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This weekend’s UFC 164 will finally give us MMA fans the answer to whether or not Anthony Pettis’s first win over Ben Henderson was a fluke. Also, the former UFC Heavyweight Champion in Josh Barnett returns to the UFC to battle another former UFC Heavyweight Champion in Frank Mir. If that is not enough for you, Chad Mendes battles Clay Guida and Erik Koch battles Dustin Poirier in a featherweight clash.
Kicking off the action is a featherweight division fight as Erik “New Breed†Koch (13-2-0) does battle against Dustin “The Diamond†Poirier (13-3-0). Koch has won two of three fights under the UFC banner, but his last fight was a loss to Ricardo Lamas at UFC On Fox VI. Poirier has only won one of his last three in UFC competition, with that lone victory coming over Jonathan Brookins at the UFC Ultimate Fighter 16 Finale. These are two fighters who could easily be featherweight champion one day, but it will be Poirier getting the win on this day.
Heavyweights will step into the octagon next as “Big†Ben Rothwell (32-9-0) competes against Brandon “The Truth†Vera (12-6-0-1NC). Rothwell has rotated wins and losses throughout his UFC run, with his last fight being a loss to Gabriel Gonzaga at UFC On FX VII. Vera is returning to the heavyweight division after a five year run at light heavyweight, where he amassed a record of 4-4-0-1NC. This is a must win fight if either fight wants to keep a job in the UFC and it will be Vera keeping his spot safe.
A pair of featherweights are in action next as Clay “The Carpenter†Guida (30-13-0) battles Chad “Money†Mendes (14-1-0). Guida is currently undefeated as a featherweight in UFC competition, having defeated Hatsu Hioki at UFC On Fox VI. Mendes has won three straight fights since losing the UFC Featherweight Title bout to Jose Aldo at UFC 142. The winner of this fight could be next in line for a featherweight title bout and it will be Mendes getting another shot.
Up next is a heavyweight division fight as Josh “The Warmaster†Barnett (32-6-0) takes on Frank Mir (16-7-0). Barnett is returning to the UFC after an eleven year absence for the promotion and he is a former UFC Heavyweight Champion. Mir will enter the fight riding a two fight losing streak, having dropped fights to Junior Dos Santos and Daniel Cormier. This has been a long time coming for Barnett and the former champion will have a triumphal return to UFC competition.
Headlining this card is a UFC Lightweight Title fight as champion Ben “Smooth†Henderson (19-2-0) defends against Anthony “Showtime†Pettis (16-2-0). Henderson will be making the fourth defense of his championship, last defending it against Gilbert Melendez at UFC On Fox VII. Pettis won the first meeting between the fighters to win the WEC Lightweight Title, the fight most known for the infamous “Showtime Kick.†These two fighters have both improved dramatically since the first meeting and it will be Pettis getting two straight on the champ.
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