Top 5 Stories of the Week
Benson Henderson will put his title on the line in April. |
Photo: Sherdog.com
A lightweight title tilt between former Strikeforce champion Gilbert Melendez and reigning Ultimate Fighting Championship kingpin Benson Henderson will headline UFC on Fox 7 on April 20 at the HP Pavilion in San Jose, Calif.
Henderson has not lost since joining the UFC in 2011 as part of the World Extreme Cagefighting merger. The 29-year-old MMA Lab representative captured the lightweight title from Frankie Edgar at UFC 144 in February, successfully defended it in his rematch with “The Answer” six months later and cemented his place as MMA’s 155-pound alpha male with a unanimous verdict over Nate Diaz in December.
Melendez is regarded by many as one of the sport’s top pound-for-pound talents, despite never having competed in the UFC. The 30-year-old Californian has avenged the only two defeats of his career and will enter his Octagon debut on the strength of a seven-fight winning streak. Melendez last fought at Strikeforce “Barnett vs. Cormier” in May, when he earned a split decision over rival Josh Thomson and retained his lightweight crown.
The stories of interest on Sherdog.com this week:
Champion vs. Champion
Dynamite Debut
Bluff Called
Killer Crossovers
‘Showtime’ Bids Adieu
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