Later on this evening (Sat., April 20, 2013), Ben Henderson will climb inside the Octagon at the HP Pavilion in San Jose, California, to defend his lightweight championship in the main event of UFC on Fox 7 against a man who ran the 155-pound division in Strikeforce during its dying days, Gilbert Melendez.
There should be far more hype for this showdown than there seems to be, but that could just be the hazards of the UFC running too many shows.
About his big debut and excitement for this match-up, Melendez says:
"It's been a roller coaster ride trying to get to the UFC. It's definitely been a dream of mine. Now, I'm here and fighting for the title but yes, I envisioned this moment. I feel like I've earned this and I feel like I've been working for this for a long time. I could go through my stats but we don't have all day. It's champion vs. champion and I think we're both going to deliver."
Henderson's game for any challenge, as long as it's the best guy in line:
"Gilbert's tough. He's definitely been in the top two or three or five in the world at 155-pounds for a long time. You don't get to be that way, or be in that position, unless you are tough and you do have the skills to back it up. I just want to fight the best guys I can, period. I don't care who or what or when or where or why or how, the fact is I'm going to go inside that Octagon and I'm going to show you I'm the best fighter."
It won't be long before whatever debate was left about UFC vs. Strikeforce, at least in the lightweight division, can be put to rest.
Let's get it on!
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