Henderson vs Melendez

[Fish Head]

I see that Benson is nearly a 3-1 favorite. I'm a Benson Henderson fan, but those odds might be a little high. Melendez is pretty good and has something to prove. Although Henderson destroyed Diaz. It should be a good fight.

I'm hoping Henderson and Cormier win. I've never liked Frank Mir.

Your thought?

[mrklean]

its going to be one of the best fights this year. I hope Cormier destroys Mir just never been a fan of that guy

[mainbutter]

I'm a Benson Henderson fan, but those odds might be a little high.

I would tend to agree, I love B.Henderson, but I'm on the fence about calling this fight for him, and here's why:

- His wins, with the exception of the ones against F.Edgar, are not against fighters that I see as "top 3" talent.

- He is not a finisher against top 10 talent, with the SOLE exception of against D.Cerrone.

- He loses rounds against top talent.

I think despite his legacy in MMA, there are still many unknowns about B.Henderson, all related to the best lightweight fighters being split between multiple promotions for the past decade.

G.Melendez has the EXACT same problems for anyone trying to call the fight.

That said, the most impressive thing for me about Henderson is how different he is since his loss to Pettis. He seems way more dangerous, and if he keeps getting stronger and fine tuning his skills, we could very well see a dominant lightweight champion this Saturday.

I agree with the majority of oddsmakers that the likely outcome is Henderson. I see it by decision, as I don't see it by submission against Melendez. However, I don't feel that I'd give it the same 3-1 odds, particularly BECAUSE of the trickiness of scoring.

As far as Cormier vs Mir.. I don't have the same dislike for Mir that others do. I'd actually put money on Mir before Cormier. Mir is 6-0 in non title fights going back to 2007, and while he is 1-3 in title fights, just look at the competition and style match-ups he faced. Finally having the reach advantage in a fight, being physically stronger, and the likelihood of this fight spending some time on the ground all plays into Frank Mir's hand.

Cormier has power, but his striking is a different problem for Mir to overcome than the stuff from JDS that completely shut Mir down. Mir has had a perfectly fine time dealing with the striking from:

- Nelson

- Cro Cop

- Kongo

Cormier's striking is so similar to all 3 of those guys that I think Mir will handle himself well enough on the feet to give himself a better than 50/50 shot at a win.

[JBMasterAngler]

Personally I think Melendez is overrated. With that being said, I think he's also the best fighter coming out of strike force. He's also had lot's of inactivity in the last few years. Henderson wins exciting unanimous decision (4 of 5 rounds by all judges).

[Fish Head]

Cormier has power, but his striking is a different problem for Mir to overcome than the stuff from JDS that completely shut Mir down. Mir has had a perfectly fine time dealing with the striking from:

- Nelson

- Cro Cop

- Kongo

Cormier's striking is so similar to all 3 of those guys that I think Mir will handle himself well enough on the feet to give himself a better than 50/50 shot at a win.

However you might be able to say that Cormier's striking is simular to Shane Carwin's, who absolutely destroyed Mir. (you can tell I don't like Frank)

Benson hasn't been finishing fights, but I think he's still improving. I don't think we've seen the best of Henderson yet.

[CANOPY SAM]

I think we see Henderson pretty much dialed in. He may get better, but he's lethal right now. He'll take out Melendez early in the fight.

If Cormier fights anything like Carwin he'll finish Mir quickly as well. Shane Carwin is an animal.

[Black_Bay]

I wonder if the officials are going to make sure that Henderson doesn't have a toothpick in his mouth.

[Fish Head]

I wonder if the officials are going to make sure that Henderson doesn't have a toothpick in his mouth.

I know!! That may be the most insane thing I've ever heard of. This guy fights with a toothpick in his mouth???

Henderson has improved quite a bit since moving to the UFC. A couple years back, I don't think any of us here would have predicted he would be 6-0 in the UFC and going for his 3 straight title defense. That's why I think he's still improving. But who knows. Time will tell...

[topcat3820]

Here's a prediction... Bendo stands around, posturing and pushing his hair our of his face, occasionally throwing leg kicks. If he's hit with a fist, leg kick or if it goes to the clinch, he'll immediately throw his hand to the mat, making anything his opponent hits him with an "illegal strike" .

God, I hate his "style", for lack of a better word ... war, Melendez .

[mainbutter]

In retrospect I think I'm happy saying I was on the fence about calling henderson vs melendez.

Another close title fight for Benson with plenty arguing that he lost, despite the judge's score card. Sooner or later, a guy that loses rounds and can't finish top talent will come out on the other side of the score cards.

If there is another automatic rematch of the LW belt, I'm probably going to stop caring about this weight class.. until Jose Aldo comes up

[mrklean]

Good to see Mir loose

[JBMasterAngler]

48-47 was a good score...but for 1 judge to give it to Melendez? He won the 1st round for sure, and the 5th round could've went either way, but Henderson clearly won the 2nd, 3rd, and 4th rounds! I'm not too interested in seeing a rematch. Sounds like Gray Maynard is gonna get the next crack (if he wins his next fight) at Henderson.

Josh Thomson looked really good. And it's always nice to see Diaz get beat down! 1 more impressive fight and he'll be right there in the title mix. Cormier/Mir was a snooze fest! Cormier doesn't impress me at all! And he's already preached numerous times he won't fight Cain Velasquez. So if he doesn't drop to 205, then there really isn't anything for him to fight for Although it'd be really fun to see his face get smashed by a Roy Nelson overhand right!

[mainbutter]

Dana White was playing the "fought a safe fight" card and doing some damage control trying to save the public's interest in Cormier after his UFC debut. They want to market him as an exciting, powerful, capable competitor who will potentially dethrone champions, but they aren't able to do that with performances like last night.

[Fish Head]

I was very happy to see Mir and Diez loose!! I guess Diez is moving to 170 and Cormier to 205. I think for Cormier thats a good move, but Diez lost 2 in a row at 155 and I think he will be far less competitive as a welterweight.