UFC 150 Results: Ben Henderson Takes Debatable Decision Over Frankie Edgar

If you thought the first Benson Henderson-Frankie Edgar fight was close, then you hadn't seen anything yet.

In a repeat of their memorable five-round February battle in Japan, Henderson and Edgar went toe-to-toe for 25 minutes Saturday night in the main event of UFC 150 at the Pepsi Center in Denver.

Like the first time around, Henderson took the decision. He defeated Edgar via split decision to keep the UFC lightweight title he won from the former champion in February.

Tony Weeks scored the bout 49-46 for Edgar, giving him the final four rounds. Mark Van Tine and Dave Hagen had it at 48-47 for Henderson, as both gave him rounds 1, 3, and 4.

Henderson clearly won round one, peppering Edgar with solid leg kicks and getting the former champion into a tight guillotine over the final 20 seconds of the round. Edgar just as clearly won round two, dropping Henderson with a big right hand and then controlling him on the ground for much of the stanza.

Then things got a little tighter.

Round three was one of the closest rounds seen in a UFC championship in quite some time, with both men active but neither doing major damage. In rounds four and five, both fighters scored, with Edgar scoring with strikes off the breaks and also ducking many of Henderson's strikes and answering with counters. But Henderson's strikes landed more heavily.

Henderson (17-2), who has now won 14 of his past 15 fights, felt he earned the decision.

"You always have a concern whenever it goes to a decision," Henderson said. "Frankie's tough. We all know how tough Frankie is. ... They always bring it in rematches."

Though many felt Edgar (14-3-1) earned the decision, he's now faced with the reality that he's dropped back-to-back fights to the champion. A drop to 145 pounds might be necessary, but that wasn't on his mind Saturday.

"It don't matter," Edgar said. "I thought I brought it to him. I don't know if I can watch that fight. It don't matter. I'm upset, man. What are you gonna do?"

Grid View

• UFC 150 Photos Ben Henderson drills Frankie Edgar with a head kick during UFC 150 at the Pepsi Center in Denver on Sat., Aug. 11, 2012.
• UFC 150 Photos Franke Edgar enters the cage during UFC 150 at the Pepsi Center in Denver on Sat., Aug. 11, 2012.
• UFC 150 Photos Ben Henderson enters the cage during UFC 150 at the Pepsi Center in Denver on Sat., Aug. 11, 2012.
• UFC 150 Photos Ben Henderson gets checked out by the commission during UFC 150 at the Pepsi Center in Denver on Sat., Aug. 11, 2012.
• UFC 150 Photos Ben Henderson enters the cage during UFC 150 at the Pepsi Center in Denver on Sat., Aug. 11, 2012.
• UFC 150 Photos Ben Henderson and Frankie Edgar face off during UFC 150 at the Pepsi Center in Denver on Sat., Aug. 11, 2012.
• UFC 150 Photos Ben Henderson attempts a guillotine choke on Frankie Edgar during UFC 150 at the Pepsi Center in Denver on Sat., Aug. 11, 2012.
• UFC 150 Photos Ben Henderson's mother cheers for him during UFC 150 at the Pepsi Center in Denver on Sat., Aug. 11, 2012.
• UFC 150 Photos Ben Henderson fires a kick to the ribs of Frankie Edgar during UFC 150 at the Pepsi Center in Denver on Sat., Aug. 11, 2012.
• UFC 150 Photos Frankie Edgar lands a right hand on Ben Henderson during UFC 150 at the Pepsi Center in Denver on Sat., Aug. 11, 2012.
• UFC 150 Photos Frankie Edgar follows up on a dropped Ben Henderson during UFC 150 at the Pepsi Center in Denver on Sat., Aug. 11, 2012.
• UFC 150 Photos Ben Henderson and Frankie Edgar exchange strikes during UFC 150 at the Pepsi Center in Denver on Sat., Aug. 11, 2012.
• UFC 150 Photos Ben Henderson gets corner advice between rounds during UFC 150 at the Pepsi Center in Denver on Sat., Aug. 11, 2012.
• UFC 150 Photos UFC Octagon ring girl Arianny Celeste during UFC 150 at the Pepsi Center in Denver on Sat., Aug. 11, 2012.
• UFC 150 Photos Ben Henderson lands a knee on Frankie Edgar during UFC 150 at the Pepsi Center in Denver on Sat., Aug. 11, 2012.
• UFC 150 Photos Ben Henderson lands a head kick from the ground on Frankie Edgar during UFC 150 at the Pepsi Center in Denver on Sat., Aug. 11, 2012.
• UFC 150 Photos Ben Henderson taunts Frankie Edgar during UFC 150 at the Pepsi Center in Denver on Sat., Aug. 11, 2012.
• UFC 150 Photos Frankie Edgar lands a right hand on Ben Henderson during UFC 150 at the Pepsi Center in Denver on Sat., Aug. 11, 2012.
• UFC 150 Photos Frankie Edgar lands an outside leg kick on Ben Henderson during UFC 150 at the Pepsi Center in Denver on Sat., Aug. 11, 2012.
• UFC 150 Photos UFC Octagon ring girl Brittney Palmer during UFC 150 at the Pepsi Center in Denver on Sat., Aug. 11, 2012.
• UFC 150 Photos Frankie Edgar lands another right hand on Ben Henderson during UFC 150 at the Pepsi Center in Denver on Sat., Aug. 11, 2012.
• UFC 150 Photos Frankie Edgar fires a right hand to Ben Henderson's face during UFC 150 at the Pepsi Center in Denver on Sat., Aug. 11, 2012.
• UFC 150 Photos Ben Henderson throws a knee to Frankie Edgar's ribs during UFC 150 at the Pepsi Center in Denver on Sat., Aug. 11, 2012.
• UFC 150 Photos Ben Henderson is hit with a right hand by Frankie Edgar during UFC 150 at the Pepsi Center in Denver on Sat., Aug. 11, 2012.
• UFC 150 Photos Frankie Edgar and Ben Henderson raises their hands in victory during UFC 150 at the Pepsi Center in Denver on Sat., Aug. 11, 2012.
• UFC 150 Photos Ben Henderson is declared the winner during UFC 150 at the Pepsi Center in Denver on Sat., Aug. 11, 2012.
• UFC 150 Photos UFC commentator Joe Rogan interviews Ben Henderson during UFC 150 at the Pepsi Center in Denver on Sat., Aug. 11, 2012.
• UFC 150 Photos Ben Henderson poses with coaches and teammates during UFC 150 at the Pepsi Center in Denver on Sat., Aug. 11, 2012.
• UFC 150 Photos Melvin Guillard eats a head kick from Donald Cerrone during UFC 150 at the Pepsi Center in Denver on Sat., Aug. 11, 2012.
• UFC 150 Photos Donald Cerrone enters the cage during UFC 150 at the Pepsi Center in Denver on Sat., Aug. 11, 2012.
• UFC 150 Photos Donald Cerrone eats a left straight from Melvin Guillard during UFC 150 at the Pepsi Center in Denver on Sat., Aug. 11, 2012.
• UFC 150 Photos Referee Josh Rosenthal stops the fight between Donald Cerrone and Melvin Guillard during UFC 150 at the Pepsi Center in Denver on Sat., Aug. 11, 2012.
• UFC 150 Photos Donald Cerrone walks off after knocking Melvin Guillard out during UFC 150 at the Pepsi Center in Denver on Sat., Aug. 11, 2012.
• UFC 150 Photos Donald Cerrone is declared the winner over Melvin Guillard during UFC 150 at the Pepsi Center in Denver on Sat., Aug. 11, 2012.
• UFC 150 Photos Donald Cerrone poses with coaches during UFC 150 at the Pepsi Center in Denver on Sat., Aug. 11, 2012.
• UFC 150 Photos Jake Shields lands an elbow on Dave Herman during UFC 150 at the Pepsi Center in Denver on Sat., Aug. 11, 2012.
• UFC 150 Photos Jake Shields hears his name announced before the fight during UFC 150 at the Pepsi Center in Denver on Sat., Aug. 11, 2012.
• UFC 150 Photos Jake Shields attempts a straight armbar on Ed Herman during UFC 150 at the Pepsi Center in Denver on Sat., Aug. 11, 2012.
• UFC 150 Photos Jake Shields' fingers nearly rake the eyes of Ed Herman during UFC 150 at the Pepsi Center in Denver on Sat., Aug. 11, 2012.
• UFC 150 Photos Jake Shields lands a body kick on Ed Herman during UFC 150 at the Pepsi Center in Denver on Sat., Aug. 11, 2012.
• UFC 150 Photos Jake Shields is declared the winner during UFC 150 at the Pepsi Center in Denver on Sat., Aug. 11, 2012.
• UFC 150 Photos Yushin Okami tags Buddy Roberts with a right hand during UFC 150 at the Pepsi Center in Denver on Sat., Aug. 11, 2012.
• UFC 150 Photos Yushin Okami enters the cage during UFC 150 at the Pepsi Center in Denver on Sat., Aug. 11, 2012.
• UFC 150 Photos Buddy Roberts throws left hands during UFC 150 at the Pepsi Center in Denver on Sat., Aug. 11, 2012.
• UFC 150 Photos Buddy Roberts lands a straight left on Yushin Okami during UFC 150 at the Pepsi Center in Denver on Sat., Aug. 11, 2012.
• UFC 150 Photos Yushin Okami gets corner advice in between rounds during UFC 150 at the Pepsi Center in Denver on Sat., Aug. 11, 2012.
• UFC 150 Photos Yushin Okami and Buddy Roberts exchange strikes during UFC 150 at the Pepsi Center in Denver on Sat., Aug. 11, 2012.
• UFC 150 Photos Yushin Okami pounds on Buddy Roberts during UFC 150 at the Pepsi Center in Denver on Sat., Aug. 11, 2012.
• UFC 150 Photos Yushin Okami ground and pounds Buddy Roberts during UFC 150 at the Pepsi Center in Denver on Sat., Aug. 11, 2012.
• UFC 150 Photos Yushin Okami tries to lands punches on the back of Buddy Roberts during UFC 150 at the Pepsi Center in Denver on Sat., Aug. 11, 2012.
• UFC 150 Photos Yushin Okami is pulled off by the referee during UFC 150 at the Pepsi Center in Denver on Sat., Aug. 11, 2012.
• UFC 150 Photos Yushin Okami celebrates his victory over Buddy Roberts during UFC 150 at the Pepsi Center in Denver on Sat., Aug. 11, 2012.
• UFC 150 Photos Yushin Okami is declared the winner over Buddy Roberts during UFC 150 at the Pepsi Center in Denver on Sat., Aug. 11, 2012.
• UFC 150 Photos Fans of Yushin Okami celebrate his win during UFC 150 at the Pepsi Center in Denver on Sat., Aug. 11, 2012.
• UFC 150 Photos Justin Lawrence blasts Max Holloway with a right hand during UFC 150 at the Pepsi Center in Denver on Sat., Aug. 11, 2012.
• UFC 150 Photos Max Holloway and Justin Lawrence exchange strikes during UFC 150 at the Pepsi Center in Denver on Sat., Aug. 11, 2012.
• UFC 150 Photos Msx Holloway nearly lands a left high kick on Justin Lawrence during UFC 150 at the Pepsi Center in Denver on Sat., Aug. 11, 2012.
• UFC 150 Photos Justin Lawrence lands a spinning back fist on Max Holloway during UFC 150 at the Pepsi Center in Denver on Sat., Aug. 11, 2012.
• UFC 150 Photos Justin Lawrence lands a jab on Max Holloway during UFC 150 at the Pepsi Center in Denver on Sat., Aug. 11, 2012.
• UFC 150 Photos Max Holloway fires a knee to the ribs of Justin Lawrence during UFC 150 at the Pepsi Center in Denver on Sat., Aug. 11, 2012.
• UFC 150 Photos Max Holloway connects with a left hook on Justin Lawrence during UFC 150 at the Pepsi Center in Denver on Sat., Aug. 11, 2012.
• UFC 150 Photos Max Holloway follows up on a hurt Justin Lawrence during UFC 150 at the Pepsi Center in Denver on Sat., Aug. 11, 2012.
• UFC 150 Photos Max Holloway celebrates his win during UFC 150 at the Pepsi Center in Denver on Sat., Aug. 11, 2012.
• UFC 150 Photos Tommy Hayden and Dennis Bermudez exchange strikes during UFC 150 at the Pepsi Center in Denver on Sat., Aug. 11, 2012.
• UFC 150 Photos Dennis Bermudez gets checked by the commission during UFC 150 at the Pepsi Center in Denver on Sat., Aug. 11, 2012.
• UFC 150 Photos Tommy Harden works for a choke on the back of Dennis Bermudez during UFC 150 at the Pepsi Center in Denver on Sat., Aug. 11, 2012.
• UFC 150 Photos Dennis Bermudez throws bombs from the top during UFC 150 at the Pepsi Center in Denver on Sat., Aug. 11, 2012.
• UFC 150 Photos Dennis Bermudez locks up a guillotine on Tommy Hayden during UFC 150 at the Pepsi Center in Denver on Sat., Aug. 11, 2012.
• UFC 150 Photos Dennis Bermudez celebrates his victory over Tommy Hayden during UFC 150 at the Pepsi Center in Denver on Sat., Aug. 11, 2012.
• UFC 150 Photos Dennis Bermudez during UFC 150 at the Pepsi Center in Denver on Sat., Aug. 11, 2012.
• UFC 150 Photos Dennis Bermudez is declared the winner over Tommy Hayden during UFC 150 at the Pepsi Center in Denver on Sat., Aug. 11, 2012.
• UFC 150 Photos Dennis Bermudez talks to UFC commentator Joe Rogan during UFC 150 at the Pepsi Center in Denver on Sat., Aug. 11, 2012.
• UFC 150 Photos Erik Perez rocks Ken Stone during UFC 150 at the Pepsi Center in Denver on Sat., Aug. 11, 2012.
• UFC 150 Photos Jared Hamman punches Michael Kuiper during UFC 150 at the Pepsi Center in Denver on Sat., Aug. 11, 2012.
• UFC 150 Photos Jared Hamman strikes Michael Kuiper during UFC 150 at the Pepsi Center in Denver on Sat., Aug. 11, 2012.
• UFC 150 Photos Michael Kuiper drops Jared Hamman during UFC 150 at the Pepsi Center in Denver on Sat., Aug. 11, 2012.
• UFC 150 Photos Michael Kuiper finishes Jared Hamman during UFC 150 at the Pepsi Center in Denver on Sat., Aug. 11, 2012.
• UFC 150 Photos Jared Hamman appears to be in pain during UFC 150 at the Pepsi Center in Denver on Sat., Aug. 11, 2012.
• UFC 150 Photos Michael Kuiper celebrates his TKO win during UFC 150 at the Pepsi Center in Denver on Sat., Aug. 11, 2012.
• UFC 150 Photos Erik Perez looks to finish Ken Stone during UFC 150 at the Pepsi Center in Denver on Sat., Aug. 11, 2012.
• UFC 150 Photos Erik Perez looks to finish Ken Stone during UFC 150 at the Pepsi Center in Denver on Sat., Aug. 11, 2012.
• UFC 150 Photos Erik Perez celebrates his win after Ken Stone is pulled off of him during UFC 150 at the Pepsi Center in Denver on Sat., Aug. 11, 2012.
• UFC 150 Photos Erik Perez celebrates his 17-second TKO win during UFC 150 at the Pepsi Center in Denver on Sat., Aug. 11, 2012.
• UFC 150 Photos Erik Perez celebrates his win during UFC 150 at the Pepsi Center in Denver on Sat., Aug. 11, 2012.
• UFC 150 Photos Erik Perez celebrates his win during UFC 150 at the Pepsi Center in Denver on Sat., Aug. 11, 2012.
• UFC 150 Photos Chico Camus battles Dustin Pague on the ground during UFC 150 at the Pepsi Center in Denver on Sat., Aug. 11, 2012.
• UFC 150 Photos Chico Camus battles Dustin Pague on the ground during UFC 150 at the Pepsi Center in Denver on Sat., Aug. 11, 2012.
• UFC 150 Photos Chico Camus elbows Dustin Pague in the face during UFC 150 at the Pepsi Center in Denver on Sat., Aug. 11, 2012.
• UFC 150 Photos Chico Camus celebrates after his fight during UFC 150 at the Pepsi Center in Denver on Sat., Aug. 11, 2012.
• UFC 150 Photos Chico Camus picks up a unanimous decison win during UFC 150 at the Pepsi Center in Denver on Sat., Aug. 11, 2012.
• UFC 150 Photos Chico Camus, second from right, celebrates his win during UFC 150 at the Pepsi Center in Denver on Sat., Aug. 11, 2012.
• UFC 150 Photos Nik Lentz slams Eiji Mitsuoka during UFC 150 at the Pepsi Center in Denver on Sat., Aug. 11, 2012.
• UFC 150 Photos Nik Lentz celebrates his win during UFC 150 at the Pepsi Center in Denver on Sat., Aug. 11, 2012.
• UFC 150 Photos Nik Lentz celebrates his first-round TKO win during UFC 150 at the Pepsi Center in Denver on Sat., Aug. 11, 2012.
• UFC 150 Photos Nik Lentz celebrates his win during UFC 150 at the Pepsi Center in Denver on Sat., Aug. 11, 2012.