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[Tadd]

After negotiating a new eight-fight extension, Benson Henderson appears poised to accept his next marching orders in the form of a highly anticipated champion vs. champion matchup.

According to sources with knowledge of the situation, the UFC has its sights set on April 20's UFC on FOX 7 event to pair UFC lightweight titleholder Henderson against Strikeforce's last reigning divisional champion, Gilbert Melendez.

The event is likely to take place in Melendez's backyard, at the HP Pavilion in San Jose, California, where he competed eight times while on the Strikeforce roster. That promotion went out of business after last Saturday night's event.

Henderson (18-2) has shot up the world's pound-for-pound rankings since defeating Frankie Edgar for the belt last February and successfully defending it twice. Most recently, he dominated Melendez's teammate Nate Diaz in a lopsided unanimous decision victory at UFC on FOX 5.

Melendez (21-2) has been for a long time considered among the top fighters never to appear in the octagon. The two-time Strikeforce 155-pound champion currently boasts a seven-fight win streak, although he has been shelved since a decision win over Josh Thomson last May. Melendez was twice expected to face Pat Healy in recent months but was forced to withdraw due to lingering shoulder problems. If he fights Henderson in April, it will amount to an 11-month layoff.

According to sources, there are still potential roadblocks to the Henderson vs. Melendez that could force the organization to take a different path, but that matchup is the organization's intended direction.

Just last week, it was reported that coveted free agent Eddie Alvarez could find himself fighting for the UFC championship in his promotional debut, but legal wrangling between Alvarez and Bellator over his UFC offer sheet and Bellator matching rights have stalled his career for the time being.

UFC on FOX 7 targeted for Benson Henderson vs. Gilbert Melendez lightweight title fight - MMA Fighting

[MMA4EVERRR]

I like the matchup but I'm kinda uneasy with Gil getting the immediate title shot. I believe he made the injury excuse up, or was told to, to avoid the Pat Healy matchup, so that he doesn't risk losing the fight.

After coming off a few lackluster performances, I think he needs one good win before he fights for the title, and that opponent should be Healy.

[H0SS]

Originally Posted by MMA4EVERRR

I like the matchup but I'm kinda uneasy with Gil getting the immediate title shot. I believe he made the injury excuse up, or was told to, to avoid the Pat Healy matchup, so that he doesn't risk losing the fight.

After coming off a few lackluster performances, I think he needs one good win before he fights for the title, and that opponent should be Healy.

I thought he lost the last Thompson fight, and I also thought he made up that injury excuse to avoid the Healy fight.

[ckauffman28]

yeah i had thomson winning that fight... still think Bendo will dominate

[kalebarker]

Originally Posted by MMA4EVERRR

I like the matchup but I'm kinda uneasy with Gil getting the immediate title shot. I believe he made the injury excuse up, or was told to, to avoid the Pat Healy matchup, so that he doesn't risk losing the fight.

After coming off a few lackluster performances, I think he needs one good win before he fights for the title, and that opponent should be Healy.

A win over Healy does nothing to make his title shot any more or less legitimate. If he had to take another fight it should be against a higher tier opponent. Miller, Winner of Diego and Gomi, Pettis, Cerrone.

[xdevilhawk138x]

I also had Thomson winning the fight if he had a hard time with Thomson the last fight then hes gonna have a huge problem with a tireless Bendo not to mention his 11 month layoff. I have Bendo with a decision

[Cat--Smasher]

Originally Posted by xdevilhawk138x

I have Bendo with a decision

Could you have Bendo any other way?


Wait, Bendo will lose his next fight because they will force him to fight without his lucky toothpick.

[Fe1]

Poor Gilbert. He's going to have a bad time with this one. He's not going to be able to "avenge" Nate's loss and he'll have to stop calling himself the best lightweight in the world.

[AnchorPunch]

Originally Posted by Cat--Smasher

Could you have Bendo any other way?


Wait, Bendo will lose his next fight because they will force him to fight without his lucky toothpick.

Oh snap!

It's interesting that he didn't really become a decision king until after joining the UFC. And his WEC competition is doing well, so I don't think you can blame a step up in competition. Hoping this is just a transition in his fighting style and he gets the subs back. Doubt he'll ever have KO power though.

[MetallicKnight3X]

We can all say Gilbert didn't show up and blah blah blah.. but in all reality, who would be next in line?? Unless I'm drawing a blank here no Lightweight has really come out with flying colors to claim that #1 contender spot. So why not? Hell to me I think whoever wins that Cerrone/Pettis fight should fight Alvarez for that contender spot if they can get him signed and let Melendez and Hendo duke it out.