Tag: benson henderson

UFC 144 Fight Card: 5 Reasons Why You Should Already Be Excited

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.

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Benson Henderson Will Have a Huge 2012 Starting at UFC 144

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.

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UFC on FX 1 Results: Power Ranking the UFC’s Lightweight Division

At the Bridgestone Arena in Nashville, Tenn., UFC on FX became an instant success.From the preliminary portion of the event to the main card, all bouts were exciting and fan friendly, though the real story of the night were the lightweights, as former …

At the Bridgestone Arena in Nashville, Tenn., UFC on FX became an instant success.

From the preliminary portion of the event to the main card, all bouts were exciting and fan friendly, though the real story of the night were the lightweights, as former contenders Melvin Guillard and Jim Miller took center stage.

The New Jersey native managed to weather an early barrage from “The Young Assassin,” eventually cinching up the rear-naked choke inside of the first round.

The win helped ascend Miller back into the upper echelon of the division, though Guillard’s stock plummeted with his second defeat in as many bouts.

The lightweight division is notoriously unforgiving and always changing, so in the end, where does the weight class sit as a whole?

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5 Potential Fights for Jose Aldo at Lightweight

Shortly after Jose Aldo crushed Chad Mendes’ title hopes, (and face) at UFC 142 last weekend, fans started wondering whom the UFC could possibly put in front of its featherweight champion. Aldo has taken out everyone that Zuffa has asked him to, …

Shortly after Jose Aldo crushed Chad Mendes’ title hopes, (and face) at UFC 142 last weekend, fans started wondering whom the UFC could possibly put in front of its featherweight champion.

Aldo has taken out everyone that Zuffa has asked him to, and now there is a huge gap in talent between the champion and the challengers.

With guys like Dustin Poirier, Erik Koch, Hatsu Hioki and Chan Sung Jung all a win or two away from a shot at the title, many fans have started calling for Aldo to move up in weight and challenge a top contender at lightweight in a potential superfight.

The fighters on this list would all pose some interesting challenges for Aldo, as most would have a significant size advantage and a few might even be able to test Aldo’s ridiculous takedown defense.

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Jon Jones, Alistair Overeem and 10 Fighters Who Could Become the Face of the UFC

With Brock Lesnar retiring after UFC 141, the UFC needs Jon Jones, Frankie Edgar and Junior Dos Santos to become the new faces of the UFC. With the UFC growing in popularity because of their Fox deal, they’ll be looking to market young, exciting …

With Brock Lesnar retiring after UFC 141, the UFC needs Jon Jones, Frankie Edgar and Junior Dos Santos to become the new faces of the UFC.

With the UFC growing in popularity because of their Fox deal, they’ll be looking to market young, exciting fighters, and those three fighters exemplify those characteristics.

Their fanbases are growing with every impressive performance, and quite frankly, these fighters are a joy to watch. But which fighter will become the new face of the UFC?

With Georges St-Pierre out of action because of his knee injury, Anderson Silva getting older in his legendary career and Lesnar retired, these are the 10 fighters who could become the face of the UFC.

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Jon Jones vs. Dan Henderson and Other MMA Fights We Need to See in 2012

The past year has left us with some great fights to remember. 2011 gave us instant classics such as Shogun vs. Henderson, Edgar vs. Maynard 2 and 3 and Alvarez vs. Chandler.Now those fights are behind us. It is time to look into the New Year and hopefu…

The past year has left us with some great fights to remember. 2011 gave us instant classics such as Shogun vs. Henderson, Edgar vs. Maynard 2 and 3 and Alvarez vs. Chandler.

Now those fights are behind us. It is time to look into the New Year and hopefully see some great matchups that will have the potential of besting some of the fights in previous years. Let’s get started.

 

Gilbert Melendez vs. Edgar/Ben Henderson Winner

There is no doubt that Gilbert Melendez is one of the top lightweights in the world. He has shown it by tearing through the Strikeforce lightweight division.

Strikeforce even brought Dream imports in Ishida, Aoki and Kawajiri—all who failed to stop Melendez.

Melendez has been hinting he wants to join the ranks of the UFC and challenge for the title to establish himself as the No. 1 lightweight. He has literary cleared out his division and is a large fish in a very small pond.

ZUFFA will have to bring him over to challenge the winner of Feb. 25 showdown between Frankie Edgar and Ben Henderson.

Nick Diaz already made the jump to the UFC. Melendez should also be in there fighting the best in the world—not only to establish an undisputed champion, but to also give the fans a super fight of champions.

We were already deprived of this matter this year. Injury forced GSP to pull out of his fight with Diaz, so why not make it up to the fans and make this fight happen? Fireworks are sure to be the result.

It could possibly be a showdown for the summer—perfect for 4th of July weekend. This could have fight of the year written all over it. Regardless of who is the UFC champ at the time, they both bring it.

 

Jon Jones vs. Dan Henderson

Dan Henderson is at a career high at the moment at the tender age of 41. That’s after capturing the Strikeforce light-heavyweight title from Feijao and beating two fellow Pride legends in Fedor and Shogun.

Jon Jones is also enjoying the same momentum as Henderson, but he is only 24 years old. He has had a phenomenal year 2011. He captured the title from the aforementioned Shogun Rua and defended it twice against Rampage and Lyoto Machida.

If Rashad wins his fight this month, he might get the first crack. I say let Henderson fight. His time in the sport is diminishing and the bout might never come to fruition if he fights another opponent or Jones falls to Evans.

This is an interesting fight for one reason: Henderson’s patented H-Bomb. He has shown in his recent outings that the only fighter who can survive it, barely, is Shogun.

Everyone has a puncher’s chance and that rings true for Dan Henderson. Should he land on Jones, it quite possible he going to sleep. Machida proved Jones’ chin can be checked.

Henderson poses the biggest threat at the moment to Jones. Rashad will probably come up short against Jones as his chin won’t last when he tries to close the distance. Henderson, on the other hand, can take a punch to give a punch.

This fight could serve as the old lion taking on the young one. It would be interesting to see how Jones will react if Henderson lands a punch on him.

 

Miguel Torres vs. Loser of Faber/Cruz

Another fight that would be great for fans in 2012 is between former bantamweight kingpin and the loser of the upcoming Faber vs. Cruz title fight.

Torres had a scare in 2011 when he was cut from the UFC, due to a tweet on rape vans. Now, after some apologizing, donations, and counseling, he is back.

A fight with either man will help put Torres back on the map. A win would put him in position for a shot at the title.

This will also lead to two mega fights we have been hoping for. A showdown with Faber and Cruz has been discussed quite a bit.

A win for Torres can lead to both dream fights happening. Torres also is one of the few bantamweights in the UFC that can give Dominick Cruz a run for his money.

It would be nice if Cruz beats Faber. A Torres and Faber fight, with a Torres win, would warrant a title. Cruz could defend his belt against Renan Pegado, if he wins his fight in February.

At the end of the day, the bantamweight division needs more exposure. It will get it with the new The Ultimate Fighter, which has Cruz and Faber as coaches.

Fights between the three biggest stars will help establish the division and will show people just how great this UFC division really is.

We can safely assume Joe Silva will put forward some incredible fights in 2012 for the fans to enjoy. Let’s hope that the fights discussed become a reality. They need to happen in MMA this year.

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