Water Cooler Talk: UFC on FOX 7 Edition

The UFC’s latest free offering on the FOX network brought with it a couple of answers but as expected, left us with new questions regarding some UFC stars in various weight classes. Here are some things that we are also pondering along with fight fans going back to work on Monday now that the dust has settled from the UFC on FOX 7 event from San Jose, California’s HP Pavilion.

IS BENSON HENDERSON THE LIGHTWEIGHT VERSION OF GSP?

After his split verdict conquest over former Strikeforce champion, Gilbert Melendez (21-3), this past Saturday in the UFC on FOX 7 main event, it appears that Benson “Smooth” Henderson’s (19-2 ) lightweight title run will continue being cluttered with decision after decision win. The headliner in San Jose this past weekend saw the former WEC lightweight champion walk away triumphantly from his 3rd consecutive title defense by earning a split decision over ex-title holder, Melendez. However, while some critics might argue that they would like to see a more dominant reign of terror highlighted by Henderson finishes, you can’t help but appreciate the “Smooth” one’s grind it out, back and forth-style approach to his victories.  As a matter of fact, the 25-minute battles resemble the recent rumbles of another top
“Pound For Pound” great in UFC welterweight champion, Georges St. Pierre, who has defeated  his last 6 opponents all by decision.

Since migrating from the WEC, Henderson has gone undefeated by toppling his 7 talented UFC adversaries by decisions. Following his capture of the 155 lb crown from Frankie Edgar at UFC 144 back in February of 2012, Benson has since tied former 2-divison UFC champ, BJ Penn, in title defenses thanks to his UFC on FOX 7 win. The victory not only marks his 3rd successful title defense but he now surpasses Sean Sherk’s title reign of 420 days, the third longest recorded in the UFC lightweight division. Now, with the history books in his cross hairs, the newly engaged fighter closes in on the opportunity to create a legacy in the Octagon unparalleled to any other 155er that has laced up the gloves before him. Sure, Henderson can be compared to the Canadian titleholder since he outworks, outwrestles and out
maneuvers his opposition time and time again on his way to victory, but Henderson knows that the scorecards point out the simplest yet most important of truth; at the end of the day it’s all about the “W”. So, whether those decisions prompt voiced comparisons or criticism, Benson Henderson knows that he makes the most noise when his hand is raised as he moves closer towards MMA immortality.

HOW MUCH LONGER BEFORE BROWN GETS A TITLE SHOT?

If he was pulling off controversial wins or sneaking away with split decisions maybe it could be considered under the radar, but as of late, “The Immortal” Matt Brown has scorched through the 170-pound division with a scary trail of upsets the likes rarely seen in such a talent-rich division. Brown’s current 5-fight win streak all started with his 2nd round TKO destruction of Chris Cope at UFC 143.  A unanimous decision upset over heavy favorite and then unbeaten,
Stephen Thomson at UFC 145 followed before Brown put away all 3 of his next opponents, all in the 2nd round. Luis Ramos, Mike Swick and Jordan Mein never made it to the final bell thanks to the Ohio native’s striking & deadly aggression.

With another heavily favored fighter being defeated at the hands of “The Immortal” in his most recent outing this past Saturday, how much longer before Brown is facing a top 10 opponent, or finds himself ranked amongst the upper echelon of the weight class? There is no denying The Ultimate Fighter season 7 cast members’ head-turning warpath and the excitement that his name can bring to any UFC event. It’s probably just a matter of time before Matt Brown finds himself headlining an event as he challenges for his first ever world title in the UFC’s welterweight division.

SHOULD CORMIER PURSUE THAT DROP TO 205 THAT HE PREVIOUSLY SPOKE ABOUT?

In the co-main event Saturday night former UFC champion, Frank Mir (16-7), welcomed Strikeforce Heavyweight Grand Prix winner Daniel Cormier (12-0) to the Octagon. For 3 rounds, the unbeaten California resident had his way with the Las Vegan as he used his superior wrestling and striking to slide within the pocket avoiding any danger. When not using movement, the undefeated ex-Strikeforce warrior used the clinch to keep Mir at close quarters or plant him along cage wall, shutting down any offense the 2-time UFC title holder had in mind. Cormier casually cruised to the unanimous decision victory in his UFC debut making easy work of Frank Mir and not too long ago was the only fighter to have knocked out Antonio “Bigfoot” Silva when they met in the Strikeforce Heavyweight Grand Prix.

Cormier had mentioned taking on Mir then going down to the UFC’s 205lb division in hopes of challenging light heavyweight king, Jon “Bones” Jones. “Bigfoot” is fighting for the title in May in a rematch against heavyweight ruler, Cain Velasquez. If Silva pulls off the upset, wouldn’t it be smarter for Daniel to linger in the heavies where he would probably get the next title shot versus a man he already dispatched of in 1 round? Only Daniel Cormier knows what he will do next, but let’s just hope its strategically executed just like his perfect record inside the cage.