Ben Henderson Throttles Nate Diaz
GOOD UNDERCARD & MAIN EVENT
San Francisco, CA– The UFC took the show to Seattle, WA, a locale not too far away from UFC lightweight (155 lbs.) champion Benson Henderson grew up. The result was a sold out arena and a shutout win for Henderson over Nate Diaz of Stockton, CA. Here are the numbers for Henderson, who I hate to utilize the overused term “he’s a beast,” is just that. With 133 total strikes in five-five minute rounds, 57 of which were kicks or knees, Henderson dominated all five frames.
SCORES INDICATIVE OF ROUT GOING DOWN
While my card had it 50-45, so did two judges while the third had Henderson winning 50-43! Nate Diaz, the brother of Nick Diaz doesn’t lack toughness, technique, or cardio, but he couldn’t do anything better than Benson, over whom he had three inches in height and almost seven inches in reach. Diaz declines to 16-8 and Henderson upped his mark to 15-1. The talent laden lightweight weight class looks like it might be Henderson’s for a while. Then again, this is MMA and a fight could end so many different ways. Another item of note is that this was Benson’s third five round fight of the year, having beaten ex-champ Frankie Edgar in 2012.
SHOGUN RUN DOWN BY SWEDISH STAR GUSTAFSSON
In a fight that made bold statements for both men, ex-UFC light heavyweight (205) champ Mauricio “Shogun” Rua lost all three rounds against Alexander Gustafsson (15-1). Rua (21-7) is coming off two wars, and I mean career shortening fights against Dan Henderson and Brandon Vera. That being said, Rua’s future in MMA is that of an “opponent” with a decent resume. For the Swede at 6’4 and 205, a fight with UFC light heavyweight champ Jon Jones is possible for 2013. They are both the same size and if they tangle, Jones is the pick.
BJ PENN PULVERIZED AT 170 BY RORY MCDONALD
They say Canadian’s Rory McDonald and Georges St. Pierre are good friends. Seeing GSP is the #1 welterweight (170) and Rory destroyed BJ Penn in three very one sided rounds. The scores were so wide you might think it was a football game. Just kidding, but with this punishing win McDonald puts himself in line behind one-punch KO king Johnny Hendricks for a shot at GSP if the Anderson Silva fight doesn’t happen in May. McDonald is now 15-1, Penn, a former champ at 155 and 170 is now 16-8.
ALL THE RESULTS FROM START TO FINISH
Benson Henderson def. Nate Diaz via unanimous decision (50-43, 50-45, 50-45)
Alexander Gustafsson def. Mauricio “Shogun” Rua via unanimous decision (30-27, 30-27, 30-26)
Rory MacDonald def. B.J. Penn via unanimous decision (30-26, 30-26, 30-27)
Matt Brown def. Mike Swick via knockout (punches) – Round 2, 2:31
Daron Cruickshank def. Henry Martinez via knockout (head kick) – Round 1, 2:57
Abel Trujillo def. Marcus LeVesseur via TKO (knees) – Round 2, 3:56
Dennis Siver def. Nam Phan via unanimous decision (30-24, 30-25, 30-26)
Scott Jorgensen def. John Albert via submission (rear-naked choke) – Round 1, 4:59
Yves Edwards def. Jeremy Stephens via knockout (strikes) – Round 1, 1:55
Raphael Assuncao def. Mike Easton via unanimous decision (29-28, 30-27, 30-27)
Ramsey Nijem def. Joe Proctor via unanimous decision (30-27, 29-28, 29-28)
Pedro Fernandez