Fans are still buzzing over the controversial UFC 150 main-event, but as far as the mixed martial arts business is concerned, Benson Henderson is the winner and his next UFC Lightweight Championship defense will be against Nate Diaz, not UFC 150 challenger Frankie Edgar.
Those wondering how the judging panel arrived at its decision are advised to evaluate the fourth round of the championship bout. The two judges who scored the fight 48-47 for Henderson, who won via split decision, gave Henderson that round (along with the less-controversial rounds one and three) in declaring him the victor.
In grading the fight, most industry analysts gave Henderson a clear win for the first round and Edgar a clear win for the second round. The final three rounds were disputable, but a common critical scorecard (including Headline Planet’s card) gave Henderson the third round and Edgar the final two.
The deciding judges, however, felt round four actually went to Henderson. And with rounds one and three in the bag for the Champion, that fourth round was enough to seal his victory.
Like Tony Weeks, the UFC 150 judge who ruled in favor of Edgar (he gave Edgar the latter four rounds), the other judges felt Edgar claimed the second and fifth rounds.
