Tag: UFC 150

Benson Henderson Sees the Same Outcome ’10 Times out of 10′ with Frankie Edgar

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.”

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Should Benson Henderson Get an Immediate Rematch If He Loses to Frankie Edgar?

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?

 

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Benson Henderson vs. Frankie Edgar Rematch Confirmed for UFC 150

The rematch is official.During an appearance on UFC Tonight, UFC president Dana White announced UFC lightweight champion Benson Henderson will make his first title defense against Frankie Edgar at UFC 150.The two competitors last met at UFC 144 in Febr…

The rematch is official.

During an appearance on UFC Tonight, UFC president Dana White announced UFC lightweight champion Benson Henderson will make his first title defense against Frankie Edgar at UFC 150.

The two competitors last met at UFC 144 in February where Edgar would drop the title to Henderson via a unanimous decision. Edgar personally requested a rematch immediately following the bout due to how competitive the matchup was, but White insisted that the former lightweight champion drop to 145 pounds and challenge current champion Jose Aldo.

However, Edgar kept persisting for a rematch and White ultimately granted his wish to face Henderson again.

This will be Edgar’s third opponent in back-to-back title fights after he defeated fellow lightweight contenders BJ Penn and Gray Maynard.

UFC 150 will take place at the Pepsi Center in Denver, which will be the company’s first trip back since hosting UFC 135.

Rumors are still swirling surrounding the event, but the UFC can now begin to build around the main card with Edgar and Henderson set to headline.

Jake Shields is also expected to be featured on the card, as the former Strikeforce middleweight champion makes his return to 185 pounds to face Ed Herman.

Plus, Yushin Okami is looking to rebound off his loss to Tim Boetsch at UFC 144 as he is slated to meet Luiz Cane.

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UFC 150: Jake Shields to Make UFC Middleweight Debut

Jake Shields has finally received a date for his long-awaited return to the middleweight division— and an opponent.The former Strikeforce champion will make his UFC middleweight debut in August at UFC 150 against longtime MMA veteran Ed Herman. &…

Jake Shields has finally received a date for his long-awaited return to the middleweight division— and an opponent.

The former Strikeforce champion will make his UFC middleweight debut in August at UFC 150 against longtime MMA veteran Ed Herman.  UFC President Dana White confirmed the bout via his Twitter account last night:

Shields last fought at UFC 144 in February, taking a unanimous decision victory over Japanese superstar Yoshihiro Akiyama in his home country.  

The win broke a two-fight losing skid that included a 53-second technical knockout loss to Jake Ellenberger last September and a unanimous decision defeat against UFC welterweight champion Georges St-Pierre in his title bid at UFC 129.

Before joining the UFC, Shields last fought at middleweight against former Strikeforce and Pride champion Dan Henderson at Strikeforce: Nashville. Shields won the bout via unanimous decision to successfully defend his title.

The event, however, was marred by the infamous “Nashville Brawl,” as some of Shields’ teammates got into an altercation with Jason “Mayhem” Miller, who entered the cage to call out the then champion.

Meanwhile, Herman is currently riding an impressive three-fight win-streak, with his latest victory coming over Clifford Starks at UFC 143 via second round rear-naked choke.  The win was Herman’s second straight submission victory, having previously defeated the Ultimate Fighter season 11 alum Kyle Noke last August via first-round heel hook.

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UFC to Return to Denver for UFC 150, Headlined by Rematch Between Ben Henderson and Frankie Edgar

In 1993, the UFC made history by holding its first event at the old McNichols Sports Arena in Denver, Colorado. Now, the UFC will celebrate its 150th numbered event (Technically not, but play along) with a return to The Mile-High City on August 11. Tickets for the event, which takes place at The Pepsi Center, will go on sale June 15.

Headlining the event will be a lightweight title fight between champion Benson Henderson and Frankie Edgar, who lost the title to Henderson by unanimous decision at UFC 144. It’s an odd time to announce this fight, as Dana White has been adamant about having Frankie Edgar drop to featherweight. Not to mention that just days ago, Edgar seemed to be teasing a fight with Jose Aldo.

But in a way, an immediate rematch for Edgar only seems fair, considering that Edgar had to give out two immediate rematches while he was the lightweight champion.

In 1993, the UFC made history by holding its first event at the old McNichols Sports Arena in Denver, Colorado. Now, the UFC will celebrate its 150th numbered event (Technically not, but play along) with a return to The Mile-High City on August 11. Tickets for the event, which takes place at The Pepsi Center, will go on sale June 15.

Headlining the event will be a lightweight title fight between champion Benson Henderson and Frankie Edgar, who lost the title to Henderson by unanimous decision at UFC 144. It’s an odd time to announce this fight, as Dana White has been adamant about having Frankie Edgar drop to featherweight. Not to mention that just days ago, Edgar seemed to be teasing a fight with Jose Aldo.

But in a way, an immediate rematch for Edgar only seems fair, considering that Edgar had to give out two immediate rematches while he was the lightweight champion.

Currently, there are two other fights announced for this card. There’s a lightweight bout between Thiago Tavares vs. Dennis Hallman and a depressing middleweight bout between Luiz Cane and Yushin Okami. Expect the latter to be a loser leaves town fight; Cane has lost three of his last four fights, and Okami has looked more gun-shy by the minute since losing to Anderson Silva at UFC 134. Okami has most recently fallen to Tim Boetsch at UFC 144.

The UFC was most recently in Denver for UFC 135 last September, where Jon Jones made quick work of former light-heavyweight champion Quinton “Rampage” Jackson, and numerous heavyweights demonstrated what high altitudes do to a fighter’s stamina. We imagine that there won’t be too many heavyweight bouts this time around.

We’ll keep you posted as more details become available.

Report: UFC 150 to Take Place in Denver

The UFC returns to Denver on August 11 to host the landmark UFC 150, according to the UFC’s website. As of now, only two fights have been slated for the card. Luiz Cane makes his middleweight debut against Yushin Okami, who is of the top-ranked f…

The UFC returns to Denver on August 11 to host the landmark UFC 150, according to the UFC’s website.

As of now, only two fights have been slated for the card.

Luiz Cane makes his middleweight debut against Yushin Okami, who is of the top-ranked fighters in that division.

Cane will drop weight after a loss by TKO against Stanislav Nedkov at UFC 134. The drop should be a welcome change for Cane, who had enjoyed an 8-0-0-1 NC record before joining the UFC as a light heavyweight, where his record in the organization has been 4-4-0.

Okami will also look for a victory to put a halt to his two-loss streak against Anderson Silva and, more recently, Tim Boetsch at UFC 144 this February.

Lightweights Thiago Tavares and Dennis Hallman will also fight in a bout that had originally been scheduled for UFC on FOX 3 on May 5.

Both fighters will be coming off of wins before their long rests. Tavares defeated Sam Stout at UFC 142 in January and Hallman won against John Makdessi in December at UFC 140.

This will also be Hallman’s first official bout as a lightweight in since 2001, when he fought for the UFC lightweight title against Jens Pulver. While Hallman attempted to cut from welterweight to lightweight for his last fight in 2011, he missed weight and instead fought at a catchweight.

According to The Denver Post, UFC officials have said that a rematch between Frankie Edgar and Benson Henderson for the lightweight title is in the works, though the bout is not yet official.

Edgar lost the belt to Henderson at UFC 144 in a close but unanimous decision that won the “Fight of the Night” award. Since then, Edgar has made it clear that he wants a rematch, despite UFC president Dana White’s attempts to persuade Edgar to drop to 145.

The UFC has a long history in Denver, and this milestone event will mark 19 years since UFC 1 took place in the Mile High City.

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