...OH, ONE MORE THING - PLEASE BOOKMARK US & VISIT DAILY!
After a shockingly impressive win over Gray Maynard, do you like T.J. Grant's chances against Ben Henderson? Right now who do you think wins that fight?
RICH HANSEN, MMATORCH COLUMNIST
Right now I think it's a 50/50 fight, and my money would go on the underdog, whomever that would be. Grant's a finisher, Henderson's a tactician. I always lean towards the finisher, because they don't need to do what they do for most of 25 minutes. Grant needs less to go right than Henderson needs to have go right in order to win.
BRAD WALKER, MMATORCH COLUMNIST
Right now I'm going to pick Bendo. He's been in the main event scene for a while now and he's looked better every fight. If Grant uses his striking he could provide an epic upset, I see his chances sitting around 30% right now.
ERIC HOBAUGH, MMATORCH CONTRIBUTOR
T.J. Grant beat Maynard impressively, that is a fact. It is also a fact Maynard has never been the same since his first loss to Frankie Edgar. It is sad, but Maynard is probably done fighting and definitely over the hill. In my opinion, Grant has a very slim chance of realistically beating Henderson. I think Henderson will win via submission in the later rounds.
CAMERON LYMAN, MMATORCH CONTRIBUTOR
T.J. Grant executed a fearless gameplan against the heavy handed Maynard. If he takes the same approach with Henderson, it could pay off or backfire entirely. While I think Henderson is a more well rounded fighter, Grant provides a challenge whether this hits the mat or stays standing. We need more Canadian champs, so I'm going to go with Grant to be the first man to finish Henderson.
FRANK HYDEN, MMATORCH CONTRIBUTOR
Right now I give Grant a 49% chance for victory. I haven't been that impressed by Henderson's title defenses. This percentage chance may change over time as we get closer to the fight, but right now I think it's very close. I think Henderson is ripe to be beaten. I might be caught up in the moment right now, though. Grant made Maynard look really bad in their fight. I think Grant has the power to hurt Henderson.
TONY BECERRA, MMATORCH CONTRIBUTOR
T.J. is on an impressive five fight win streak and, to the surprise of many, knocked out former lightweight challenger Gray Maynard last Saturday night. T.J. showcased his knockout power once again in the Maynard bout, and he's also got a brown belt in Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu T.J., with 13 of his victories coming via submission. Entering the Henderson fight T.J. has many tools that can cause problems for the Champ. Now, like I've said many times, once the cage doors close it's anyone's fight, and although I believe T.J. has as good a chance as any to dethrone the current Champ, right now I would go with Ben Henderson.
C.J. TUTTLE, MMATORCH COLUMNIST
I love his chances. I think the fact that he will enter the Octagon with the intention of finishing Benson plays right in to his chances. Most go in and try to endure what Benson has to offer and never end up getting the benefit of the doubt when it comes time to look at the scorecards. The legs of Benson could be the difference maker, but I could definitely see a title change.
ANWAR PEREZ, MMATORCH COLUMNIST
Right now, T.J. Grant plays the aggressor as Henderson tries to play calm and back off, but gets caught by Grant as he becomes the new, and unlikely, Lightweight Champion. Grant has come out of nowhere, but Henderson I believe won't be ready for him, and Grant will take it to the champion and take the belt away.
[Ben Henderson art by Grant Gould (c) MMATorch.com]
(Attention MMATorch app users: Make sure to upgrade to the latest edition of the MMATorch app on your iPhone, iPad, or Android device!)
Jamie Penick, editor-in-chief
(mmatorcheditor@gmail.com)
STAFF COLUMNISTS: Shawn Ennis - Jason Amadi
Frank Hyden - Rich Hansen
Chris Park - Matt Pelkey
Interested in joining MMATorch's writing team? Send idea for a theme to your column (for Specialist section) or area of interest (i.e. TV Reporter) along with a sample of writing to mmatorch@gmail.com.
