Written by Scott Swerbinsky

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Another fight card from the Ultimate Fighting Championship has come and gone and another event that I feel was a real let down. UFC 150 had the makings of a great card and it was just okay. Hopefully  this isn’t the way I feel every time after I watch a pay per view.  When the three main fights don’t deliver like you would think, you might walk away with a bitter taste in your mouth.

The main event was a rematch for the lightweight title between current champ Benson Henderson and former belt holder, Frankie Edgar. Back in February, these two guys fought a very aggressive, in your face, back and forth, really close bout. Last night was a counter punching kick fest that didn’t have a ton of action. Ben Henderson kept his title with another close split decision. I had Henderson winning three out of the five rounds.

Ben Henderson didn’t seem like himself last night. He landed some very nice leg kicks early in the first two rounds but never seemed to get comfortable. While he was never hurt or dazed, there was a part of me that was thinking he was going to lose because of lack of execution. Henderson landed more punches and kicks and did more damages so it was very hard to make a case for Edgar winning.

Frankie Edgar looked a weight class smaller than Henderson while in the octagon. He was throwing kicks that landed but had zero effect on Henderson. Many people have talked about him moving down to 145 and I know think that is something he should seriously consider. 155 is a stacked division and all guys will be much bigger on fight night than Frankie.

While Edgar decides what is in his immediate future, up next for Ben Henderson will be Nate Diaz. That has the makings of a phenomenal fight, I hope me saying that doesn’t jinx it.

The co-main event lasted just seventy six seconds yet somehow got the bonus for “Fight of the Night.” To me, that sums up the fight card. Donald Cerrone survived a huge shot from Melvin Guillard that had him rocked as soon as the fight started. Cerrone went on to brutally knockout his friend and former training partner.

I thought Cerrone and Guillard were going to put on a great fight but it was sloppy. Guillard had Cerrone all but out and then for some reason decided to stop throwing punches and found himself face first on the canvas just thirty seconds later. Fight of the night? No way. Letdown of the card, yes sir.

Jake Shields versus Ed Herman had me excited. After fifteen minutes of almost no action, I was pissed off. Ed Herman possibly had the worst game plan of all time. Shields cannot strike all that well and is a wizard on the ground. With that, Herman needs to stay on his feet to win. He did the opposite and was on his back probably twelve of the fifteen minutes.

Jake Shields won an easy decision in a fight that was hard to watch. Boring. No action. A real snoozer as they say.

Full results:

Benson Henderson def. Frankie Edgar via split decision (46-49, 48-47-48-47)

 

Donald Cerrone def. Melvin Guillard via knockout (punch) - Round 1, 1:16

Jake Shields def. Ed Herman via unanimous decision (29-28, 30-27, 30-27)

Yushin Okami def. Buddy Roberts via TKO (strikes) - Round 2, 3:05

Max Holloway def. Justin Lawrence via TKO (strikes) - Round 2, 4:49

Dennis Bermudez def. Tommy Hayden via submission (standing guillotine choke) - Round 1, 4:43

Michael Kuiper def. Jared Hamman via TKO (punch) - Round 2, 2:16

Erik Perez def. Ken Stone via TKO (strikes) - Round 1, 0:17

Chico Camus def. Dustin Pague via unanimous decision (29-28, 30-27, 29-28)

Nik Lentz def. Eiji Mitsuoka via TKO (strikes) - Round 1, 3:45

I consider myself a true diehard fan of mixed martial arts and the UFC. When I say a card was bad or a letdown, it pains me to do so. Maybe I’m setting my expectations too damn high. That might be a part of it but it’s not just me saying it or thinking it. Strikeforce has a card next Saturday and I’ll be tuning in to get my fix. Please don’t make me go away mad again.