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Sherdog Pick’Em Trends: UFC 150 ‘Henderson vs. Edgar 2’
By: Sherdog.com Staff
Benson Henderson in February became the UFC’s lightweight champion by handing Frankie Edgar his first loss in nearly four years. To keep the belt, he will have to repeat the feat at UFC 150, which takes place at the Pepsi Center in Denver on Saturday. The majority of players in Sherdog.com’s MMA Pick’Em fantasy game are confident in Henderson’s staying power as champion, as 73 percent have chosen him to defeat Edgar for a second straight time.
A former WEC 155-pound titlist, Henderson is unbeaten in the Octagon since joining the UFC in 2011. Prior to his five-round verdict over Edgar, the MMA Lab representative defeated Mark Bocek, Jim Miller and Clay Guida in his first three appearances with the promotion.
Edgar became lightweight champion at UFC 112 by upsetting B.J. Penn. “The Answer” then defeated Penn again at UFC 118 before battling Gray Maynard to a draw at UFC 125. The New Jersey native made an emphatic statement against Maynard at UFC 136, however, scoring a fourth-round knockout against “The Bully.”
In the co-main event, a whopping 87 percent of participants like Donald Cerrone to get the best of former Jackson’s Mixed Martial Arts teammate Melvin Guillard in another lightweight affair.
After beginning his UFC career with four straight wins, Cerrone came up short against Nate Diaz at UFC 141. The “Cowboy” has since rebounded, striking his way to a clear-cut decision win over Jeremy Stephens in May.
After consecutive losses to Joe Lauzon and Jim Miller knocked Guillard from title contention, “The Young Assassin” returned to his winning ways with a methodical unanimous decision triumph against Fabricio Camoes at UFC 148.
Other Pick’Em trends for UFC 150:
• In his first bout at middleweight since 2010, Jake Shields has drawn favor from 82 percent of users against “The Ultimate Fighter 3” finalist Ed Herman. Shields went 2-2 at welterweight in the UFC, most notably falling to Georges St. Pierre in a title bout at UFC 129. Meanwhile, Herman has won three straight fights since returning from a knee injury;
• An overwhelming 96 percent of players believe Yushin Okami will halt a two-bout skid against short-notice opponent Buddy Roberts in a middleweight tussle. Okami suffered a heartbreaking defeat at UFC 144, as he was knocked out by Tim Boetsch in the third round after dominating the first 10 minutes. Roberts was victorious in his Octagon debut, earning a decision over Caio Magalhaes in June;
• Justin Lawrence wowed viewers with his striking skills on the most recent season of “The Ultimate Fighter,” and 77 percent of competitors believe he will get the best of Max Holloway in a featherweight clash. Lawrence knocked out John Cofer with a head kick at the “The Ultimate Fighter 15” Finale, while Holloway bounced back from a loss to Dustin Poirier in his promotional debut to earn a dominant decision over Pat Schilling on that same card;
• In preliminary bouts, users favor Dennis Bermudez (88 percent) over Tommy Hayden, Jared Hamman (67 percent) over Michael Kuiper, Nik Lentz (91 percent) over Eiji Mitsuoka, Dustin Pague (83 percent) over Chico Camus and Erik Perez (71 percent) over Ken Stone.
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Poll: Best Lightweight Ever?
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Chuck Mindenhall Joins Press Row
By: Jordan Breen
Every Wednesday, Administrative Editor Jordan Breen welcomes a member of the mixed martial arts media into “Press Row” on the Sherdog.com blog. This week, Breen is joined by ESPN.com's Chuck Mindenhall.
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In the wake of UFC 144 in Saitama, Japan, Breen and Mindenhall discuss the outcome of Frankie Edgar-Benson Henderson and the MMA-wide discussions about scoring that the bout has instigated. The two discuss whether or not the climate of MMA regulation and judging has improved in recent years, and whether or not there are fundamental philosophical differences about fighting and judging that the sport can never reconcile.
Breen and Mindenhall also rap on video replay, open scoring, advice for Nevada Athletic Commission boss Keith Kizer and more.
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Podcast: Beatdown After The Bell
By: Jared Koll
TJ De Santis and Jordan Breen returned to The Sherdog Radio Network following "UFC 144: Edgar vs. Henderson" from Saitama, Japan. The two men broke down all the action, which saw Benson Henderson get crowned the new lightweight champion with a unanimous decision nod over Frankie Edgar.. Check out the show by clicking here.
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Podcast: UFC 144 Roundtable
By: TJ De Santis
Jack Encarnacao was back on The Sherdog Radio Network Friday for a UFC 144 Rountable discussion. Joining Jack were Sherdog contributors Jordan Breem and Todd Martin, as well as Wrestling Observer's Dave Meltzer.
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The gang shared their thoughts, broke down the fights, and picked the winners for the UFC's return to the Saitama Super Arena in Japan, where UFC lightweight Frankie Edgar will defend his strap against challenger Ben Henderson.
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Sherdog Pick’Em Trends: UFC 144 Main Card
By: Sherdog.com Staff
For the past two years, Frankie Edgar has been the underdog.
Now, heading into his main event bout against Ben Henderson at UFC 144 on Saturday at the Saitama Super Arena in Saitama, Japan, the lightweight champion has finally earned the role of favorite. In the Sherdog MMA Pick’Em fantasy game, 56 percent of players believe “The Answer” will defend his crown against former World Extreme Cagefighting 155-pound champion Henderson.
Edgar captured lightweight gold at UFC 112 by defeating B.J. Penn in a contentious decision. The New Jersey native defeated Penn more decisively at UFC 118, once again in a five-round affair. His two bouts against Gray Maynard were among the most memorable of 2011: the two combatants fought to a draw on New Year’s day, and Edgar avenged the only defeat of his career via knockout at UFC 136.
Henderson has been impressive since losing to Anthony Pettis in the final WEC event in 2010, besting Mark Bocek, Jim Miller and Clay Guida inside the Octagon. The MMA Lab representative went the distance in all three bouts.
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‘The Answer’ Puts Opponents in ‘Jeopardy’
By: Carlos Arias
UFC lightweight champion Frankie Edgar is always training and trying to find a way to hone his skills, but how does the champ relax when he is away from the gym?
“I’m always watching ‘Jeopardy,’” Edgar said. “That’s a little unique.”
It seems fitting that the fighter known as “The Answer” would be into America’s favorite quiz show. Just make sure that the answer is in the form of a question.
“I’m alright,” Edgar said of his “Jeopardy” prowess. “My wife thinks I’m better than I am. If I was on the show, I’d probably get creamed. I’m good at home. That’s about it.”
So against whom would Edgar be willing to test his “Jeopardy” skills?
“Maybe against some of these UFC fighters,” Edgar said, “but not against these ‘Jeopardy’ guys.”
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Brent Brookhouse Joins Press Row
By: Jordan Breen
Every Wednesday, Administrative Editor Jordan Breen welcomes a member of the mixed martial arts media into “Press Row” on the Sherdog.com blog. This week, Breen is joined by BloodyElbow.com's Brent Brookhouse.
Breen and Brookhouse discuss UFC 144's evolution into one of the year's best cards on paper, Japanese nostalgia and how the event could impact the lightweight division. The pair also debate which Pride production perks would make fans the happiest, and trade their favorite so-bad-it's-good Pride moments.
The duo also debate which UFC 144 participants will fight for a title in 2012, whether or not it's still apt to call the event a vanity show and more.
Grab your credential and get a seat in “Press Row.”
The above file can be saved in MP3 format here.
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Sherdog MMA Pick’Em: UFC 144
By: Sherdog.com Staff
Frankie Edgar is more accustomed to fighting as an underdog than as a favorite. | Photo: Dave Mandel
UFC 144 “Edgar vs. Henderson” on Saturday in Saitama, Japan, will mark the Ultimate Fighting Championship’s first appearance in the Land of the Rising Sun in more than a decade, as lightweight kingpin Frankie Edgar defends his 155-pound crown against former WEC champion Ben Henderson.
The pay-per-view event will also serve as the next chance for Sherdog MMA Pick’Em players to showcase their knowledge and expertise in the site’s groundbreaking fantasy game. Registration is available through Sherdog.com and Facebook. Sherdog MMA Pick’Em made its debut on Jan.7, with Strikeforce “Rockhold vs. Jardine,” and has continued to pick up steam.
Unbeaten in his past seven appearances, Edgar (14-1-1, 9-1-1 UFC) last fought at UFC 136 in October, when he closed out his memorable trilogy with Gray Maynard by knocking out “The Bully” in the fourth round at the Toyota Center in Houston. Wins over former two-division UFC titleholder B.J. Penn (twice), onetime UFC lightweight champion Sean Sherk and AMA Fight Club standout Jim Miller anchor the 30-year-old Toms River, N.J., native’s resume. Edgar, who now trains under former middleweight King of Pancrase Ricardo Almeida, wrestled collegiately at Clarion University of Pennsylvania, where he was a four-time national qualifier.
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ESPN MMA's Hot Button: Who is Edgar's Toughest Test?
By: Sherdog.com Staff
Every week inside ESPN.com's MMA section, two scribes debate the most pressing issues in the sport in the Hot Button.
This week, Sherdog.com Administrative Editor Jordan Breen and ESPN.com's Chuck Mindenhall debate which 155-pounder has the best chance of ending Frankie Edgar's reign atop the lightweight division.
With top challenger Ben Henderson on deck for Feb. 26 in Saitama, Japan, is Edgar in for his stiffest test to date against the former WEC king's boundless energy? Or, does the unrelenting offense and toughness of current Strikeforce lightweight champion Gilbert Melendez offer the Toms River, N.J., native his toughest task at 155?
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