UFC 164: Henderson vs. Pettis – A Closer Look

When the fighters first crossed paths in 2010, it happened in front of the champion’s stomping grounds for the final World Extreme Cage fighting bout in the company’s history. At the time, Arizona had no clue that it would witness history when then its proud son and title holder, Benson Henderson, took on Anthony Pettis at WEC 53. That evening, Benson dropped the belt to Anthony by way of decision in an upset that would forever echo throughout the MMA hallways thanks to the excellent performance of both combatants, Pettis’ infamous “Showtime Kick” off of the cage wall and his nonchalant capturing of WEC gold in hostile territory. Fast forward a few years later and August of 2013 is the date chosen by destiny to rekindle this storied rivalry. They are once again the main event, Henderson is once again the champ and once again Pettis has climbed to the top of the 155-pound ladder to challenge for the title. However, while almost everything in the sequel resembles its predecessor, one crucial detail is different.  The rematch arrives this weekend in Milwaukee, Wisconsin, the place that Pettis calls home. Therefore, in the headliner at UFC 164 when Benson Henderson clashes with arch nemesis Anthony Pettis, will it be repeat or revenge?  Here is a closer look at the 5 round championship match tomorrow night.

“Smooth” Benson Henderson (18-2) enters the cage riding a stellar 7-fight win streak, all by decisions, stemming from his UFC debut back in April of 2011. That night at UFC 129, Benson dispatched of Mark Bocek with relative ease then later that summer at UFC Live 5, he pulled off the upset against Jim Miller. At the time, Miller was considered to be on his way to a title shot entering the Henderson fight on the heels of a 7-fight win streak.  That victory landed Henderson a co-main event spot opposite Clay Guida at the inaugural UFC on FOX card that fall. Benson’s dismantling of Clay that evening earned him a title opportunity the following year in Japan at UFC 144. He challenged for the belt as an underdog and snatched the crown from light weight king, Frankie Edgar. Benson repeated that performance in a rematch against Edgar that summer at UFC 150 where he successfully defended his UFC belt for the first time. Henderson closed out 2012 by taking on Nate Diaz at UFC on FOX 5, cruising to triumph as he out struck and outworked Diaz. In 2013, Henderson has only fought once but it was a war opposite the final Strikeforce 155-pound champion, who was on a 7-fight win streak, Gilbert Melendez. Melendez hadn’t lost since 2008 but Henderson’s swiftness, solid strikes and footwork halted the momentum and streak of the last ever Strikeforce lightweight title holder at UFC on FOX 7 earlier this year.

Commonly known as the last lightweight champion in WEC history; Anthony “Showtime” Pettis (16-2), slides into the Octagon to finally challenge for UFC gold.  Originally scheduled to face then champion Frankie Edgar in 2011, a draw between Edgar and Gray Maynard that year spoiled Pettis’ plans.  Nevertheless, instead of sitting out and waiting on the championship outcome, Pettis chose activity over ring rust & rolled the dice, unfortunately this would prove to be a costly gamble. He headlined against Clay Guida at the TUF 13 Finale and wound up taking an embarrassing unanimous decision defeat in his UFC debut.  Rather than let the loss diminish his flame, Anthony immediately bounced back that fall at UFC 136 with a decision triumph over Jeremy Stephens. He then stepped it up in 2012 for his first trip to the Land of The Rising Sun, scorching Joe Lauzon at UFC 144 via 1^st round KO in less than 2 minutes.  The Wisconsin native then locked horns this year at UFC on FOX 6 against fellow former WEC alumni, Donald “Cowboy” Cerrone. The ex-WEC title contender, Cerrone, had never been KO’d in his 25 professional bouts. Pettis effortlessly managed to do so with a single, perfectly placed kick to the body annihilating his foe just halfway into the 1^st round.

Going into tomorrow’s stellar match-up one unusual dynamic will certainly be questioned: rarely has a UFC champion been this dominant yet completely lacked the finishes that normally accompany his resume at this level of the sport.  Not to say that Benson Henderson’s run isn’t noteworthy but continuous decisions only provoke questions as well as omissions.  His last few fights have been split verdicts and it’s more than conceivable that the judges could favor the flashier striker in Pettis if the battle goes the distance.  The reigning lightweight champion has already accomplished what few have and that’s defending the UFC 155-pound belt 3 times. Now, he goes for a record-setting 4^th lightweight title defense in enemy territory with the once in a life time opportunity to do so by relinquishing the last opponent to beat him in that man’s home turf. If that’s not fate smiling at Henderson and winking, I don’t know what is?  Or, does destiny desperately desire Anthony Pettis to pick up where he left off a few chapters back by replicating that WEC showcase with his patented “Showtime” style that can thwart any Henderson offense that the champion can muster preventing him from finding his timing, rhythm and range? There is only one way to find out and that’s by tuning in tomorrow night live for the UFC 164: Henderson vs. Pettis event live from Milwaukee, Wisconsin on PPV.