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Who wins the UFC Lightweight Title bout between Ben Henderson and Gilbert Melendez, and how?
RICH HANSEN, MMATORCH COLUMNIST
I just don't see Melendez' path to victory here. Anthony Pettis is the only 155'er who has had any success against Henderson, and Melendez sure as heck doesn't mirror what Pettis does. Melendez is a smaller, slower version of Henderson, and I think Henderson is going to truck him for 25 minutes. Melendez is going to catch him a couple of times, sure, but Henderson can eat a hell of a lot more punishment than pretty much anyone else at 155.
BRAD WALKER, MMATORCH COLUMNIST
This is a great fight, both guys can win and both have something to prove against an equally accomplished fighter. In the end I am going to take Melendez by decision after a fight of the night effort from both.
C.J. TUTTLE, MMATORCH CONTRIBUTOR
Ben Henderson is a Mixed Martial Artist, Gilbert Melendez is a fighter. In a five round fight Henderson outclasses him and grinds out another five round decision, all too common of UFC champions nowadays.
ERIC HOBAUGH, MMATORCH CONTRIBUTOR
This is a great fight that may be too close to call. I think as dynamic and well rounded a fighter as Ben Henderson is, Melendez is a better fighter. I am picking Melendez by an early submission. Melendez can be stopped, but not by Henderson. Melendez is tough as nails and has been in many wars in his MMA career. He has been rocked many times and finds a way to win. He is great everywhere and I do not see him losing this fight.
FRANK HYDEN, MMATORCH CONTRIBUTOR
Now here's a fight I want to see. I think Henderson gets the clear decision win here. I don't think he can finish Melendez, but he'll win at least four rounds. It's been a while since Melendez fought anyone close to the caliber of Henderson so I think he'll be off his game all night.
[Ben Henderson art by Grant Gould (c) MMATorch.com]
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