Melendez vs Henderson reportedly set for April Fox card

http://sports.yahoo.com/blogs/mma-c...rson-reportedly-set-april-155027154--mma.html

Gilbert Melendez vs. Benson Henderson reportedly set for April Fox card

By Maggie Hendricks

Though other Strikeforce fighters have been matched up for bouts within the UFC, the first of the current champions has a bout. Gilbert Melendez, the longtime Strikeforce lightweight champion, will reportedly take on Benson Henderson at the UFC on Fox's show in April.

It will be Melendez's first fight since May, when he beat Josh Thomson in a split decision. Melendez was supposed to fight in September, but an injury kept him from the card. Again, he was scheduled to fight on Strikeforce's final card in January, but shoulder problems kept him off the card.

By contrast, Henderson was incredibly active in 2012. He fought three championship bouts: two against Edgar, and one against Melendez's teammate Nate Diaz. All three were won by decision.

No matter who wins this bout, it's interesting that the UFC will have a champion who was crowned first in another promotion that was owned by the same company as the UFC. Henderson was the WEC lightweight champion, but lost the belt to Anthony Pettis in the show's final fight. He won the UFC belt with a win over Edgar.

Strikeforce heavyweight grand prix champion Daniel Cormier also asked to be on the Fox card. After his win on Saturday night, Cormier said he wanted to fight Frank Mir on Fox's April event. Cormier was originally slated to fight Mir in November, but Mir had to withdraw because of an injury. Henderson-Melendez and Cormier-Mir could be the start of an fun set of fights for Fox.

 

They were talking about this yesterday. But yes, it's going to be a great fight.

 

i'll take ben.

 

You're like 24 whole hours late here bruh.

 

Look's like it's "Smooth" sailing for Henderson.

Henderson via Unanimous Decision.

 

And yet another BS title shot.
He barley beat Thompson, bendo will have his way with him. Sf lw div is not on the same lvl.

 

So fighting three times a year is now labeled as being ''incredibly active''? right

 

bendos gonna destroy him

 

Bendo will win , but it won't be as easy as most think IMO

 

awesome. champ vs. champ fights are always super interesting & exciting.

 

This fight is going to be a close one.

 

so a championship unification fight. i think bendo will win this one though
better give a title shot to Pettis if he wins against Cerrone after this...

 

NICE !
Hope Bendo takes it !
But Melendez is no joke.

 

gonna be a great fight

 

Stoked, should be a good fight. I thought they were going to give the shot to Alvarez but I think this is better.

 

So that's how you get 19,000+ posts on here. Gotcha!!

 

Hey did you hear Brock Lesnar is coming to MMA?! Breaking news!

Settle down there. I was kidding. Stop being so sensitive.