UFC 144 Fight Card: How Much Will Size Factor into the Main Event?

Frankie Edgar is probably the smallest lightweight in the UFC, however he is the world champion. Frankie has been a fighter that has taken that factor to heart. The champ just doesn't care if you are bigger than him, he just wins.

Frankie's only loss was to Gray Maynard a few years ago, which he has more than avenged now. Although his opponent tomorrow night towers over him, "the Answer" is not blinking.

Edgar's opponent is the calm, confident former WEC lightweight champion Ben "Smooth" Henderson. After losing his belt to Anthony Pettis at the finale event of the WEC, Henderson has demolished all three opponents he has faced in the Octagon.

A lot of people seem to think that both of these men possess similar skills, and I can see why. The champion and the challenger both succeed with outstanding wrestling skills and fast, calculated striking, slipping in and out of range quickly.

What this fight really comes down to is size in the end. At the press conference, Henderson looked like he outweighs Edgar by 20 pounds. It is really quite striking when the difference is right in front of you.

The real debate is whether the size will be a factor or not in this bout.

Gray Maynard was a much larger fighter in the Octagon than Frankie, however, in the last two bouts Edgar was able to survive an early onslaught and watched Maynard slow down in the later rounds while he was only getting stronger.

I can see Henderson getting physical with Frankie a bit and getting early advantages. I can see Henderson tagging Edgar with some good standing strikes. But, we must remember that Edgar is durable and can also use superior boxing to get in and out of range.

Yes, size will be a factor in this fight. It will keep Ben Henderson in the bout, however, it will not win it for him. I still see Frankie Edgar leaving the arena with the belt.