Henderson and owned a win over Pettis, the last fighter to beat him. Taking Fight of the Night honors at UFC on FOX 1, Henderson proved once again why fans shouldn’t underestimate him, going toe-to-toe with Guida in an action-packed matchup. Emphatically Henderson took the unanimous decision, thrusting his name back into the spotlight.
Now on the verge of facing Edgar at UFC 144 in Japan next month, it’s hard to see the Benson Henderson train derailing anytime soon.
2012 will be a huge year for the former champion, especially if he can defeat Edgar and take the lightweight crown. Henderson can match Edgar’s explosiveness and has solid takedown defense that has baffled the likes of Guida, Miller and other wrestlers and grapplers in the past. His striking and jiu-jitsu are on par with the champion and should make for another great fight.
While other lightweight contenders were getting wins over respectable, yet not upper-echelon competition, Henderson took out arguably the top two lightweights in the world who were not named Frankie Edgar or Gray Maynard. Henderson has the experience and the talent to take on whoever the UFC gives him.
Possible future challengers could include the surging Nate Diaz and Joe Lauzon, both of whom could be on track for a title shot if they can string together a couple more wins.
Another interesting matchup would be Pettis, who’s closer to a title shot than people give him credit for. A rematch between these two fighters, this time inside the Octagon, would make for a very exciting bout.
Regardless of who the next lightweight challenger is, Henderson has to defeat Edgar first, a feat easier said than done. But with Henderson’s experience, athleticism and technique, taking the title is definitely within his grasp and should set up a very nice year for “Smooth.”
Matt Juul is a Featured Columnist for Bleacher Report.
Does anyone else feel strange?