Ben Henderson says it would be "criminal" not to give Frankie Edgar a rematch
Posted on March 28, 2012, 02:39 PM by Joey SantosusUFC Lightweight Champion Benson Henderson, who will meet Frankie Edgar for the second time this year, looks back on his performance in Japan and shares his thoughts on "The Answer" being granted an immediate rematch. Henderson says he "absolutely" agrees with the decision to book the rematch, insisting that not doing so would be "criminal." The champ also talks about a future encounter with Anthony Pettis, who currently stands as the last man to defeat him.
Ben Henderson
"Frankie gave two rematches. It's criminal not to give him a rematch after a decision, because as a champ, he gave two rematches. I think it's something that has to be done sometimes. There's just no alternative. It does create a bit of a log-jam, I guess you could say, for the top. But, if you're a challenger, the idea is you have to keep winning - it doesn't matter. You have to keep on winning. So, if there's a log-jam - guess what? You got to fight. You got to win. Oh well, that's the way life goes."
I would say probably not so much (does Anthony Pettis deserve a title shot). He had a split decision over an unranked Jeremy Stephens. I believe Ariel Helwani had Joe Lauzon ranked number-ten. Nice win - a good stoppage over a number-ten guy. I don't think that catapults you over guys like Jim Miller or Nate Diaz, who are on a nice little run. So, it's hard to say, really. ... We're going to do it. Before I retire, before I die - he and I are going to dance again in the Octagon."
Further Reading: Ben Henderson vs. Frankie Edgar II set for Summer event
Comments
But Jim Miller lost to a guy who was ranked at number 12.....who was none other then Bendo himself.
Then Miller beat Guillard who was ranked 12, after almost getting KO'd.
Meanwhile
Pettis just easily beat Lauzon who fought Guillard and did better then Miller did.
Nate Diaz beat Gomi (who can barely beat a mediocre fighter)
and beat Donald Cerrone(#9 at the time)
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In conclusion:
Bendo is ducking Pettis ;D
Bendo is smart...he know hes got Frankies number.
Spoken like a man who knows he has Frankie's number.
Don't get me wrong, I think Edgar is great. I picked him to beat BJ both times. The thing is...forget 154. Best 135lb fighter on the planet.
woops, "was forget 145"
Who cares about the ranks? If a guy beats someone good or is one a wins streak give him a title shot.
If anyone I'm this world deserves a rematch, it's Edgar. How can you have him fight in back to back, to back to back wars with BJ & Gray, and them not give him his due after another hard fought war?
Not to mention that he clearly defeated Bendo according to the unified rules of mixed martial arts. Great upkick by Henderson tho. Both great fighters and I wouldn't be surprised by a victory for either man in the second fight, just like I wasn't sure about the first... Edgar still won tho.
I've always been accustomed to "a fighter who wins the title must win convincingly" but then again, Ive never seen it in the rules personally. I feel it was too close to give it to Bendo...just MO
The Rua, Machida fight (1st one) went the way I usually see it. He didnt beat Machida convincingly, therefore he got the rematch because it was so close. The 2nd fight cleared it up.
What are you talking about? Bendo won imo clearly... and i am not biased. But franky still deserves a rematch thats for sure.
@Joey are you f**king serious man? bendo clearly beat frankie! i had ben winning at least 3 rounds if not 4, there is no way frankie won that fight, i like frankie im a fan of his but no way!!
Someone need a reality check.
First, the rules say you can win by KO, TKO, sub, Tech. sub or decision (or default in some cases). So . . . Ben won according to the "rules" you were quick to reference.
Second, get your head out of Frankie's arse. He lost. It was close, but he lost, period. To say he "clearly" beat Ben is beyond a stretch.
You're misunderstanding my "reference." I know how a fight can end lol
Scoring criteria is the key.
And my head is in no such place. Let's keep it adult here... Ben is a great fighter and makes a great champion. There just needs to be a level of consistency in judging. I'm comfortable with either man representing the Lightweight division, but watching without bias, I felt Frankie won.
C'mon, adutls have thick skin right? Learn to take a joke.
My problem, mostly, is that you said Frankie "cleraly" won. I think Ben won. Either way, neither won "cleraly."
Sure. But the scoring criteria is the reason we have so many bad decisions. It's like for once, they judged it the way it should be judged. Gave it to the fighter that did the most damage. and boy did he ever do the most damage in that fight.
I think Edgar's style will always make him prone to close decisions against the very best out there because lacking a finish he is one of the very best out there. I thought he edged the last fight but it was close, very close either way so no grumbles about his loss.
Imagine how dominant Edgar would be if he was as big as a proper LW.