Does Frankie Edgar Have the Answer For Henderson?


UFC 144 is this Saturday from Saitama Super Arena in Japan, the first Japanese event for the Zuffa owned company since UFC 29 in 2000. Because Japan is the unofficial home of martial arts, the spectacle of the event might be bigger than just the fights on the card. Dana White has wanted to try to book an event in Japan for a while, but has been warded off by alleged threats from the Yakuza gang. Last week the UFC announced that the pay-per-view will be four hours and feature seven fights, instead of the usual five fight three hour events. Headlining the show will be Jersey's own Frankie "The Answer" Edgar defending the lightweight belt against Ben "Smooth" Henderson.

Frankie Edgar (9-1-1 in the UFC), coming off of four fights against two opponents in the past two years, is excited to be training and fighting against some new competition. A three fight winning streak earned Edgar a title shot against UFC legend BJ Penn in April 2010 at UFC 112. There, he used his speed and superior wrestling advantage to upset the champ in a grueling 25 minute decision, ending Penn's 812 day run with the belt. Many people were unhappy with the decision, forcing the UFC to book a rematch at UFC 118 in August. Edgar used the same strategy to grind out another five-round decision victory, winning every round in the judge's scorecards.

The new number one contender for Edgar's belt was unbeaten Gray Maynard. Maynard was the only mark in an otherwise spotless record for Frankie, beating him in 2008. The battle was set for New Years Day 2011 at UFC 125. Gray Maynard was relentless in the first round, brutally beating Edgar, and almost stopping him in several occasions. Frankie showed his Jersey toughness, and not only survived the round, but began to take over the fight. The fight shockingly went the distance, ending a rare draw. With each fighter earning a 48-46 decision, and the third judge scoring it a 47-47 draw. In my opinion, the 47-47 score was correct with Maynard taking the first round 10-8, but losing three of the final four rounds. Despite the fight being ruled a draw, many felt Frankie won the fight just for surviving the first round, and having an early Fight of the Year candidate.

A rematch was set for April, but injuries to both fighters pushed it back to October at UFC 136. Shockingly, the first round of the trilogy was similar to their second fight in January, with Maynard dominating and bloodying up the champ. Once again, Frankie displayed his famous heart and not only won the fight, but did it in impressive fashion, knocking out Maynard in the fourth round. That put to rest any doubt critics would have of Edgar. Toms River's son defended his belt successfully again.

Opposing Frankie Edgar on Sunday could be his toughest opponent to date, Ben Henderson (8-1 in the UFC/WEC). Henderson made a name for himself fighting for Zuffa-owned World Elite Cagefighting, winning their lightweight title in 2009. Henderson lost the belt in a hotly contested fight against Anthony Pettis in the WEC's final show in 2010. Zuffa closed down the organization and merged all the fighters into the UFC. Henderson had impressive victories against Mark Bocek and Jim Miller, earning a number-one contender fight against fan-favorite Clay Guida. Fighting in the co-main event of the UFC's first show on FOX, Henderson put on another display of his great striking and wrestling, to earn this fight against Frankie Edgar.

Grappling


Ben Henderson has shown an uncanny ability to escape submissions, you just have to watch his fight against Jim Miller to see that this man can not and will not tapout. Frankie Edgar is proficient on the ground, with a good rear-naked choke and guillotine, but would prefer to unleash his ground-and-pound when in dominant positions then to go for a submission. The ground game is more or less a wash for both fighters, but because of his submission defense, I'll give the edge to Bendo. Edge: Henderson


Wrestling


Frankie Edgar has proved that he can outwrestle anyone that has stepped into the cage with him. Making the nationals in all four years of his college wrestling career in Clarion University, and currently coaching the Rutgers wrestling team. Henderson's tree-trunk legs have challenged his opponents in the past, but he hasn't fought a wrestler as good as Edgar yet. Edge: Edgar


Striking


Ben Henderson is a strong fighter, but he hasn't stopped an opponent on his feet since a TKO victory against Shane Roller in 2009. In his victory against Clay Guida he effectively counter-struck against the always aggressive Carpenter. Frankie Edgar uses his speed more than his strength while on his feet. Being a true 155 pounder, he often comes to the cage in a disadvantage as far as strength is concerned because many of his opponents cut weight before the weigh-in, and bulk up before the fight. Edgar has also proven he can take a beating, and survive by being more relentless than anyone else in the UFC. Edge: Edgar


Prediction


I can see this being a very close fight, because both men are so evenly matched in all three facets of the sport. Frankie Edgar is going to have to figure out how to start the fight off better than he did against Gray Maynard, or he could be in a lot of trouble. That being said, Frankie's heart is the biggest edge in this fight, and I see him winning a grueling decision victory in a fight that is easily a Fight of the Night contender. Winner: Edgar by Decision


                                  Quick Predictions for the Rest of the Main Card


Rampage Jackson over Ryan Bader by KO in 2nd round: Bader's career was derailed with back-to-back losses against Jon Jones and Tito Ortiz. Rampage is coming off a loss against Jones also, and my be looking for one final run at the title.


Cheick Kongo over Mark Hunt by TKO in 1st round: The Frenchman, Kongo, is one of the most underrated heavyweights in the UFC, with his only losses coming against top competition.

Jake Shields over Yoshihiro Akiyama by Decision: Shields has been less than impressive in the UFC, losing his last two fights. But I don't see Akiyama putting up much of a fight against him, despite having the home-field advantage.

Yushin Okami over Tim Boetsch by Decison: Okami is looking to get back to his winning ways after a loss to Anderson Silva. He will be Boetsch's toughest opponent since his return to the UFC.

Bart Palaszewski over Hatsu Hioki by KO in 2nd round: Palaszewski has shown knockout power in his WEC-UFC career, winning knockout of the night twice. Hioki has built his career in Japan, with this being only his second UFC fight.

Joe Lauzon over Anthony Pettis by Submission in 3rd round: Lauzon relishes being in the underdog role, and always brings it. Pettis has an unorthodox striking repertoire. This could be the most entertaining fight of the night.