UFC 164: Henderson vs. Pettis
If you are someone who prefers to watch two sluggish fighters with little skill, poor technique almost no drive, stay away from Saturday night's lightweight title bout.
Benson Henderon, the UFC's lightweight champion, takes on the last man to beat and rob him him of the WEC lightweight championship belt, Anthony Pettis.
"Smooth" Henderson exemplifies his nickname mixing in constant jabs and low kicks into take downs. Henderson's athleticism and cardio overwhelm most opponents while using his fluid wrestling to minimize risk.
"Showtime" Pettis branded his name into the minds of MMA fans and non-fans everywhere with the famous kick off the cage to knock Henderson to the ground in their first meeting. Since overcoming an embarrassing showing against Clay Guida, Pettis has plowed through potential contenders leaving a trail of highlight reel finishes.
Many believe the outcome of their first encounter was determined by Pettis's spectacular kick off the cage. Since then, both men have bolstered their arsenal. Henderson has leveraged his take down prowess as a means of winning rounds while minimizing risk. Pettis has evolved into an early stoppage machine with precision strikes set up by savvy ring craft.
What should we expect? Kicks. Lots and lots of kicks. And for five rounds both fighters will dance around the cage positioning themselves for the cleanest strikes possible. With such a high pace for possibly 25 minutes, it will be interesting to see if endurance becomes the deciding factor- which favors the less-muscular Pettis.
So who wins? As dominant as Pettis has looked against very strong competition, all of Henderson's UFC victories have come against top level lightweights, most of whom have beaten Pettis's opponents. While Pettis may be the most dangerous striker Henderson has faced, he has become accustomed to facing the best of the best. For Pettis, Henderson is a big step up from Joe Lauzon and Donald Cerrone. It should be a unanimous decision victory for Henderson, but don't be surprised if Pettis pulls off something to add to his reel.
"Smooth" Henderson exemplifies his nickname mixing in constant jabs and low kicks into take downs. Henderson's athleticism and cardio overwhelm most opponents while using his fluid wrestling to minimize risk.
"Showtime" Pettis branded his name into the minds of MMA fans and non-fans everywhere with the famous kick off the cage to knock Henderson to the ground in their first meeting. Since overcoming an embarrassing showing against Clay Guida, Pettis has plowed through potential contenders leaving a trail of highlight reel finishes.
Many believe the outcome of their first encounter was determined by Pettis's spectacular kick off the cage. Since then, both men have bolstered their arsenal. Henderson has leveraged his take down prowess as a means of winning rounds while minimizing risk. Pettis has evolved into an early stoppage machine with precision strikes set up by savvy ring craft.
What should we expect? Kicks. Lots and lots of kicks. And for five rounds both fighters will dance around the cage positioning themselves for the cleanest strikes possible. With such a high pace for possibly 25 minutes, it will be interesting to see if endurance becomes the deciding factor- which favors the less-muscular Pettis.
So who wins? As dominant as Pettis has looked against very strong competition, all of Henderson's UFC victories have come against top level lightweights, most of whom have beaten Pettis's opponents. While Pettis may be the most dangerous striker Henderson has faced, he has become accustomed to facing the best of the best. For Pettis, Henderson is a big step up from Joe Lauzon and Donald Cerrone. It should be a unanimous decision victory for Henderson, but don't be surprised if Pettis pulls off something to add to his reel.
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