In the main event at UFC 164, The UFC Lightweight Title is on the line as champion Ben Henderson (19-2 MMA; 7-0 UFC) faces Anthony Pettis (16-2 MMA; 3-1 UFC). The official UFC rankings have Pettis as the #2 contender at Lightweight, while champion Henderson is #6 on the pound-for-pound list. UFC 164: Henderson vs. Pettis airs live on PPV this Saturday, August 31 with the main card starting at 10 p.m. ET / 7 p.m. PT.
A rematch 3 years in the making - this is the fight fans have wanted to see. Henderson and Pettis first met in December 2010 in the last ever WEC fight. There, it was Pettis who unseated Henderson for the WEC title, forever immortalizing himself on highlight reels with his Shotime Kick in the process. They've both had a successful transition to the UFC, though Henderson has obviously had a smoother run. The question in this fight is if Pettis is simply Bendo's kryptonite, or if Henderson can avenge the loss, possibly setting up a trioogy.
How do these two stack up?
Henderson: 29 years old | 5'9" | 70" reach
Pettis: 26 years old | 5'10" | 72" reach
What have these two done recently?
Henderson: W - Gilbert Melendez (SD) | W - Nate Diaz (UD) | W - Frankie Edgar (SD)
Pettis: W - Donald Cerrone (KO) | W - Joe Lauzon (KO) | W - Jeremy Stephens (SD)
How did these two get here?
Since that WEC title loss, Ben Henderson has gone undefeated, winning UFC gold from Frankie Edgar and defending that belt three times so far. If he wins tonight, he will go in the record books as the only man to ever make 4 defenses of the UFC Lightweight belt. Bendo has looked increasingly unstoppable in his title defenses and is ready for revenge.
More Bloody Elbow coverage of UFC 164
Anthony Pettis stumbled a bit after his big win, losing in his UFC debut to Clay Guida. He's a perfect 3-0 since, and has looked better in every fight. Still, that loss to Guida came directly as a result of a wrestling deficiency in the game of the skilled Duke Roufus trained striker Pettis. If he hasn't closed that gap, he could have trouble with the champion tonight.
Why should you care?
Their last fight was probably the best fight in WEC history and created one of MMA's most iconic moments. So... you're not going to watch them fight again?
More from Bloody Elbow:
- UFC 164: Henderson vs. Pettis staff picks and predictions
- UFC 164: Henderson vs. Pettis - The Cut List
- UFC 164: Chad Mendes vs. Clay Guida Dissection
- UFC 164: Brandon Vera vs. Ben Rothwell Dissection
- UFC officials still pushing the idea MMA as an Olympic sport
Latest From Our Partners
- Greatest Falls From Grace in MMA (BR)
- Most Exciting Fighters in the UFC (BR)
- Most Likely UFC Underdogs to Win (BR)
- 20 Best European Fighters in MMA (BR)
- Flashiest Fighters in MMA History (BR)
- Top Prospects to Watch in Second Half of 2013 (BR)
- Eight Fighters UFC Can't Live Without (BR)