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    Cagewriter

    You tell us: Who should Benson Henderson fight next?

    By Maggie Hendricks | Cagewriter – Mon, Feb 27, 2012 2:05 PM EST

    Lots of people want that belt (Tracy Lee)

    Not long after Benson Henderson had the UFC lightweight belt fastened around his waist, questions arose about who he would fight next. UFC commentator Joe Rogan said at the end of the UFC 144 broadcast it would be Anthony Pettis. Frankie Edgar, who just lost his belt in a close fight, said he should get it. Nate Diaz and Jim Miller are fighting in May and the winner of that bout also has legitimate claim to a title shot. Who would you give it to?

    Anthony Pettis: He is one of just two men to have beaten Henderson. Their WEC 53 bout, the last bout the WEC ever produced, was close until Pettis pulled out the "Showtime kick." There's no doubt they would produce another exciting bout.

    On the other hand, does a split decision over Jeremy Stephens and a knockout of Joe Lauzon qualify you for a title shot? That's all Pettis has done since losing to Clay Guida, who lost to Henderson.

    Frankie Edgar: Not only was his loss to Henderson a close decision even refuted by UFC president Dana White, but Edgar had to give immediate rematches twice while champ. Why shouldn't Henderson do the same?

    On the other hand, it would tie up the belt with the same two fighters vying for it. Again. Ben Fowlkes from MMA Fighting pointed out that while not granting an immediate rematch to Edgar would be unfair to him, it would be extra fair to everyone else. Do you want to see Edgar in another rematch, or do you want to see someone else get a shot?

    Winner of Nate Diaz vs. Jim Miller: On May 5, the two will square off on the UFC's next Fox card. With both fighters floating near the top of the lightweight division, this bout has title eliminator written all over it.

    On the other hand, Miller lost to Henderson in August. For Diaz, a win would give him his third straight, but his resume isn't more impressive than the other top lightweights.

    Time for you to play matchmaker. Who would you give the next lightweight title shot to? Tell us in the comments, on Twitter or on Facebook.

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    Watch Full Count!
     
    • Dack
      Dack  •  Telford, Pennsylvania  •  2 months ago
      Henderson vs Pettis, Edgar vs Aldo.
      • Ben
        Ben 2 months ago
        +1 to above
      • eeb
        eeb 2 months ago
        seems like it would produce the best two possible fights this way
      • Doghouse Riley
        Doghouse Riley 2 months ago
        That is the best choice!
    • The Unsilent Majority
      The Unsilent Majority  •  2 months ago
      Ok, for all those saying Edgar deserves an immediate rematch, what do you do with the title picture if he wins? Give Bendo an immediate rematch? And what if Edgar loses again, where does he go from there? One more fight and then title shot again? Rematches should only be given after a draw, a split decision, or a razor-close decision (48-47 on at least 2 cards); the Edgar loss to Henderson was not close according to the judges. Move on.
      • Ashy Larry
        Ashy Larry 2 months ago
        The Unsilent Majority, your name mis-represents you. You certainly do not speak for the majority... Edger deserves a rematch, as the fight was much closer than the judges had it. Dana even had Edger winning the fight as did I. The judges got caught up in one sweetly timed up kick and the damage it caused. Now go away.
      • Kas
        Kas 2 months ago
        I agree with Ashy Larry(awesome name), I also had Edgar winning that fight. I think the judges got too caught up in that one up-kick.
      • Taylor
        Taylor 2 months ago
        I agree with you Unsilent, so sick of immediate rematches unless a draw or a fight that should have gone to the other fighter (machida/shogun). It sucks that Dana started this fad that everyone seems to want an immediate rematch when their favorite fighter goes down, at least have them fight one other top contender before issuing a rematch
    • Frank
      Frank  •  2 months ago
      Tough to say that Nate Diaz deserves anything at this point - he's 5-5 in his last 10. He beat an overrated Cerrone, not enough to get a title shot. The only 3 fighters that deserve a title shot are Frankie, Pettis, and Miller (if he wins). The fighters that stand a chance of beating Henderson are Pettis and Barboza. If they were forced to weigh in on the day of the fight (like they should) than Frankie would be in that group. To be fair, Frankie deserves the rematch for the reasons stated in the article, but the next title fight will be Pettis vs. Henderson 2.
      • Ashy Larry
        Ashy Larry 2 months ago
        Frank, please tell me how Pettis deserves a shot?
      • Frank
        Frank 2 months ago
        Easy, he's already beat Henderson (fairly recently). Don't tell me that you think he doesn't deserve a shot b/c he lost to Clay. Clay can win a decision over anybody, because he'll smoother them with wrestling.
      • Ashy Larry
        Ashy Larry 2 months ago
        Frank... I could care less about his lost. I care about his streak and his wins. He beat Stephens and Lauzon... Neither top 10. Needs to beat a top tier fighter and then he deserves a shot. When I say top tier, I am talking about 3 guys. Miller, Maynard or Edger.
    • joe sixpack
      joe sixpack  •  Sendai-shi, Japan  •  2 months ago
      This whole mess should just be decided with a tournament. Or at least implement a ranking system.
    • Like Totally
      Like Totally  •  Lahaina, Hawaii  •  2 months ago
      How about Dogsht Riley and Nutcracker... at the same time? I'd pay dearly to watch those blabbermouths get bi1chslapped on national TV.
      • Doghouse Riley
        Doghouse Riley 2 months ago
        Yea, your obsession with me is too close for comfort. You are a freak who posts pics of child abuse and then turns into a frog-man / molester thing. Why don't you focus your comments on the fights, it would increase your credibility.
      • Doghouse Riley
        Doghouse Riley 2 months ago
        You have a weak mind. I could imagine you being a cult-type follower. Does "Heaven's Gate" ring any bells? Or Jim Jones? Or the "Feemen"...or the wackos in Waco .....(the list is too long)....grow a mind, think, use "judgment"--independent judgment (or you will end up like Eichmann)
      • Like Totally
        Like Totally 2 months ago
        Get used to it. You drew first blood. Regarding the 'obsession' thing, on behalf of Maggie and Steve, how does it feel? One word son... KARMA.
    • Frank
      Frank  •  2 months ago
      I think the winner of a Keith Hackney/Paul Varlans fight should take on the winner of a Guy Mesger/Pedro Rizzo fight - then the winner of that takes on Henderson. I have Rizzo winner the who thing.
      • GLW
        GLW 2 months ago
        1996 called. It wants its unfunny jokes back.
      • Frank
        Frank 2 months ago
        Wow. Using ...called...looks who's talking - tool.
    • Daniel
      Daniel  •  San Francisco, California  •  2 months ago
      Gilbert Melendez should get the title shot
    • The Truth
      The Truth  •  2 months ago
      PETTIS OR BARBOZA

      Barboza is a beast. I think Pettis will get the shot, but if Barboza is not far behind from a title shot. Either one of these guys will be an awesome fight. Edgar is not getting the rematch he has to much of recovering to do with that eye. We will see what his medical suspension are.
    • Chris
      Chris  •  Scranton, Pennsylvania  •  2 months ago
      Yeah true Guida beat Pettis, but just over a year ago Pettis did be the current champ (Dec 2010). I like Aldo vs Edgar. Is Aldo big enough to go up to LW? Idk. He is only 5'7.
    • Trouble$ome
      Trouble$ome  •  Roseville, Michigan  •  2 months ago
      pettis
    • whattaripoff
      whattaripoff  •  2 months ago
      Pettis already beat Henderson, what part of that don't you people understand? If any rematch deserves to be made it's Henderson v. Pettis so Henderson gets a chance to avenge his loss. Pettis is obviously good enough to fight him and he had been promised a shot a year ago. He's also the last WEC champ, so he does have the credentials.
    • Long Duck Dong
      Long Duck Dong  •  2 months ago
      REMATCH? for what? Edgar lost that fight for sure. it wasnt that close. did you see his face?

      Anyway, Pettis is gonna get btch slapped this time by Henderson. Wont even be fair.
    • Brannon McDowell
      Brannon McDowell  •  Mars Hill, North Carolina  •  2 months ago
      Diaz if he beats Miller. If Miller wins then he should fight Petis for a contender spot and Edgar should get the rematch against Henderson.
    • Suds M
      Suds M  •  Victoria, Canada  •  2 months ago
      Maybe Brock Lesanr could come out of retirement. Maybe with a 100+ pound weight admantage he could win a fight..... then again....maybe not....
    • jose
      jose  •  Houston, Texas  •  2 months ago
      tournament between, diaz, henderson, edgar, pettis, guida and cowboy cerrone
    • warner
      warner  •  Manila, Philippines  •  2 months ago
      It should either be Pettis or Diaz. Barboza has talent but he still has prove against the elite of the lightweight division.
    • asaki
      asaki  •  2 months ago
      pettis vs barbosa! may the best kicker win!
    • chris l
      chris l  •  Tokyo, Japan  •  2 months ago
      Id like to see pettis fight clay again before he gets a title shot. Maynard needs two solid wins to get a shot but I can't see how he could get one before edgar if edgar keeps winning. Maybe diaz as a warm up, he has beaten a few solid guys and everyone does want to see a diaz get busted up and sulk
    • Andrew A
      Andrew A  •  Newark, Delaware  •  2 months ago
      Nick Diaz. He's slick on his feet, slick on the ground, tough as nails, has an iron jaw and doesn't get tired. He has gotten out muscled is a few fights, true and that could happen against Henderson, but I think his unique skill set poses a problem for anyone at 155.
    • A Yahoo User
      A Yahoo User  •  Wilmington, California  •  2 months ago
      I would like to see a fight between Anthony Pettis and Nate Diaz, and the winner getting a shot at the title. He's already beaten Edgar, Guida, and Miller...let the up-and-comers have a chance...Pettis and Diaz are both deserving. Maybe have Edgar, Guida, Miller, and Barboza fight it out to see who gets the next shot.
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