This weekend’s headlining fight at UFC 144 between lightweight champion Frankie Edgar and top challenger Benson Henderson is both a blessing and a curse for the Zuffa brass. While the bout is unquestionably ripe with potential in terms of entertainment value it will also leave the UFC without a clear-cut contender to the title meaning the man who emerges victorious in Saitama Super Arena will have at least six months to wait before seeing action again.

The truth is, save for the possibility of the powers that be changing course and bringing Strikeforce title-holder Gilbert Melendez over, there are currently no challengers for the UFC’s belt who make sense as far as actual in-ring success and availability go.

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Based on welterweight Nick Diaz’s surly demeanor and emotional reaction to having been outpointed by Carlos Condit at UFC 143 it would be logical to assume he went on a tirade backstage involving a lot of shouting or chairs being thrown. However, as the saying goes, you can’t always judge a book by its cover, and in the case of Diaz the words absolutely ring true.

Diaz’s response to the defeat was captured recent video blog from UFC President Dana White where cameras followed fighters around behind the scenes at the event including into Diaz’s locker room once things had wrapped up. In the clip Diaz, who is clearly upset, maintains his composure and even gives Condit credit for winning a few rounds.

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There are few fighters who can match lightweight champion Frankie Edgar’s combination of speed and striking. However, while the challenge in finding an opponent to replicate the UFC title-holder’s attack might be significant, top 155-pound contender Benson Henderson typically pasts most tests he takes and it appears he’s done so once again with flying colors.

According to “Bendo”, UFC bantamweight champ Dominick Cruz joined his camp this time around to help him get ready for his headlining bout this weekend against Edgar at UFC 144.

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This weekend one of MMA’s legitimate stars will take to the Octagon for one of the final times in his storied career. While it may seem premature based on his relative success and overall durability, UFC light heavyweight Quinton Jackson has remained firm on his stance of retiring from the ring by 35. In fact, “Rampage” even expressed the notion he would have already hung his trademark chain up had he beaten Jon Jones last September to become champion.

Jackson, who turns 34 in June, probably has five fights remaining (maybe four) before letting his final howl fly including Saturday night’s scrap with Ryan Bader at UFC 144. As such, the UFC needs to be intelligent with their matchmaking to capitalize on his marketability before it’s too late. There’s no reason to waste him on a young buck like Alexander Gustafsson or Phil Davis, nor a past-his-prime veteran like Vladimir Matyushenko. Jackson needs opponents who are either relevant divisionally or who have names carrying weight.

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UFC light heavyweight Ryan Bader has earned a reputation in MMA as a high-level wrestler with knockout power. Comparably, his adversary at UFC 144 – Quinton Jackson – has made a name for himself in part due to durability as well as the ability to hang with most grapplers.

Whose style stands up best to the other will play out on Saturday night in Japan though if you ask Jackson he’s not necessarily concerned with anything the Ultimate Fighter winner has to offer.

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Japanese star Yoshihiro Akiyama may have fallen in his last three bouts and only barely outpointed Alan Belcher to pick up his lone victory inside the Octagon, but former Strikeforce champion Jake Shields sees an incredibly game competitor in front of him going into their match-up this weekend at UFC 144 rather than a veteran heading down the other side of the professional hill.

Shields, himself on two-fight skid, recently shared his thoughts on Akiyama who he expects to be in as fine a form as ever.

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This glorious Presidents’ Day, known by many here in America as “that day I get off from work for some reason”, gives reason to pause and honor the heads of the United States whose contributions to not only this country but society in general have had an important impact on the world. In the spirit of the holiday, I’ve compiled a list of names from the Mixed Martial Arts world with each represented by a President of the United States I feel is comparable in nature.

Raise your flags high, crank up The Star Spangled Banner, and enjoy!

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Undefeated judoka Ronda Rousey has never shied away from her opinion on the importance of physical appearance in women’s MMA. Though the 4-0 bantamweight has drawn criticism from some fans, media, and fellow fighters, given her headlining slot against champion Miesha Tate on a March 3 Strikeforce card it appears the 25-year old is clearly onto something.

Rousey explained her reasoning in a recent roundtable with media to promote the upcoming show where she equated it to an attention-grabbing gimmick rather than a core component of the sport she calls home.

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