UFC
Ben Henderson vs. Frankie Edgar II on as planned for UFC 150 in Denver, Colo. this August
May 8, 2012 - 10:30:53 PM Ben Henderson vs. Frankie Edgar II on as planned for UFC 150 in Denver, Colo. this August

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By: Jamie Penick, MMATorch Editor-in-Chief

There's been a lot of conversation in the last few days over what to do about the UFC's Lightweight Championship following Nate Diaz's win over Jim Miller at UFC on Fox 3. With Frankie Edgar hinting that his fight with Ben Henderson may need to be delayed into September, many called for the UFC to put Diaz against Henderson in August.

However, UFC President Dana White announced on Tuesday night on UFC Tonight on Fuel TV that the Henderson-Edgar fight will indeed take place as originally reported at UFC 150 on August 11 in Denver, Colo.

The two fighters fought for 25 minutes at UFC 144 in Japan this February, with Henderson capturing the title by unanimous decision. As Edgar had granted immediate rematches to both B.J. Penn and Gray Maynard after the first title fights against each of them, the UFC opted to give him an immediate rematch. With the fight now taking place as planned, Nate Diaz will likely fight the winner by the end of the year.

Penick's Analysis: That throws a lot of other theories and suggestions out the window, but at least the fight is taking place as it was initially planned instead of being delayed. Had Edgar been unable to return that early, I think the UFC would have needed to put Diaz in that slot against Henderson to save the division from being held up any longer. As it stands, they promised the shot, he'll get his shot, and then they can move on.

[Ben Henderson art by Grant Gould (c) MMATorch.com]