Frankie Edgar will look to "start strong" against Ben Henderson
Posted on February 20, 2012, 02:29 PM by Joey Santosus"I'm really not concerned too much about where the fight goes. It could go anywhere. So, I've got to be ready for that. I want to come out strong in the first-round, and if I can win the first-round and build from there, that would obviously be the best scenario. Even in my last two fights I wanted to get off to a strong start, but that's not the way it happened. I don't want to be down big in a fight against Ben Henderson. So, I've got to make sure that I'm on my A-game right out of the gate." - UFC Lightweight Champion Frankie Edgar
Despite the Rocky comparisons and "Fight of the Year" awards, Frankie Edgar isn't looking for a repeat performance in Japan.
At least, not exactly. After staging an amazing comeback from a heavy first-round deficit in both his second and third encounters with Gray Maynard, Edgar says he'll be looking to get off to a strong start when he meets Ben Henderson at UFC 144.
Following close contests with both Maynard and B.J. Penn, each of which resulted in instant rematches, Henderson will mark just the third opponent that Edgar has faced in five-consecutive title fights. Though the New Jersey native has managed to emerge with the belt intact from each of those match-ups, he acknowledges the potential consequences of falling behind against "Smooth." But, what do you think LowKick'ers? Will Edgar have an answer for his first-round curse, or will Henderson put him in a position that not even "The Comeback Kid" can overcome?
Photo: Francis Specker
Comments
im rooting for bendo
How can you not root for Frankie? His last few fights have been straightup inspirational.
mannn I cant even be bias for this fight Ive followed Frankie for
a long time guy has fought guys in the top 5 ratings for years the guy could fight 145 no problem so everyone is usually bigger then him has awesome
attitude when he does lose which I hope it isnt for a while but it is decisive
and not by close decision its a true lose but think he will do great against Ben Pettis was suppose to have the fight and missed out and think Frankie will out work him and TKO in the end of the 4th
I am surprised at how much Frankie gets under estimated even with his incredible wins he has had. I have read in other interviews that people think henderson is just to big but I wonder if these guys have ever seen Maynard. He is a huge LW. I really like henderson but I will always vote for Frankie. This should be an AWESOME FIGHT!!!!
I expect Frankie to have another come from behind victory.
Benson is gonna put Frankie to shame...
By "start strong", Frankie, do you mean getting your clock cleaned for the entire first round like your last 2 fights??
Why is it if someone wants Ben to win they are getting "weaked"?, everyone is entitled to their own opinion
I like Ben and think he has good chances I just Like Frankie more I always go for the underdog and even though he is the champ and has defended his belt he is always the underdog.
Get used to it, some people click weak because they dont like a user's name.
Frankie has a story--but so does Bendo.
This has the potential of being the best fight of the year.
I don't think that Frankie gets no respect from fans, but rather, the LW division is the most stacked in the UFC after the merger with the WEC. There are so many talented LWs vying for the belt--that even though Frankie is champion, the contenders form a long line--and no one sees Frankie as dominant in such a stacked division as AS, GSP and Aldo are in their divisions.
i see frankie being on his back a lot, and not being able to do anything there, so i hope he makes the most of the time on his feet and doesn't throw weak jabs for too long
Gray Maynard is a very high level wrestler and so is Sherk and Frankie was able to do fine against them and they are both very big and powerful LW. I do not think people give Frankie enough credit but he will once again earn his respect.
Frankie's only weakness is when hes being swarmed, his ability to make it through made him champ, but he wont always get away with that. Thats where size does matter. When Frankie loses it will be by decision or someone with great cardio swarmed on him and got the finish.
I think this fight still should've been Edgar vs. Guida...why? Because clay guida deserved the title shot long before bendo...guida had like 4 or 5 straight wins? And bendo lost to Pettis,when guida schooled Pettis..and yeah bendo and guida fought a good fight I still think guida vs. Edgar would've been a far better fight than this one....just my 2 cents...guida deserves his title shot and for this fight GO EDGAR!!
The fact that both the Pettis fight and Bendo went to decision tells me something. If you cant finish Guida...well...
Bendo didn't finish Guida, but I don't think we've ever seen anyone dominate him the whole length of the fight the way he did. A win's a win. He kept up with Guida's pace and laid into him for 3 rounds, then he didn't even look tired afterward. Not many people can do that.
Guida is a gatekeeper. He doesn't have the skills to enter the upper tier of the LW division. Even with the help of Greg Jackson.
He's a brawler with excellent wrestling and amazing endurance. That's not good enough against more technically proficient fighters. Bendo exposed this. I love the guy's attitude and his energetic fights are fun to watch. But he'll always be that guy you have to get past on your way up the ladder.