Ultimate Fighting Championship (UFC) lightweights Benson Henderson and Donald Cerrone are set to showdown this Sunday (Jan. 18, 2015) at UFC Fight Night 59 on FOX Sports 1 inside the TD Garden in Boston, Massachusetts.
Henderson's last couple of years have been tough. In his last five fights, "Smooth" has lost his title, been finished twice, and went to a split decision two times, as well. Undaunted, the former champion will look to continue his return to the top at the expense of an old foe, "Cowboy."
Cerrone is a crazy dude. After having a perfect 2014, he opened the new year with a dominant decision victory over Myles Jury. Now, just two weeks later, Cerrone will take us back to the World Extreme Cagefighting (WEC) days, as he battles his old nemesis once again.
Expect fireworks.
Benson Henderson
Record: 21-4
Key Wins: Frankie Edgar (UFC 144, UFC 150), Gilbert Melendez (UFC on FOX 7), Josh Thomson (UFC on FOX 10)
Key Losses: Anthony Pettis (UFC 164, WEC 53), Rafael dos Anjos (UFC Fight Night 49)
Keys to Victory: Though Cerrone often gets credit for fighting all the damn time, it's worth mentioning that Henderson is pretty active himself. The well-conditioned former champion is talented in each area of combat, as his nine submission victories and brutal kicking game illustrates.
Henderson may not have lost to Cerrone in their last two bouts -- the most recent of which took place in 2010 -- but that doesn't mean this is an easy fight for him. In fact, their first fight was an incredible back-and-forth battle, one of the best fights of the year.
In order to take this bout, Henderson needs to pressure Cerrone immediately. It's well known that Cerrone is not a quick starter, and this bout is only three rounds, unlike their last two matches.
If Henderson gets his foe moving backwards, his ability to land low kicks and takedowns -- his two most important tools -- will open up. Both men are excellent kickers, so whoever is on his back foot is likely to absorb some painful strikes.
Keeping forward pressure is imperative for both men in this bout for that very reason.
In addition, Henderson may be able to land some takedowns if Cerrone backs himself into the fence. Cerrone's takedown defense has greatly improved over the years, but he's still vulnerable if Henderson can get in deep on a double leg.
Donald Cerrone
Record: 26-6 (1)
Key Wins: Eddie Alvarez (UFC 178), Myles Jury (UFC 182), Edson Barboza (UFC on FOX 11)
Key Losses: Anthony Pettis (UFC on FOX 6), Rafael dos Anjos (UFC Fight Night 27)
Keys to Victory: Cerrone has been a dangerous kickboxer and submission grappler for many years. To this day, Cerrone's usual route to victory is to drop or stun his foe before securing a quick choke, which has resulted in 15 submission wins.
In the last year or so, Cerrone has really worked on improving his flaws and adding new weapons to his game. He no longer circles straight back so frequently, instead angling off and making himself more difficult to hit.
Plus, his step knee and teep kick are relatively new tools. The step knee in particular is extremely effective, as Cerrone wards off wrestling attempts or ducking foes with a stiff knee to the sternum. This is exhausting, demoralizing, and sets up Cerrone's other techniques well.
Altogether, that makes this a very different match; plus, Henderson has improved, as well.
In order to finally defeat Henderson, Cerrone really needs to stay off the fence. In the center of the Octagon, Cerrone is likely the cleaner kickboxer of the two. Plus, his step knee could definitely sway the momentum in his favor.
Cerrone really needs a striking battle. If he allows himself to be herded into the fence, then it's his opponent's fight to lose. Should "Cowboy" continue to improve upon his footwork and keep angling off, his chances are much better.
Bottom Line: This bout should be very entertaining and carries potential title implications.
Henderson needs solid wins, and he needs lots of them. If the former champion wants to regain his crown, he'll need a serious streak in order to make it back to the top.
However, a second straight loss would send Henderson way down to the bottom of the contender list. His loss to Dos Anjos was unexpected, and he can't afford to give up another upset. At that point, any potential title shot would be far, far off in the future.
Meanwhile, this bout is likely a title eliminator for Cerrone. He's on an incredible run and wins fights so rapidly that he quickly builds momentum. Plus, Pettis said that he intends to be very active this year, so he'll need contenders.
Luckily for Cerrone, a loss wouldn't set him back too far. This is, after all, a very short notice bout, but Cerrone is more than able to put a win streak together. So long as his body holds up, Cerrone will be a near constant contender due to his busy schedule.
At UFC Fight Night 59, Benson Henderson and Donald Cerrone will have a final battle inside the Octagon. Which man will have the edge come fight night?