Benson Henderson has posted 16 wins in his last 17 outings. | File Photo
Benson Henderson will defend his Ultimate Fighting Championship lightweight crown against former Strikeforce champion Gilbert Melendez in a showdown between the world’s top two 155-pound fighters in the UFC on Fox 7 main event on Saturday at the HP Pavilion in San Jose, Calif.
Sherdog.com touched base with a number of professional fighters and trainers to gauge their opinions on the UFC on Fox 7 headliner:
Johny Hendricks: I’m going with Henderson. He finds a way to win.
Ed Herman: I gotta go with Henderson. He's a freak but Melendez is a crafty vet. it could go either way (and) it should be a great fight!
Tom DeBlass: I’m actually 50/50 on this. I can’t pick a winner.
Brock Jardine: I’m really looking forward to the Henderson-Melendez fight. I think it's going to be a “Fight of the Night” performance. I’m going with Melendez by decision.
Costas Philippou: Benson will beat Gilbert. Benson is too strong and athletic for Gilbert. Skill-wise they may be close, but Benson is a freak athlete.
Vitor Vianna: Benson has a big fight coming up. I think it’s better for Benson to use his takedowns and Brazilian jiu-jitsu. The standup is 50/50, so the ground game makes the difference.
Mitch Clarke: I’m going with Benson by decision. I think he’s too big, too fast and will be able to grind up Melendez. Melendez is an excellent fighter, but he’s had a long layoff and is coming off some bad injuries into a big fight against a fighter who is more skilled and bigger.
File Photo
Melendez has been cast as the underdog.
Steven Siler: I gotta go with Ben on this one. Both are very strong wrestlers with Ben having a slight size advantage, and he’s also a better striker then Gil, so I think he will get the decision win.
Brian Foster: Awesome fight. This is the battle of imports, Benson coming from the WEC and Gil from Strikeforce. It’s interesting because almost all the imported names have been tearing s--- up. Benson is an aggressive grinder, as is Melendez, but Henderson’s catch wrestling ability stands out. In the midst of a scramble, he snatches something and it’s usually pretty tight, whatever it is. Gil is a great fighter and a tough opponent for anyone, but to beat Benson, you’ve got to have abnormal striking technique, one I think Gil lacks. This is a great title defense fight for Ben.
Jeff Hougland: This should be a fun fight to watch. I don’t think Melendez gets the respect he deserves because he was fighting in Strikeforce, but he is tough as nails and I think he wants it more. I’m not just saying that because he beat me up. Melendez wins by split decision.
Spencer Fisher: I’m going for Melendez. I think he is better in all aspects than Henderson, and points go to Melendez for a better haircut.
Igor Araujo: I think this is the “Fight of the year.” I know we’re at the beginning of the year, but these guys, for me, are two of the best and most entertaining guys in the game. I give a 60/40 edge to Benson because he’s been in the UFC for a long time. Gilbert will hold this belt one day but not now. Benson wins by decision.
Joe Duarte: I have to go with Melendez.
Mike Ciesnolevicz: The Strikeforce guys are proving that the best fighters in the world weren’t only in the UFC. Benson is a tough guy and will have his moments, but in the end, Melendez takes the decision.
Keith Berry: Benson is so well-rounded, and his never-ending cardio also comes into play. I’m saying Benson wins by decision, but I’m sure it will be an exciting fight.
Gabe Ruediger: I’m going with Ben. He is one of the few guys I’ve had a chance to train with that I thought was a special talent.
Mark Bocek: Benson wins by decision.
Nam Phan: I’ve got Gilbert all the way.
Kyle Kingsbury: Benson is on another level than Gil. I don’t know how it’s going to happen, but the fight will be lopsided.
Travis Wiuff: Melendez wins.
Eric Prindle: Benson all the way.
John Gunderson: Man, what a fight. This is the first time I can’t think of a clear-cut winner, but I’ll go with Gilbert because I’d love to see a Skrap Pack guy bring home the UFC belt.
Colton Smith: I’ve trained with Gil for a brief time and he is very unsuspecting physically and technically, and he can scrap. He’s a great fighter but Benson will take this; not easily, but he will win in a five-round scrap.
Robert Drysdale: Benson wins.
Alan Belcher: I pick Henderson. Dude is a freak athlete and a straight gangster with a toothpick.
Travis Lutter: Benson-Gilbert should be a really fun fight to watch, but I think Benson will be slightly faster of the duo. Also, I think he has the ability to decide, if needed, to put Gilbert on his back with his wrestling.
Pros Picking Henderson: 17
Pros Picking Melendez: 8
No Pick: 2
Follow Mike Sloan at www.twitter.com/@mikesloan19 and www.facebook.com/mikesloan19.