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UFC 144 Fight Card: Breaking Down Top Fights for Hyped Event

The Saitama Super Arena in Japan will house UFC 144, showcasing a gauntlet of long-awaited UFC matches. Here is a breakdown of the main card fights for the highly anticipated event.Frankie Edgar vs. Ben HendersonThis promises to be the best m…

The Saitama Super Arena in Japan will house UFC 144, showcasing a gauntlet of long-awaited UFC matches. Here is a breakdown of the main card fights for the highly anticipated event.

Frankie Edgar vs. Ben Henderson
This promises to be the best matchup Japan has to offer. Former WEC lightweight champion Henderson has a very real chance to take out UFC’s defending lightweight champ, Edgar. Edgar is well-conditioned, going for five rounds in three of his last four matches. But Henderson may possess the fitness needed to take on Edgar. He is undefeated since joining the UFC.

Quinton Jackson vs. Ryan Bader
Jackson failed to make weight for this fight, but Bader accepted the match at catchweight. Jackson comes into this one looking to vindicate himself from a brutal title-match loss against Jon Jones. Bader also has a chip on his shoulder going into this one. Despite a 14-2 record, he has dropped two of his last three fights.

Mark Hunt vs. Cheick Kongo
This should be a good stand-up match between two heavyweights versed in kickboxing. French fighter Kongo is on a hot steak right now. In his last four fights, he ended three with wins and one with a draw. Hunt snapped out of a six-loss slump to defeat Chris Tuchscherer and Ben Rothwell in his last two matches. If Hunt wins in Japan, he will earn a winning career record.

Yoshihiro Akiyama vs. Jake Shields
These fighters rely on different techniques, which should make for an interesting match. Akiyama enjoys throwing punches and is feared for his knockout power. Shields, a former NCAA Division II wrestler, works best with grappling techniques on the ground. Shields has struggled this year, perhaps returning to the Octagon too quickly after his father passed away last fall. But Shields will hopefully be back for this match, and he is sure to bring the pressure.

Yushin Okami vs. Tim Boetsch
This one will come down to who can take down whom first. Okami is Japan’s most successful middleweight contender. His strategy will be to bring Boetsch to the ground and wreck him there. But if Boetsch can take Okami down first, it may be lights out for the Japanese fighter. Boetsch’s four career defeats came at the hands of guys he could not take down.

Hatsu Hioki vs. Bart Palaszewski
This fight is sure to shake up the UFC featherweight landscape. Ranked No. 2 for featherweight contenders, Hioki is one of just two Japanese fighters in this event considered to be in the top 10. He relies heavily on ground game, using grappling techniques and holds to get his opponents to submit. If Hioki can keep Palaszewski on the ground, he will likely take this one.

Palaszewski, IFL and WEC veteran, cut his weight to make his UFC debut as a featherweight. While the weight change forced Palaszewski to make some adjustments, he knocked out Tyson Griffin in the first round of his first-ever UFC match. If rising-star featherweight Palaszewski can pull off the upset in this match, he is likely to be considered among UFC’s featherweight elite.

Anthony Pettis vs. Joe Lauzon
Anthony Pettis excels standing up and on the floor, but he should try to keep Joe Lauzon on his feet to wear him down in this one. That is because Lauzon tends to win matches early. If Pettis can survive the first round with Lauzon, he may be able to outlast Lauzon.

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UFC 144 Predictions: Frankie Edgar Will Barely Edge out Benson Henderson

UFC 144 from Japan is sure to be thrilling, and the main event featuring Frankie Edgar and Benson Henderson will not disappoint as both fighters give fans an epic battle. In the end, Edgar will retain his UFC lightweight title by narrowly bea…

UFC 144 from Japan is sure to be thrilling, and the main event featuring Frankie Edgar and Benson Henderson will not disappoint as both fighters give fans an epic battle.

In the end, Edgar will retain his UFC lightweight title by narrowly beating Henderson.

Both fighters are very good at what they do, which is why this will be such an intense match. However, Edgar’s speed will be too much, as he outlasts Henderson.

Henderson has never lost in UFC, but his streak will end this weekend. He matches well with Edgar’s wrestling, but the champ will not be denied.

Edgar’s striking is better than Henderson, as his swift movement and fast hands will frustrate Henderson all night long.

Known as “Smooth,” Henderson will have to consider handing that nickname over to Edgar because “The Answer” will be much more suave and fluid in the fight.

Still, Henderson will use his strength, flexibility and stamina to give Edgar a true challenge. Japan will be getting one heck a show this weekend.

However, Edgar’s quickness will be on full display at Saitama Super Arena in Saitama, Japan, making it hard for Henderson to find a great deal of success. Henderson will give it is all and take Edgar to the brink, but he won’t be able to do enough to get the victory.

You can watch this main event on pay-per-view at 10 p.m. ET, and all of the preliminary-card fights air live on FX and stream on Facebook.

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UFC 144 Predictions: Winner for Every Fight on the Card

Hours from UFC 144 at the Saitama Super Arena in Tokyo, Japan, much of the focus has been on the main event; Edgar vs Henderson.However there are certain to be many other great fights leading up to the main event on pay-per-view.There are seven fights …

Hours from UFC 144 at the Saitama Super Arena in Tokyo, Japan, much of the focus has been on the main event; Edgar vs Henderson.

However there are certain to be many other great fights leading up to the main event on pay-per-view.

There are seven fights on the main card including a battle between Rampage Jackson and Ryan Bader.

Here are some are some predictions on each fight on the main card.

Pettis vs. Lauzon

Anthony “Showtime” Pettis will look to improve upon his 12-2-0 record against Joe “J-Lau” Lauzon who enters the fight with a 20-6-0 record.

Pettis is an excellent stand-up fighter with a complimentary ground game. Lauzon is known more for his submissions, winning more than half of his fights via submission.

Although Pettis is less experienced, he is more well-rounded than Lauzon and will ultimately come out on top.

Hioki vs. Palaszewski

Hatsu Hioki will undoubtedly be the fan favorite heading into a bout against Bart Palaszewski, as he will be fighting in his native homeland.

The well-rounded Hioki will have his hands full with Palaszewski, as Palaszewski has won 34 fights in his career. Palaszewski is known for his striking and knock-out ability while Hioki is more a submissionist.

Look for Hioki to use his technical skill to prevail over the powerful Palaszewski.

Okami vs. Boetsch

Yushin “Thunder” Okami will also have the support of the home crowd as he takes on Tim “The Barbarian” Boetsch.

Okami has used his ground-and-pound approach to notch 26 victories in his career. Boetsch is less experienced with only 14 victories but is known for his wrestling technique and tremendous heart.

This will assuredly be a physical, demanding fight, but I give the edge to Okami based on experience and an overall better game.

Akiyama vs. Shields

Yoshihiro Akiyama has a weight advantage of 15 pounds on fellow competitor Jake Shields, but that doesn’t necessarily mean he’ll win this fight.

Akiyama will probably use his knockout power, coupled with his judo technique to try to takedown Shields, who will counteract Akiyama with his grappling ability and proven endurance.

Ultimately I look for Shields to put relentless pressure on Akiyama and take the victory.

Hunt vs. Kongo

Mark “Super Samoan” Hunt boast an impressive 25-pound advantage on Cheick Kongo, but standing at 6’4″, Kongo will have the big advantage in reach over the 5’10” Hunt.

Hunt has struggled early in his career, posting an unimpressive 7-7 record. Kongo is more seasoned, and he has an admirable 27 victories.

I see Kongo using his size and athleticism to out-match in hefty Hunt. Kongo will wear Hunt down and capitalize on Hunt’s lack of stamina.

Jackson vs. Bader

One of the most intriguing bouts of the night will feature Rampage Jackson and Ryan “Darth” Bader squaring off in the octagon.

Both competitors are pretty much equal in the tail-of-the-tape, but Jackson is much more experienced, earning 34 victories to Bader’s 14.

This co-main event has the makings for a slug-fest and if that is the case, I give the advantage to Rampage in a tight one.

Edgar vs. Henderson

Frankie “The Answer” Edgar will take on Benson “Smooth” Henderson in tonight’s main event in Tokyo. Henderson will be looking to take the lightweight title away from Edgar and be only the second fighter ever to beat Edgar in the UFC.

Both competitors have similar records with Edgar having 14 victories to Henderson’s 15. Likewise, both fighters are good wrestlers and are strong in their takedowns.

At the end of the night, I see Edgar retaining his lightweight title and adding to his impressive career resume by defeating Henderson in an epic battle.

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UFC 144 Fight Card: What a Loss Would Mean to Yoshihiro Akiyama

Returning to his home country of Japan, Yoshihiro Akiyama will have the chance to make up for three straight loss in a big way at UFC 144. If Akiyama can upset Jake Shields in his welterweight debut on Saturday night, he would immediately be considered…

On the other hand, a loss in his home country, especially an uninspired one, could result in his release from the UFC. Though the UFC brass holds Akiyama in high regard, a fourth straight loss would be much more than others have been cut from the organization for.

If Akiyama is able to put on an exciting fight, then he may be given one last chance after UFC 144. Since the Japanese fighter has earned three Fight of the Night awards in just four UFC fights, the UFC and MMA fans have grown to love watching him fight regardless of the outcome.

That being said, this is a sport, and Akiyama will need to get back into the win column if he wants to be taken seriously as a contender in either the welterweight or middleweight divisions.

Despite Shields’ great accomplishments, a loss to the Cesar Gracie-trained fighter would make it hard for anyone to get excited about seeing Akiyama‘s next fight after going so long without a win.

Beyond determining his future in the UFC, this fight could determine how Akiyama‘s career is remembered. Will he be remembered as the exciting contender that entertained fans at any cost, or will he be remembered as the fighter who lost four straight fights and couldn’t cut it against elite competition?

Sean Smith is a Featured Columnist for Bleacher Report MMA. For the latest insight and updates on everything MMA, Follow Sean Smith on Twitter

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Hot Potato: Azusa Nishigaki, UFC 144?s Guest Octagon Girl

The UFC returns to Japan tonight for the first time in 11 years, and to commemorate the occasion we’re bringing you 11 photos of UFC 144’s guest Octagon Girl Azusa Nishigaki. Azusa is undoubtedly familiar to those of you who follow the Japanese MMA/Beauty Pageant circuits; she has strutted around the ring previously for Sengoku and was a finalist in the ‘Miss Japan’ competition.

Full photo gallery is after the jump, along with an interview of Ms. Nishigaki by Ariel Helwani.

The UFC returns to Japan tonight for the first time in 11 years, and to commemorate the occasion we’re bringing you 11 photos of UFC 144′s guest Octagon Girl Azusa Nishigaki. Azusa is undoubtedly familiar to those of you who follow the Japanese MMA/Beauty Pageant circuits; she has strutted around the ring previously for Sengoku and was a finalist in the ‘Miss Japan’ competition.

(via MMAFighting.com)

UFC 144 Fight Card: Questions We Have About Mark Hunt

Before coming to the UFC, Mark Hunt was a PRIDE fighter on a terrible losing streak. Due to his contract specifications, Hunt was able to leverage his way into the UFC. Currently on a two-fight win streak in the Octagon, it looks like Hunt has taken hi…

We know that Hunt is a powerhouse striker, but there are a lot of things that we don’t know. These are the burning questions that we have for Mark Hunt going into his UFC 144 affair with Cheick Kongo.

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