Edgar (left) defends title against Henderson on UFC's return to Japan. Photo: Josh Hedges
Ultimate arrives in Japan, this Saturday (25), for UFC 144. The event, which will not have any Brazilians in the fight program, features as its main attraction the duel valid for the lightweight belt, where Frankie Edgar will defend his kingdom before Ben henderson.
With 14 wins and just one loss in his career, Frankie Edgar has always been one of the organization's most discreet champions. Although not very impressive outside the octagon, Edgar leaves no doubts inside it. Without losing since 2008, he has a complete game – highlighting his skills as a wrestler and striker –, exceptional physical conditioning and, as became clear after the draw with Gray Maynard in the five-round battle at UFC 125, a tough chin.
Now, the champion will be put to the test against Ben henderson, who held the WEC lightweight title for over a year. Of the 15 victories in his career, eight came by submission and two by knockout. The defeat for Anthony Pettis in 2010 – the same one that cost him the belt of the now defunct event – was his first since 2007. “Bendo”, who since then started a sequence of three triumphs (complete advantage since arriving in the UFC), qualified to compete for the belt after a victory over Clay guida in November, in a battle awarded the Fight of the Night bonus.
“He has a great chin, a big heart and has shown himself to be a great champion, as well as being a really nice guy. It will be fun to 'dance' against him”, said Henderson about his opponent.
Rampage return to your “second home” against Ryan bader
Another highlight of the show will be the return of Quinton Rampage Jackson to Japan. The North American, who made his name in the Land of the Rising Sun, faces Ryan bader in the second most important fight of the night.
Jackson is eager to return to the country where he became a sporting legend. Boasting an aggressive fighting style, in addition to his already famous sense of humor, the charismatic Rampage PRIDE experienced its golden age. In 2007, he became the first unified MMA champion, defeating Dan Henderson and unite the PRIDE and UFC titles. Its bond with Japan is so strong that Rampage insisted on participating in UFC 144.
“I've had a lot of success here, but the real reason I was so excited to fight at UFC 144 is the special bond I have with the Japanese fans,” he declared. “I really missed fighting here, with all the energy of the place and how they go crazy, but always in a respectful way. I was determined to be on this card, I must have asked Dana (White) a thousand times. Honestly, I wouldn’t have even minded fighting on the preliminary card, I just wanted to be here,” he joked. Rampage.
Rampage have something in common with your opponent, Ryan bader. The two saw good trajectories come to an end at the hands of the current light heavyweight champion, Jon Jones. Bader, winner of the eighth season of TUF and once one of the organization's biggest prospects, was submitted by Jones after a four-fight winning streak (plus the Ultimate Fighter final). Then he lost to Tito Ortiz. Recovered after a victory over Jason Brilz, the decorated wrestler seeks to show, this Saturday, that he deserves his place at the top: “Finally I can prove myself again with a fight like this. It’s my opportunity to defeat him and show that I belong at the top of the division.”
Check out the complete UFC 144 card below, which will be broadcast live on the Combate channel from 23pm:
Main card:
Frankie Edgar vs. Ben henderson
Ryan bader vs. Quinton “Rampage”Jackson
Cheick Kongo Vs. Mark Hunt
Yoshihiro Akiyama vs. Jake Shields
Tim Boetsch vs. Yushin Okami
Hatsu Hioki vs. Bart Palaszewski
Joe lauzon vs. Anthony Pettis
Preliminary card:
Takanori Gomi vs. Eiji Mitsuoka
Vaughan Lee vs. Norifumi “Kid” Yamamoto
Steve Cantwell vs. Riki Fukuda
Chris Cariaso vs. Takeya Mizugaki
Tiequan Zhang vs. Issei Tamura
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