UFC on Fox 7 Preview: Benson Henderson vs Gilbert Melendez

UFC on Fox 7 has a stacked card that is going to be main evented by a UFC Light Heavyweight Championship fight between the UFC champ Benson Henderson and Strikeforce champ Gilbert Melendez.

Henderson has been on a roll in the UFC.  He is 6-0 in the UFC and 18-2 overall in his MMA career.  The All American wrestler has defeated Frankie Edgar twice, Nate Diaz, Jim Miller and now has Gilbert Melendez in his sights.

In order to defeat Melendez, Henderson will need to stick with the same strategy he used to win his most recent fights.  In his defeat of Diaz he used a combination of kicks and wrestling.  If he can intensify this strategy Henderson should come out retaining his strap.

Henderson’s wrestling will likely be key.  If he feels he is losing the fight on his feet, he could easily bring the fight to the ground.  Melendez is a good wrestler, as well, but Henderson is the more athletic of the two fighters.

Gilbert Melendez is making an explosive UFC debut against the Lightweight Champion.  Melendez has been on a rampage over in Strikeforce with an overall MMA record of 21-2.

Melendez is a great technical striker and could easily catch Henderson off guard.  Melendez’s jab and hook punches are precise and could easily take down Henderson.

Melendez is also a solid wrestler, however, that will not be his go to strategy.  He will want to keep the fight on his feet as Henderson is deadly when on the ground.  Melendez will try to avoid take downs to stay on his feet and move in for strikes when he can.  Melendez can wrestle, but will not want to risk trying to out wrestler Henderson.

The odds favor Henderson.  The money line is to bet on Henderson is -325.  The money line for Melendez is at +250.