Benson Henderson vs. Frankie Edgar: 3 Reasons for a Trilogy

For the second time this year, Benson Henderson and Frankie Edgar fought in one of the closest title fights in UFC history.

The UFC 150 main event will likely go down in history with Lyoto Machida vs. Shogun Rua 1 and Carlos Condit vs. Nick Diaz as the most controversial title-fight decisions in the last five years, and we need to see these two go at it one more time.

I get that the lightweight division has been clogged full of guys looking to get a title shot for nearly two full years now, but we can’t blame Edgar, Henderson or Gray Maynard for putting on such closely contested and incredible fights.

It seems like the vast majority of MMA fans, fighters and journalists alike all thought that Edgar had done enough to earn the nod last night, and “The Answer” deserves another shot to show the world that he is truly the lightweight champion.

Here are three reasons why the UFC should book yet another immediate rematch.

Edgar Arguably Won Both Fights

I understand that the UFC needs to at least attempt to abide by the judges’ decision, but when a fight is disputed by nearly the entire MMA community, then you have to make a move.

Henderson seemed to get the nod in the eyes of most fans after the first fight, but Edgar had his fair share of supporters as well, and the rematch became possible because of it.

Now the fans are firmly in Frankie’s corner regarding this decision, and it would be unjust if the UFC didn’t at least entertain the thought of a rematch.

Nate Diaz Has Unfinished Business with Gray Maynard

If there is one guy in the lightweight division that Nate Diaz may pass up a title shot to fight, it’s Gray Maynard.

The rivalry between these two started back on The Ultimate Fighter 5, where Diaz submitted “The Bully” to eliminate Maynard from the competition in the semifinal round.

Maynard got his revenge a few years later by beating Diaz by decision at UFC Fight Night 20, but the result was definitely controversial, and Diaz believes he earned the win.

You don’t want to make Diaz sit on the sidelines for another six months, so why not throw him in a grudge match against Maynard?

Maynard is relatively well known for a lightweight following his fights with Edgar, and Diaz is one of the most popular guys in the division, so the winner would immediately have a new marquee name to put on their resume.

These Two Put on an Entertaining Fight

As simple as it seems, people seemed to genuinely enjoy both fights between these two, so the UFC might as well try to strike gold three times in a row.

The initial negative backlash is going to be expected if the fight is made, but once people calm down a bit they’ll realize that a good fight is a good fight and they’ll sit down to watch it.

Am I saying these two need to fight in a best-of-five series? No.

But Frankie Edgar did enough to become lightweight champion last night and at the very least he should get another chance to prove it.