Edgar vs. Henderson Predictions: Smooth Will Overwhelm the Champ at UFC 144

UFC lightweight champion Frankie Edgar's fourth defense of his title will not go the way of the previous three when he steps into the Octagon to take on challenger Ben Henderson at UFC 144 from Japan.

Henderson (15-2) has won three consecutive fights, all of which were decided by unanimous decision. The one they call Smooth for his incredible ability to avoid opponents' submission attempts will be Edgar's (14-1-1) toughest test as champion.

Edgar won the UFC lightweight crown from B.J. Penn back in April 2010, and defeated Penn again shortly after before drawing with Gray Maynard once and then topping him convincingly last October at UFC 136 to retain the belt for a third straight time.

The 28-year-old Henderson will have a three-inch height advantage on Penn when the bell rings, but even more importantly a distinctive advantage in the area of submission. As already mentioned, Henderson is a load to bring down, and as slippery as a water moccasin when it comes to attempting a fight-ending submission.

Smooth is 8-1 for his career in fights decided by submission, compared to Edgar who is just 3-0 as a fighter less inclined to outwit his opponent into a compromising position.

Edgar, a 30-year-old UFC veteran, knows what to expect certainly, but that doesn't mean he will be able to handle Henderson's non-stop intensity for five rounds.

Henderson's style is unique and mimics nothing that Edgar has seen five times inside the Octagon with Penn and Maynard.

He can be fast and efficient or big and powerful whenever he likes, and that kind of versatility has never before been experienced by Edgar during his lightweight title defense.

The Japanese crowd at UFC 144 will be rabid and certainly pulling for the challenger, and that only adds to the overwhelming sense Edgar will feel in the cage on Sunday morning in Saitama, Japan.