Frankie Edgar-Ben Henderson
FRANKIE EDGAR-BEN HENDERSON MAIN EVENT HAS PEOPLE SPLIT!
San Francisco, CA– The Ultimate Fighting Championships, better known as the UFC, returns to Japan for the first time in more than a decade with an “even” main event pitting UFC lightweight champ Frankie Edgar (14-1-1) vs. top contender Ben Henderson (15-2) in UFC 144. Having went round and around with MMA pundits for two weeks, I find they are split down the middle as to who will win this 155 lb. UFC title affair.
EDGAR HAS MAYNARD FIGHTS ON RESUME
With a draw and a win, this after a loss to Gray Maynard, the roughest lightweight out there with the exception of the Edgar and Henderson, Frankie Edgar holds the edge in my mind. But when compared to Henderson, he is physically smaller which might be a problem for the champion. Still, at the end of the day, I see Edgar prevailing by stoppage, submission or decision in this five-five minute round contest. I think the fact he turned back Maynard, and he is the superior striker, these are the prevailing reasons why I think Frankie wins. Although most of his UFC wins have went the route, is this where Edgar reaches his pinnacle, and if he is the creme I think he is, rises to the top with stop!?
HENDERSON CHAMPION OF DEFUNCT WORLD EXTREME CAGEFIGHTING
Having taken out Mark Bocek, Clay Guida and Jim Miller with “inside the distance” UFC wins, it would appear that this live underdog has the ability to win this even scrap. And while most think the win over Miller was extraordinary, I thought the Guida fight was extremely entertaining from a fans perspective. A former (and last) World Extreme Cagefighting champion, Henderson’s fight with Guida was one worth remembering. It’s a toss up, but as I said earlier I pick the champion to secure an impressive victory in Japan. The key here I think is the striking superiority that Edgar possesses.
“RAMPAGE” RETURNS TO JAPAN, BUT IS THERE ANYTHING LEFT?
Is There Any Bite Left in Quinton Jackson?
At one point and time, Quinton “Rampage” Jackson (32-9) was the top MMA star in Japan. His “power bombs” where he picked guys up and drove them into the canvas, they were and still are all-time MMA highlights. But Jackson’s last fight in Japan was in 2006, this when the Pride Fighting Championships ruled the MMA world. Today, Pride is toast, having been bought up and dismantled by Zuffa Sports, the UFC’s parent company and many believe Jackson is as well. Tonight he meets Ryan Bader (13-2) who Kyle Kingsbury, a UFC light heavyweight contender thinks is too hungry for the fading Jackson. This appears to be a close fight, but with Jackson saying he would retire if he lost, I wonder of there is any fire left in him. Although he’s an underdog, I lean slightly towards Bader here. If it were “prime vs. prime,” Jackson would be my choice, but he’s over the hill and down the other side! Bader will need to bring a bag of mixed tricks to win here. Question at hand, does he have them?
KONGO FAVORED TO END HUNT’S HUNTING!
Cheick Kongo (17-6-2) will take on and dismantle .500 fighter Mark Hunt (7-7) in what looks like anything but a PPV encounter. Kongo has all the advantages and I’d be surprised if Kongo makes it out of the second stanza. Kongo is a level better than Hunt, who if he wins, will have pulled off a significant upset.
FIRST FIGHT AIRS ON FACEBOOK< AT 7:30 PM ET!/strong>
The first preliminary airs on Facebook at 7:30 PM ET. That will be followed by two hours on FX TV from 8-10 PM ET. The main card will be on PPV and begins at 10 PM ET. For more info Click & Go To UFC Website For Entire Card
Pedro Fernandez