UFC 150: August 11, 2012 Pepsi Center in Denver, Colorado UFC Lightweight Champion Benson Henderson (-165) Profile: The former WEC lightweight champion and the man to dethrone Frankie Edgar from his 155-pound UFC title, Benson “Smooth” Henderson (16-2) has done nothing but impress in his six-year MMA career. He has a complete fighting game, from a devastating wrestling base to a submission game to make anyone think twice (eight submission wins and a standing guillotine to fear) along with solid stand up and ring intelligence that is off the charts. The 28-year-old Henderson is the future of the sport. The only real blemish on his record came when he lost his WEC lightweight title to Anthony Pettis at WEC 53, but not many people could have won that battle. Henderson’s exciting style and well-rounded skills have transformed him into the reigning champ and should make the lightweight division very interesting to watch for years to come. UFC #1 Lightweight Contender Frankie Edgar (+135) Profile: The closest fighter the UFC has to Rocky Balboa, Frankie “The Answer” Edgar (14-2-1) has surprised everyone with his never-say-die attitude and come-from-behind guttiness that has led him to victories over B.J. Penn (twice) and his arch-nemesis Gray Maynard. Winner of five Fight of the Night awards, the undersized Edgar comes out of Renzo Gracie’s East Coast fight team with a chip on his shoulder and a Jersey attitude that have turned him into one of the most impressive UFC champions since Jens Pulver. Opponents can never count Edgar out, and the 30-year-old former champ has fought for the lightweight title five times already with a sixth coming at UFC 150 against Benson Henderson in a rematch of their championship bout at UFC 144. Opening UFC 150 Odds Analysis: MMA oddsmaker Nick Kalikas has made Henderson a small -165 favorite (bet $165 to win $100) against Edgar, who opened as a +135 underdog (bet $100 to win $135) according to the MMA odds. Edgar will be fighting in his sixth straight title bout, with the previous five coming against just three different opponents. This will be his third consecutive rematch with a previous opponent, going 2-0 against Penn and Maynard with the belt on the line. This matchup with Henderson could present more problems though since he has a bigger skill set to go along with a three-inch height advantage and two-inch reach edge. Henderson owns impressive wins over Donald Cerrone (twice), Jamie Varner and Clay Guida, and he knows what it takes to remain a champion from his days in the WEC. While Edgar will always have a chance due to his strong heart and determination, MMA bettors can expect a similar fight to the last time he faced Henderson in the Octagon.
