Anthony Pettis | Benson Henderson Doesn’t Want To Fight Me

“If I was him, I would say the same thing too. I mean, he just won the belt and he doesn’t want to give it up that quick and if he fights against me, he’s not going to hold on to that belt for a while, I mean, I match up bad for him, and for (him to say) for me to work on my takedown defense, last year he couldn’t take me down and we went five rounds and I won that decision. So, if I was him, I wouldn’t want to fight me either. Of course, he doesn’t want to fight me, for that reason. There is no clear number one contender in the UFC (lightweight) division except myself. I mean Diaz is fighting Jim Miller, and that fight’s a long time away. Let’s set this up, let’s see who’s really number one in the lightweight division. I’m the last guy to beat him and I just had one of the best performances of my life, so let’s make this happen. He definitely got a lot better, but I got a lot better too, everybody gets better in a year. I don’t really see too big a changes, I don’t think it’s going to be one of those fights that where he’s just going to come in and dominate.”
Anthony Pettis is the last man to beat Benson Henderson, it was a close fight, but Pettis was able to earn a decision win and take the title from Ben when the two still fought under the WEC banner.
Pettis now finds himself in a possible number one contender position and is trying to make it to a rematch with Benson to prove he is the best lightweight fighter in the world.
Benson is coming off of five-round destruction over Frankie Edgar to earn the UFC’s lightweight title.
At the time of Henderson vs. Pettis 1, Benson Henderson got away from his typical style of fighting and was trying to be more of a crowd pleaser. At least, that is what it seems like from the sidelines. In a rematch I would expect to see a more strategic champion and because of that I give Henderson the edge, but who really knows?
What say you Penn Nation? Can Pettis repeat and take the crown or will Henderson get redemption for “The kick heard round the world”?
(quote via prommaradio)
Read More: UFC 144, Anthony Pettis (News), Benson Henderson (News)
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i don’t care who fights bendo… as long as its not frankie. i’m sick of that guy. tired of seeing him get bloodied up early in the fight and then use his “heart” to stay in it… over it.
Well I minute your crying that the wrestlers are boring ,now you don’t want a bloody war.. Make up your dam mind…… take your bipolar pill…
Frankie is a TRUE Lightweight who gets ****ed up by TRUE middleweights. Maybe if he actually fought a LIGHTWEiGHt he wouldn’t get so bloody
I agree. That’s why he should move down to FW or even BW. Then he’ll be fighting true LW.
I’d rather him move to Bantam Weight to face Cruz.
Wreck this chump Bendo !
i like both fighters, more of a bendo fan though, but for Pettis to think cause he got a quick knockout that suddenly hes #1 contender when he couldnt even beat guida, and bendo did…i say 1 more fight to solidify that #1 spot..
I like Pettis, but i think benson would win.
Bedo the homo is a bitc$. He cuts a lot of weight so he doesn’t have to fight at his normal weight range. I hate these guys using the weight system to hide out.
It is a simple fact we have to accept – fighters will cut weight. Not just in MMA, in boxing, kickboxing, wrestling….even youth wrestling!! The kids do it!
If you can make the weight and keep in great physical condition (as Henderson proved he can do – he could’ve gone 5 more rounds) then why not?! Edgar should accept this, maybe get a couple weight cutting tips off bendo so Edgar could keep his cardio at a lower weight class and go and dominate the 145 or even 135 categories. He’d kill Cruz…Aldo/Edgar would be amazing to see.
There are only a select few fighters that don’t cut weight – and don’t get me wrong, I respect them greatly, but they will generally be out-sized if they are fighting at the ‘natural’ weight – and I’m 100% that is something they know and expect going into each fight.
So you hate almost every fighter that has ever fought in a combat sport. Every champ in the UFC with the exception of JDS cuts weight to make the weight range and even he cuts to be in fighting shape.
Ben only cut like 6 pounds.
He said it takes him 8 weeks to cut down for a fight. I’m not sure but that must be more than 6 pounds, since he also said it’s very tough on him and he makes his opponents pay for it.
I think Pettis can and will beat him. Yeah He lost against Guida but I hardly count that as a loss just because he was on the bottom, if you watch that fight again Pettis is the more offensive one even when taken down. One Flaw for BJJ in the UFC is the scoring system, but give pettis the shot, he’ll take it
Did Pettis, by beating Joe Lauzon, earn a shot? I don’t believe so. Though I would hate to see it, I think that Henderson v Edgar II needs to happen. I am not buying the ” look at Frankie and his face, I took no damage” arguement. You really need to beat the champ. (finish)
then frankie never had the belt considering he was never near finishing bj….ur argument is mute….frankie got his ass handed to him….
‘Moot’. His argument is moot.
This guy is such a cocky POS. finish this chump Ben and send him his pink card.
I can’t stand the cocky look on this guys face.
He couldn’t beat Guida and Henderson destroyed him.
your an idiot, its ill-informed fans like you that make me mad, Pettis beat him before and will do it again!
I don’t see how bendo wins this one. Pettis is faster, more dynamic, and hits way harder. Guida dry-humped him to earn a decision. I don’t think bendo could do the same
Man I wish Diaz wasn’t already booked, I think him and Pettis would be such a sick fight!
Pettis is just pumping himself up. The fight is going to happen one way or the other. I’m not even sure this is news.
I find henderson to be cocky with them lil smirks he gives while fighting hopefully pettis jumps off the cage again and breaks that faggots jaw
lol! You must be a closet homo. Only gays have gays in their minds.
Well said.
I think Pettis is overratted. He’s 2-1 in the UFC and he thinks he’s the number one contender?? I think Edson Barboza should be next in line for a title shot, and he’s 4-0 in the UFC.
You obviously didn’t follow the WEC, P.S. 4 UFC champs are from (including interim Condit)
I did follow the WEC and I know Pettis had a pretty good run, but who did he fight while in the WEC?? IMHO the only reason he won the fight with Ben Henderson was that “showtime kick” he threw at the end of the fifth round. I had that fight 3-2 for Bendo. I honestly believe that Pettis needs a few more fights and win BIG ( like the Joe Lauzon fight) to prove that he’s a worthy contender.
I agree, give him another person or two to fight, in order to prove he is worthy of a title shot.
how about the winner of diaz vs miller
I’d like to see Pettis fight Maynard or Edgar for the title shot.
Same thing w/ the winner of the Diaz/Miller. WInner still needs one more for tittle shot.
Barboza already has a fight scheduled. And guida didn’t beat Pettis. He layed on him for dear life the whole time
First of all dana promised pettis a title shot when he first got to the ufc kinda like shitbag jake shields got, and secondly cutting weight is part of the ufc, frankies the one that should be down a division, regardless pettis is deserving an bensons a class act stop hatin cuz ur dissatified dude is more down to earth than 95 percent of the ufc
I’m a fan of both guys. But have been a fan of Henderson longer, since his MFC days. Don’t understand what Pettis is saying “I wouldn’t take that fight either”. Any sane and real fighter, let alone a champion WOULD take a fight with the person that handed him his only loss since June of 2007. The Bendo that fought Pettis in WEC wasn’t the Bendo that one the fought up to the interm match against Cerrone, wasn’t the one that beat Varner for the title, and wasn’t the one that defended it against Cerrone. Watching that fight, I was asking myself “what’s wrong with him”? He basically underestimated, and did prepare as he should have for Pettis. But even after the “Matrix” kick, Pettis couldn’t put him out. Benson, definitely learned from his mistake in that fight, and as can clearly be seen, didn’t make anymore. Henderson vs Pettis II will surely be much different. Pettis has improved, but not as much as Henderson. Henderson is one of those guys like GSP, that just seems to get better and better with every fight. Pettis is one those guys (like most), that just fine tunes what works for them. But not actually GET better significantly. I’d love to see a rematch. Hope it happens.
When BJ lost the belt this whole division went to the Dogs. None of these dudes are in the same class as a BJ penn or an anderson silva etc. And we won’t see another one for a while i think. so who really cares? none of these dudes are gonna stay champ for long. Maybe BJ should step back in next year some time and KO a few of these little cocky kids.
the division is evolving and getting better… bj lost the belt because he was beaten.. not saying he aint good but he definitely is not coming back and KOing anybody
BJ is officially retired from 155 and 170… if he comes back ill bet its 185 lol the dude is relaxin.. eating and doing everything outside of mma
5 round destruction? I think not. Poor choice of words.
Bullshit tha only reason pettis won the fight was b/c the cool ass head kick he landed but he won’t win again he got lucky and knocked out joe I bet he couldn’t do it again
Relax Pettis, stop living in that WEC match, Nate Diaz would beat you until your blue in the face lil boy! And Frankie Edgar would run laps around you too! Lets see you earn your way and stop trying to ride the hypne train! Diaz Bros and TEAM PENN!!!!!
Nate vs Pettis sounds like a match made in heaven. Fight of the year written all over it.
Hell yea
He is one new trash talker, i have respect for that kid ben. but BJ is always my nomber one
Buncha ****in idiots in here. Pettis. Champion. Benson. Fake champion.
The last time Henderson and Pettis fought in the WEC, Pettis lost every round until his cheap off the fence kick landed. That was only luck,….Henderson is a better more powerful fighter than Pettis.
More stories of yesterday’s glories. I’m not a big fan of self promotion. IMO Pettis needs to finish or score a lopsided UD againt a top contender to get a shot at Benson. I don’t know if Pettis could even get past Diaz.
wow pettis duznt desurve a shot ben beat guida and miller back to back both number 1 contenders who have u beat? stevens in a undercard fight & lauzon (he’s good bt not top 5) i think pettis should fight diaz & if he wins then he could talk
It’s time for BJ to come back and fight Pettis. Frankie aka The Decision King was always a bad match up for BJ because of his cardio and his chin. With guys who actually fight instead of running in circles waiting for takedowns… BJ would dominate the lightweight division.
While Benson plays with his hair, BJ would put a fist to his face. While Pettis lines up kicks, BJ would put a fist to his gut. WAR PENN
I think Ben would take Pettis easy.
I wanna see this.
its not that he doesn’t want to fight you… its that you haven’t earned a title shot… however, it is very likely you will get one because of timing as 2011 was the year all title contenders at LW killed themselves or each other out of contention. you have a lost to guida and 2 wins over decent opponents. you really need one big win if you want a title shot…
Not even Pettis cut the skin of that dam chewbaca Benson… Everyone says Frankie didn’t scratch him..
Well neither did Pettis and that’s that Pettis was on that ass ..it’s just that dam chewbaca jr. (benson) doesn’t ever put on lotion, alligator skin amadre!!!!
LOL at Chewbacca Benson jr! That’s funny! You must be a brother!
Coming from someone who needs lotion to avoid the shame of ashy-ness in public. Cracked skin doesn’t give you impenetrable skin! Hahaha! Shame…. Just shame….
Destruction of Frankie Edgar. He barely edged him. A guy that was 20lbs lighter than him.
Let’s get Cerrone back in the mix. After his next fight with Jeremy Stevens (if he wins) have him fight Pettis.
Cerrone vs Pettis… Then we can talk about who deserves a shot at the title.
+1 the only people who really deserves a title shot is Nate Diaz if he beats Jim Miller, Glibert Melendez (unlikely because he’s really strike force’s only asset) and maybe Shinya Aoki. I was thinking they could bring in Aoki for a title fight just so that there will be a bit of time to develop new challengers that are worthy of a shot.
Pettis all day!
A rematch with Guida would make more sense.
yup make him prove he can beat Clay.
Clay did you mean Lay and Pray
I want to see him fight the winner of Diaz vs Miller and then the winner gets Bendo.
Yo stfu
Pettis deserves the shot unless frankie gets his rematch and I guarantee frankie will tko him in their 2nd fight the upkick was the only thing that had frankie hurt
your guarantees don’t mean smack
frankie was in trouble the whole fight, i guess that upkick swole his eye shut the whole fight too. fanboys….
so if the upkick was the only thing that hurt Frankie, what did he do that hurt Bendo? nadda, which is why he lost.
That upkick hit him in the forehead dog. What happend to his eye and broken nose……just saying. The only thing that got beat up were Bendo’s fists.
edgar got beat the **** up lol
no rematch!!!
Edson Barboza future champ
soon as he gets a chance his gonna put away everyone
Pettis is pathetic. Way to go with your last “decision” win. I understand that he’s doing everything he can to get a payday – but pipe down little man. Your over-confidence excudes a lack of confidence. By the way – where is your belt? Oh…you don’t have one.
No , shit moron.. That’s why were here debating if he should fight for the belt…
LOL .. Henderson was winning that fight until that LUCKY kick and that was why he got the decision .. a rematch would be nice ..
yes sir ur ryt he got luky on dat off da cake kick and yes henderson was winnin until that round and das wat got pettis the wini know he didnt kick hendersons ass
lol off da cage kick
quick F-U and LMAO to the people saying WEC fighters cant hang… WEC NEVER DIEEEEEEEEEEEE
**** Pettis, make him wait. All he is doing is trying to hype himself up!
i wanna c a rematch cause it was a gd fight but pettis was holdin a lot and he coulnd chok henderson when he had da chok from da bac but pettis hed is gettin to big for his body ryt now .shut da fuk up and relax ,you will get a chance and henderson just needs to fight the way he knos how to fight
i think the best option is for the ufc to have pettis and frankie edgar fight for the next shot. i’d argue frankie deserves a rematch, but many would argue against it. im a HUGE pettis fan, but id argue he needs one more win before he gets the shot. set their fight up for within a month of diaz vs miller. the winner of the diaz vs miller fight gets the next shot deservingly, and then the winner of edgar vs pettis gets it after that. i think there legitimately is 4-6 contenders; diaz, miller, pettis, edgar, barbosa. people keep forgetting about edson vs dunham but that fight is quietly a contender fight too.
Let’s see if Barbosa pulls off another wicked KO. I’m sure he’ll get a title shot in no time if he dispatches Dunham like he dispatched Etim.
i think he should be close. i realize etim wasnt a legitimate star yet but a brutal ko like that, and in my view, the technique he has already displayed, with brilliance, shows me that there are FEW who can and would even be willing to stand with him. i imagine evan wants to take a submission home with him when the 2 meet. big fan of both! evan dunham is beast too!
The henderson that faught pettis is gone. Pettis had the the fight of his life with him that ONE time.pettis got his chance against guida in ufc and choked plain and simple,as opposed to henderson who smashed guida. Pettis is good ,but henderson has grown way more as a fighter and is producing better outcomes for himself and its showing .look at the statistics.
since when did 2 wins (one by split decision) grant a title shot? Sure pettis was the last WEC champion (with zero title defenses) but that doesnt transfer over to the UFC into an over stacked division. Barboza is 4-0 in the UFC who should be getting a shot soon. Cerrone woulda had one if he didnt go and **** it up by taking 2353 fights in one year and lost to diaz. If diaz beats miller, let em fight barboza and then winner gets benson.
I’ve got to agree that Henderson is scared to fight Pettis. In the post fight interview, Henderson was coming up with every excuse is the book not to fight Pettis, “doesn’t deserve it, take down defense, 2-3 more fights, etc”. It’s pretty obvious that he is SCURRED!
u’r scurred
if the UFC gives this kid a title shot after 2 wins thats gotta be a slap in the face to the entire division…there are so many guys more deserving of a shot then pettis…let guida slam him on the mat for another boring 15 minutes just to shut him up haha
YOU NEVER WON THE FIRST FIGHT!!!!!!!!! JUST BECAUSE YOU SUPER KICK A GUY OFF THE CAGE DOESNT MEAN YOU SHOULD WIN!!!!! HE WON EVERY ROUND BUT THAT ONE AND YOU STULL NEVER KNOCKED HIM OUT WITH THAT….LMAO, TRY IT AGAIN AND HE WILL HAND YOUR ASS TO YOU AND YOU KNOW IT
I think Pettis and Nate should fight, and winner get a title shot. Send Frankie down to 145 to get ass packed by that lil tree monkey Aldo
I usually don’t comment on these boards, but I don’t think Hendo/Edgar 2 needs to happen right away. Personally, since Guida did officially beat Pettis and Pettis is up there trying to get a title shot, why not let Guida get the next crack at Hendo? Their last fight was a good fight, and it’ll give Edgar and Pettis time to get their situation sorted.
So while that’s happening, we can let Pettis and Edgar fight for the next contender slot. Winner of that fight takes the Guida/Hendo winner?
Whatever happens, we get a good storyline. We can get Hendo/Edgar 2 for the rematch, Pettis/Hendo the revenge for WEC, Guida/Pettis as revenge for Pettis’ only loss, and Edgar/Guida for… well, actually that might be a weird fight to see.
Either way, I think that if the contendership is around these four guys, Guida had a great recent match against Hendo that should qualify him over the guy Hendo just recently beat and the guy Guida beat before Hendo.
The division is pretty stacked, though. There are a handful of other guys who might be standing in front of Pettis. Cerrone at least has been working his ass off, fighting every few months. Nate Diaz has probably done enough for a contendership bout. It just seemed like a good way to settle the sort of Hendo-Guida-Pettis-Edgar situation where we have a big pool of top shelf talent.
In the meantime, we can sort of run almost a sixteen man elimination tournament. Once the dust settles, we’ll have a better understanding of who gets contendership after all that is over.
Haha that fight was vendor standing, not using his wrestling and it was still even until the kick. Pettiest even admitted it. If Vendor uses wrestling he’ll have a better chance. Pettis doesn’t deserve a fight he has some proving to do.
ummm… He beat BJ twice. The first time was close. The 2nd fight he smashed BJ
smashed?!