By Will Gray
Returning to the birthplace of martial arts known to the world today, the UFC entered into the Saitama Super Arena over this past weekend and delivered a card that was filled with highlight reel finishes, veteran comebacks (and defeats) and a title fight that was close after five rounds but saw a new champion crowned.
Fight Hub TV looks at this past weekend and shares their thoughts on everything that happened in the “Locker Room – UFC 144”
NEWLY CROWNED KING: Benson Henderson
After the WEC was absorbed into the UFC, many thought that the smaller promotion did not offer threats to the current fighters already signed to Zuffa. “Smooth” was always vocal in his desire to fight the best in the world and continued his cry when losing the WEC title to Anthony Pettis. Locking in wins over Mark Bocek, Jim Miller and Clay Guida, the Arizona fighter had has sights always on the gold for his division.
Meeting Frankie Edgar in a five round war that was every bit back and forth, Henderson proved to be the better man and earned the unanimous decision. Atop the most entertaining weight class in the UFC, his next opponent should be in my rightfully opinion be Frankie Edgar. To many it was a close fight and Edgar has been forced into two immediate rematches after his wins over B.J. Penn and Gray Maynard. I know there have been talks of Anthony Pettis but I believe in this case it would be the right thing to grant the former champ a rematch.
STOP, DROP AND BANG?
Frankie Edgar disputes that he did enough to defend his title and still remain champion after leaving Japan this weekend. Many have stated that Edgar needs to drop to the featherweight class and could perform better there though his manager does not share that opinion.
Ali Abdel Aziz spoke with MMAWeekly and stated, “Frankie needs the rematch with Henderson…Lorenzo Ferttita scored it 3-2 for Frankie; Dana White told me he scored Frankie winning the fight. A drop will happen, just not at this point.”
Always thought of as a small lightweight, Edgar possesses an “Answer” to many 145ers that could build up for great, entertaining fights. His wrestling and boxing would be trouble for Aldo, Mendes, Jung and others all on the list of opponents. Coupled with his relentless pace and never being finished, explosions are on the horizon if he decides to make the cut.
SECOND WIND
Coming into the UFC upside down on his record, Mark Hunt has gone on a tear recently and made his name known or remembered to MMA fans and the community as a whole. Standing across from dangerous striker, Cheick Kongo, the “Super Samoan” went in and did what only one other man has been able to do; knock out the Wolfslair heavyweight. Going on an impressive streak and looking better in physique each time, Hunt could be on a resurgence of his career that only adds depth into the heavyweight dynamic. Next up needs to be Roy Nelson. “Big Country” has the gas tank and power to finish Hunt and at the same time absorb damage that would come his way if he lasts the whole fight.
PETTIS ON WINNING TRACK
Anthony Pettis has found his swagger again and if he continues, he could be facing the UFC champ soon en route to another possible championship for the trophy shelf. After losing a decision to Clay Guida, then earning a split decision win over Jeremy Stephens, “Showtime” went to Japan on a mission to show the world that his WEC championship was no mistake. It took a head kick less than two minutes into his fight to remind us the kid is still here making claim to a title shot. Before a title fight is awarded though maybe put him in against Gray Maynard or Frankie Edgar as a build up and then we’ll talk.
WHAT HAPPENED?
Rampage Jackson loves Japan. His wife is Japanese, his children are Japanese and he wants to learn the language just to talk crap to his Japanese friends and kids. His love for Japan and desire to put on an epic bout with Ryan Bader this last weekend was so big, he let it get in the way of his weight.
Coming in six pounds over the limit, the fight was made at a catch weight of 211 lbs and Jackson had to forfeit 20% of his purse. If that would not be enough to motivate a knockout from the former UFC champion, he went out and was outclassed by Ryan Bader for fifteen minutes and dropped a decision in front of a packed house at the Saitama Super Arena.
Dropping this fight and not finishing a fight since 2008, Jackson appears to be done. He has stated since the Rashad Evans debacle that he has lost his drive and desire to fight; he would rather pursue Hollywood instead of the gym. Maybe this is his curtain call and he needs to hang it up. Why then go out and lose plus put yourself at risk for injury if your heart is not in it?
