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UFC 144: Edgar vs. Henderson was a mixed martial arts pay-per-view event held by the Ultimate Fighting Championship on February 26, 2012, at the Saitama Super Arena in Saitama, Japan.
The main event of UFC 144 featured a lightweight title fight between defending champion Frankie Edgar and challenger Ben Henderson.
Edgar landed a low kick early and then caught a kick from Henderson. As he backed Henderson down holding the leg, Henderson jumped up with a high kick that narrowly sailed over the head of Edgar. Edgar tripped Henderson down the ground but they quickly were back up. Three more times Edgar caught a low kick from Henderson and then let go. Henderson landed several kicks and a knee late in the round, while Edgar was able to briefly land a takedown and almost get around to Henderson's back.
A small welt had formed underneath the left eye of Edgar as the second round began. Henderson continued attacking with kicks and the size advantage for Henderson was significant. Edgar caught several more of the kicks in an unusual pattern to the fight. Edgar tripped Henderson to the ground and worked for a headlock before transitioning to the back, where Henderson escaped back to his feet. Henderson's striking looked to be more effective but again Edgar shot in for a takedown, this time working from within Henderson's guard and landing some ground and pound. Henderson landed a mean up-kick that sent Edgar backward. Henderson dove on top and attacked for a choke but there was no time left in the round. As Edgar walked back to his corner, blood streamed from a cut on the bridge of his nose.
Edgar's nose poured blood but it didn't deter the champion from landing a good combination early in the fourth round. Henderson defended a takedown easily and landed a knee in a furious exchange. Henderson got his hands around Edgar and pulled him down, but Edgar scrambled up quickly. A series of exciting grappling sequences didn't see either fighter take control in the third round. Edgar landed a takedown at the end of the round but Henderson was already making his way back to his feet at the horn.
Edgar landed a nice combination a minute into the fourth, but he was then caught with a kick to the groin. Edgar dove in for a takedown midway through the round but was caught in a deep guillotine choke. He escaped the choke after a tense moment and Henderson was soon back up to standing again. The remainder of the round saw both fighters landing but Henderson appeared to be the more fit and confident fighter.
Edgar landed a big right hand in the fifth round followed by another soon after. Henderson landed a solid punch of his own. The fifth round continued with a highly technical display and excellent action. Judging based on appearances alone Henderson looked to be the victor, but Edgar had several good moments of his own in what was a closely contested match.
The judges scored the bout 49-46, 48-47, and 49-46 all in favor of the winner, Ben Henderson, the new UFC lightweight champion.