7. Frankie Edgar vs. Benson Henderson
UFC 144
Feb. 26, 2012 | Saitama, Japan
Henderson completed his climb to the lightweight summit halfway across the world. In a riveting five-round battle that showcased the best and most endearing qualities of both men, Henderson dethroned Edgar and captured the lightweight championship in the UFC 144 headliner at the Saitama Super Arena. All three cageside judges saw it in favor of Henderson: 49-46, 48-47 and 49-46. Based out of the MMA Lab in Glendale, Arizona, Henderson leaned heavily on powerful kicks to the legs and body of the champion. To his credit, Edgar pinned many of them between his arm and body, but they served their purpose nonetheless. Late in the second round, Henderson permanently altered the complexion of the 25-minute fight, as he delivered a searing upkick to Edgar’s exposed face. The New Jersey native crumpled where he stood and Henderson leaped into action, seeking his trademark guillotine choke. Edgar avoided further danger, but the damage was done and it was considerable. The third, fourth and fifth rounds unfolded into a beautiful tapestry of skill and will between two of the 155-pound division’s premier fighters. His left eye nearly swollen shut and his nose badly damaged by the upkick, Edgar never went away. However, Henderson landed more strikes of consequence -- according to FightMetric figures, he outlanded Edgar 87-68 in terms of total significant strikes and 100-81 in terms of total overall strikes -- and unleashed his guillotine once more in Round 4. Again, Edgar freed himself. Neither champion nor challenger held back in the fifth, as the indomitable Edgar cracked Henderson repeatedly with short, straight punches. Henderson provided his retort late in the frame with a jumping knee and followed Edgar to the ground in the closing seconds, working for a guillotine one last time.
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