UFC 144: Frankie Edgar Will Defend Title with Unanimous Decision

If Benson Henderson is going to take the lightweight title away from champion Frankie Edgar at UFC 144, he will have to play to his strengths and force a submission.

It's just too bad, then, that Edgar's strengths counter Henderson's perfectly. 

Of Henderson's 15 wins, eight have come by submission. He likes to take fights to the ground. He likes to out-work opposing fighters.

He likes to use his athleticism and length in an aggressive style. And Bendo can do all those things because his cardio is fantastic.

But if any fighter has better stamina, it's Edgar.

As fellow fighter Joe Duarte puts it, Edgar simply doesn't get tired (along with a solid point about hair).

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"After watching Edgar take out [Gray] Maynard twice, I have come to the realization that he does not get tired. I got Edgar taking this five-round affair, even though Henderson has a head of hair that would make Troy Polamalu jealous."

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Both good points.

When it comes down to it, these are two similar fighters and they match up perfectly for what is starting to look like an epic fight. But Edgar's striking ability puts him on top. He'll be able to avoid Henderson's submission attacks and control the fight throughout.

With that being said, it won't be easy for the current champion.

I don't think he will be able to grab a knockout or submission against Henderson because Bendo has shown an uncanny ability to get out of impossible situations in the past.

There is simply no betting against him in that aspect. It's like he looks forward to getting choked out or getting his arm bent backwards. Or he likes being on the verge of submitting, because he always gets out of it.

For the record, I'm rooting for Henderson in this one. He has awesome hair, his first and last name rhyme with each other and he often looks like Stretch Armstrong in the Octagon. 

Bendo is just fun to watch and easy to root for. Unfortunately, I see the rising star coming up just short in Japan.

Frankie Edgar is just too good in all the right ways.