Roundtables
ROUNDTABLE: Predictions for UFC Fight Night 49's Benson Henderson vs. Rafael dos Anjos main event
Aug 22, 2014 - 9:35:46 PM ROUNDTABLE: Predictions for UFC Fight Night 49's Benson Henderson vs. Rafael dos Anjos main event

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Who wins the Benson Henderson vs. Rafael dos Anjos fight at UFC Fight Night 49, and how? How close is the winner to a title fight?


DAN MOORE, MMATORCH UK COLUMNIST

Statistically this fight is really even and there's not a lot to separate them. Their striking and takedown stats from previous UFC fights are virtually identical, both in accuracy and defence. Their height, reach, and UFC record is again almost identical. The only thing that separates them is the quality of their recent opponents, with the advantage in this category going to Benson Henderson.

Henderson has fought a higher calibre of opponent in his last six-fights; that includes wins over Rustam Khabilov, Josh Thomson, and Gilbert Melendez. A sole defeat to Anthony Pettis is his only loss during that period. Rafael dos Anjos has also won five of his last six, including a decision win over Donald Cerrone. His only loss was to Khabib Nurmagomedov via decision. Only three of their last twelve fights combined haven't gone to a decision, so it's safe to assume this one goes 25 minutes.

I don't expect it to be a very entertaining fight, but I really hope I'm proven wrong. I have to favour Henderson for the win. He's more experienced and has proven cardio over five-rounds. He should edge this, but it's the type of fight that could easily go to a split decision. Assuming the winner of Cerrone vs. Alvarez jumps ahead of him, Henderson still needs at least another win. Even if dos Anjos wins, he still needs at least two more, especially considering he lost to Nurmagomedov just back in April.


FRANK HYDEN, MMATORCH CONTRIBUTOR

I think Henderson wins by decision. I don't have high expectations for this fight because I think Henderson will control things, and that's usually a recipe for dullness. I think Henderson will need two more wins after this one in order to get another title shot. That's a combination of a bunch of guys near the top of the division having better cases, but also the fact that he's lost to UFC Lightweight Champion Anthony Pettis twice already. Of course, if Pettis loses that changes things, but I think he'll still need two more wins after this fight to get a shot.


KALE HAVERVOLD, MMATORCH CONTRIBUTOR

This will be a great fight for the lightweight division, and I see Benson Henderson winning. He looked great in his last fight, and I see no reason why he also won't shine here again against Dos Anjos. I think the winner of this fight will likely need one more fight before getting the next title shot, but you never know with how competitive and wild the lightweight division is.


BRAD WALKER, MMATORCH COLUMNIST

Bendo should be able to win this fight handily; I haven't bought into the Dos Anjos hype, and just don't see an elite fighter when I look at his body of work. I'm going to pick Bendo to win in an extremely boring decision.


TOM STRONG, MMATORCH UK CONTRIBUTOR

With both men's habit of going the distance and winning via decision, this is surely set up to go the full five rounds. Benson got his first stoppage win in four years when he defeated Rustam Khabilov only two months ago at UFC FN 42, while Rafael dos Anjos got back to his winning ways last time out, defeating and stopping Jason High via TKO for his first finish in over two years.

I don't see anything here but a Benson win. Dos Anjos has come up short when he's faced top tier guys within the division,
and I expect this to be no different. Benson will try to keep the fight at range, using his devastating leg kicks and speed to take the victory via decision and put him within touching distance of earning another title fight.

Prediction: Benson Henderson UD


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