Main Event: 155 lbs.: Ben Henderson vs. Josh Thomson FOX Main Card (8 p.m. ET): 265 lbs.: Gabriel Gonzaga vs. Stipe Miocic 155 lbs.: Donald Cerrone vs. Adriano Martins 145 lbs.: Darren Elkins vs. Jeremy Stephens FOX Sports 1 Prelims (5 p.m. ET): 135 lbs.: Alex Caceres vs. Sergio Pettis 135 lbs.: Yves Jabouin vs. Eddie Wineland 135 lbs.: Chico Camus vs. Yaotzin Meza 135 lbs.: Junior Hernandez vs. Hugo Viana 155 lbs.: Daron Cruickshank vs. Mike Rio 185 lbs.: Mike Rhodes vs. George Sullivan Fight Pass Prelims (4:30 p.m. ET): 265 lbs.: Walter Harris vs. Nikita Krylov TFK
I really think the UFC is missing the boat by not stacking their January UFC Fox cards with bigger names. With all of the promotion they get with the NFL playoffs, if they REALLY want to take the next step, you need a more marquee main event than Bendo\Thomson. I'm sure they think putting a PPV quality event on free TV is leaving money on the table, but in the long run, it's the right move to make. As for the main event, I don't really think much of either fighter. I never looked at Henderson as a champion, he was just a belt holder, but Thomson isn't all that great either. If Thomson is gonna win, he has to finish Bendo, because, as is the norm with Henderson fights, the fight is still days away, but the judges have likely already filled out their score cards. I'll pick Thomson to win by 2nd round GNP. No real reason why. TFK
It really is a terrible card on paper. To put it on Fox is stupid. This barely has the quality of one of those Wednesday night Fight Night cards the UFC sneaks in.
Bet on it. Thompson is ridiculously underrated. The dude had 3 fights with Melendez, possibly the best LW in the world, and I thought Josh won 2 out of 3. Then the dude comes back to the UFC and walks right thru Nate Diaz like no one has at 155. I'm betting Thompson at +225 all day long.
You know what, I feel exactly the same way. I've always rated Josh, he's always been solid and legit. I agree he won 2 of 3 against Melendez, and it was very impressive the way he just steamrolled Diaz. So yeah, he has always been underrated, and I guess he still is. Wonder why? He is not boring, and he's even 'Murican, not bad looking, and likeable enough. You'd have thought he'd have a bit more hype behind him.
why bet on thomson when the likelihood is that it will be a competitive fight and henderson usually gets the better end of close decisions? i'd be very surprised if thomson stops him. i'll go with henderson via decision.
Is there someone clearly better than Melendez at 155? By the way, if you say Eddie Alvarez, I'll take that as a "no".
Alvarez yes. Pettis. Chandler. At the time Thomson was fighting Melendez, you can add Edgar and Maynard to that list. TFK
None are clearly better than Melendez. Saying Melendez was possibly the best lightweight at the time is no more absurd than saying Alvarez was ever the top guy at the weight.
Saying Alvarez, Chandler or Edgar are clearly better than Melendez is ridiculous. Edgar has rarely ever been clearly better than his opponent over recent years. Meanwhile, putting Alvarez and Chandler in the conversation is wishful thinking. But there's no way either has done anything to be considered clearly better than Melendez. Pettis? Maybe.
He got trashed. Cowboy is probably the best LW at fighting on Earth however his mental toughness prevents him from displaying it. Pettis had his number though.
If I never see Henderson fight again, I wouldn't miss him in the least. He doesn't deserve to move up in title contention after this fight, and had Thomson not broke his hand, Henderson wasn't gonna win this fight. TFK
Thomson is made of glass and showed why he didnt deserve the Pettis fight. That said yeah Benson's lack of urgency is embarrassing, he seems to enjoy making fights close.
Maybe Benson does something in the cage that tv viewers can't see and judges can. It's amazing how hes now 4-0 in close fights where many thought he lost.
