UFC on Fox 7: What We Learned from Benson Henderson vs. Gilbert Melendez

All apologies to those who may disagree, but that was one heck of a lightweight title tilt between Benson Henderson and Gilbert Melendez.

It was technical and fast-paced, and like every other Benson Henderson fight since he joined the UFC, the result was controversial.

I personally had Melendez winning the fight 48-47, but plenty of people out there scored it the other way. Some of you scored it 4-1 for Melendez, while some of you scored it 4-1 for Henderson. That's just the way the cookie crumbles when it comes to Henderson, apparently; he's able to win fights, but always does so in controversial fashion. 

From this fight we learned that Henderson always has to win in controversial fashion. Mostly, anyway. But what else did we learn from a great television main event?

My thoughts:

• Gilbert Melendez belongs in the UFC, and he belongs in the cage with the best. He put on a solid performance against Henderson, proving that those of us who ranked him No. 2 in the world over the last few years knew what we were talking about. I'd expect apologies from some of you, but I know they won't be coming my way.
• I'm sure we'll hear talk of a rematch, especially given the lack of clear-cut contenders currently in the lightweight division. I'm fine with that idea if they go that way, but I'm also okay with the idea of no rematch taking place. Frankly, I'm tired of rematches in the lightweight division, but if no contender makes a clear statement that they deserve a title shot, well, let's go ahead and run this one back one more time. 
• Benson Henderson needs a haircut in the worst way. Henderson seemingly spent more time adjusting his wayward hair than he did throwing punches. If it's infuriating to watch as a viewer at home, I can't imagine it's all that pleasant for Henderson. Haircut or braids for this guy, please.

• That's seven straight decisions for Henderson. He's had a decision win in every single one of his Octagon appearances.
• We also learned that it's probably best to read the room when you're getting ready to propose to your girlfriend. When your lasting memory of the night you got engaged was dropping to one knee in front of 15,000 booing fans, well, that's not really a good thing.

All in all, UFC on Fox 7 was one of the best UFC cards I can remember in a long time, and it'll be up there as a contender for event of the year come the end of 2013.