UFC 146 Looks Big…Literally

UFC 146 is scheduled for May 26 at the MGM in Las Vegas, and it’s shaping into a big card figuratively and literally. To date, there are 4 announced Heavyweight fights. The most notable is of course the Heavyweight Championship fight between Junior Dos Santos and Alistair Overeem. There will also be match-ups between Cain Velasquez and Frank Mir to determine the next title challenger, Antonio Silva versus Roy Nelson, and Gabriel Gonzaga faces Shane del Rosario.

Heavyweight fights rarely go the full distance, so I’m expecting this to be an explosive card. Also featured this night is the fight between notorious Welterweight strikers Dan Hardy and Duane Ludwig. I can’t wait.

Edgar Wins His Bid For Rematch

Frankie Edgar announced last night on Twitter that the rematch with Benson Henderson is on. This is great news for UFC fans as many felt the decision could have gone either way in their last fight. Hopefully one of these amazing fighters will set themselves apart as the clear champion. I’m not sure what swayed Dana White to give Frankie the rematch. The fan outpouring that he deserved it surely came into play since after the fight Dana said that Anthony Pettis was probably next, then he followed up by saying the winner of Jim Miller and Nate Diaz would be next.
I have my own conspiracy theory. I think Dana desperately wants Edgar to fight at 145 pounds as there is not a clear top contender left to face Jose Aldo. Dana was open about his desire to get Frankie to fight Aldo, and Edgar was equally open about his desire for a rematch. As a last ditch effort, I think Dana told Frankie he would give him a rematch, but if he loses he must drop to 145. I have zero evidence or information to back this up. It’s just pure speculation on what would make sense for Dana to change his mind.
The rematch is being planned for this summer. Assuming that a new contender steps in 4-6 months later, that puts us at the end of 2012-beginning of 2013 before a new challenger is needed. I foresee that Pettis will face the winner of Miller/Diaz to decide who gets that next shot. This is unfortunate for Pettis because he was next in line for a title shot when Edgar and Gray Maynard fought to a draw and required a rematch. Pettis subsequently fought Clay Guida and lost the fight along with his top contender position.
The worst case scenario for Edgar/Henderson II is another close decision with Frankie as the victor. This would almost certainly dictate a rubber match and again put the Lightweight division on hold for another 4-6 months for the rematch and an additional 4-6 months before a new contender can step up. Nonetheless, I’m glad that Dana gave Edgar his rematch. After everything he has done for the UFC in line of rematches, he definitely deserved it.