UFC 150
UFC 150: Henderson vs. Edgar 2 was a mixed martial arts event produced by the Ultimate Fighting Championship (UFC) that took place on August 11, 2012, at the Pepsi Center in Denver, Colorado.[1] The event marked the UFC's return to Denver since UFC 135 in 2011 and featured a lightweight championship rematch in the main event between defending champion Benson Henderson and former champion Frankie Edgar, along with a co-main lightweight bout between Donald Cerrone and Melvin Guillard.[2] It drew an official attendance of 13,027 spectators, generating a live gate of $619,955, and was broadcast on pay-per-view following prelims on FX and Facebook.[3] In the main event, Henderson retained his UFC Lightweight Championship via split decision (48-47, 48-47, 46-49) over five rounds against Edgar, in a closely contested rematch of their UFC 144 fight where Henderson had previously won the title.[1] The co-main event saw hometown favorite Cerrone secure a stunning first-round knockout victory over Guillard at 1:16 via a head kick, earning him both the Fight of the Night and Knockout of the Night bonuses worth $60,000 each, while Guillard received the Fight of the Night award for $60,000.[4] Other notable results included a second-round TKO win for Yushin Okami over Buddy Roberts, Max Holloway's second-round knockout of Justin Lawrence in a featherweight bout, and Dennis Bermudez's first-round guillotine choke submission of Tommy Hayden, which earned him the Submission of the Night bonus for $60,000.[1] A middleweight bout between Jake Shields and Ed Herman went the full distance, with Shields earning a unanimous decision victory that was later overturned to a no contest after Shields tested positive for a banned substance.[2] The event's undercard featured quick finishes and decisions across bantamweight, middleweight, and lightweight divisions, highlighting emerging talents like Holloway, who was on the cusp of his future stardom, and Bermudez, bolstering the UFC's lightweight and featherweight ranks.[1] UFC 150 underscored the promotion's growing popularity at high-altitude venues like Denver, with the main event rematch drawing significant interest as Henderson aimed to solidify his reign following his title win earlier that year.[5]Event Overview
Date and Venue
UFC 150 took place on August 11, 2012, at the Pepsi Center in Denver, Colorado, United States.[2][6] The arena, which has since been renamed Ball Arena, served as the host for this mixed martial arts event promoted by the Ultimate Fighting Championship.[7] The event's broadcast schedule followed the standard UFC format at the time, with the main card airing on pay-per-view starting at 10:00 PM EDT.[8] Preliminary bouts were streamed on Facebook beginning at 7:30 PM EDT, followed by additional prelims on FX at 8:00 PM EDT.[9][10] These timings accounted for the Eastern Daylight Time zone, providing viewers across the United States with sequential access to the full card. Denver's elevation of 5,280 feet above sea level, earning it the nickname "Mile High City," introduced unique logistical challenges due to the thinner air and reduced oxygen levels.[11] Fighters often arrived early to acclimate, as the altitude could impair cardiovascular performance and endurance, potentially affecting stamina during bouts.[12] This environmental factor has been noted in prior UFC events in the city, prompting preparation strategies like altitude training simulations.[13]Promotion and Attendance
UFC 150 was promoted by the Ultimate Fighting Championship (UFC), the premier mixed martial arts organization, as the 150th event in its numbered series.[6] Held at the Pepsi Center in Denver, Colorado, the event exemplified UFC's standard production values, featuring high-quality broadcast elements and sponsorship integrations typical of the promotion's major pay-per-view offerings.[3] The event drew a total attendance of 13,027 spectators, including 8,224 paid attendees, generating a live gate revenue of $619,955.[3] This turnout reflected solid commercial interest in the lightweight title rematch headlining the card, contributing to UFC's ongoing expansion in the North American market during the early 2010s. The pay-per-view broadcast achieved an estimated 190,000 buys, underscoring the event's appeal to a global audience via traditional cable distribution.[6] Production for UFC 150 followed UFC's established format, with English-language commentary provided by play-by-play announcer Mike Goldberg and color commentator Joe Rogan, who delivered analysis throughout the main card on pay-per-view.[6] Preliminary bouts aired on FX with the same broadcast team, while ring announcements were handled by Bruce Buffer, ensuring a professional and engaging presentation consistent with UFC's brand standards. Sponsorships, including prominent branding from partners like Bud Light and Harley-Davidson, were integrated into the event's visuals and programming to enhance viewer immersion.[14]Background
Main Event Development
The main event of UFC 150 pitted UFC Lightweight Champion Benson Henderson against former champion Frankie Edgar in a rematch for the title. Scheduled for August 11, 2012, at the Pepsi Center in Denver, Colorado, the lightweight championship bout was positioned as a pivotal clash between two elite competitors vying to solidify their legacies in the division.[2] This fight served as the sequel to their February 26, 2012, encounter at UFC 144 in Saitama, Japan, where Henderson dethroned Edgar via unanimous decision (49-46, 48-47, 48-47) in a razor-close five-round war that sparked widespread debate over the scoring, with many observers believing Edgar had done enough to retain his belt.[15] The controversial nature of that outcome fueled calls for an immediate rematch, granting Edgar a swift opportunity to reclaim the title he had held since defeating B.J. Penn at UFC 112 in April 2010. Prior to the loss at UFC 144, Edgar had made three successful defenses, including a unanimous decision over Penn at UFC 118, a majority draw with Gray Maynard at UFC 125 (title retained), and a knockout win over Maynard at UFC 136.[16][17] Entering UFC 150, Henderson carried a professional record of 16-2, undefeated in the UFC at 7-0, marking his first defense as champion after a dominant run that included victories over Mark Bocek, Anthony Pettis, and Edgar. Edgar, meanwhile, entered with a 14-2-1 mark (8-2-1 UFC), emphasizing his resilience as a fighter who had never lost consecutive bouts and was determined to become the first to defeat Henderson in the Octagon. The promotional narrative centered on Edgar's quest for redemption after his storied reign, contrasted with Henderson's emergence as a versatile champion building on his momentum.[18][17][19] Pre-fight media coverage highlighted the stylistic matchup, pitting Henderson's dynamic striking, reach advantage, and athletic grappling against Edgar's relentless pace, crisp boxing, and superior wrestling credentials. Analysts noted Edgar's history of overcoming adversity in title fights, such as his comebacks against Maynard, while praising Henderson's ability to mix unorthodox kicks and knees with ground control to neutralize opponents. The hype positioned the rematch as a potential Fight of the Year candidate, underscoring the high stakes for both fighters in a division renowned for its depth.[16][19]Card Adjustments and Weigh-Ins
The UFC 150 card underwent several adjustments in the weeks leading up to the event on August 11, 2012, primarily due to injuries that forced fighter withdrawals and replacements.[20] In June 2012, light heavyweight Luiz Cane withdrew from his scheduled middleweight bout against Yushin Okami due to an undisclosed injury, prompting the UFC to seek a replacement.[20] Rousimar Palhares stepped in on short notice to face Okami, but on July 25, 2012, Palhares was forced to scratch from the fight after suffering a knee injury during training, leading to further lineup changes.[21] Buddy Roberts was ultimately announced as Palhares's replacement against Okami, marking the third opponent for the Japanese fighter in this slot.[22] These shifts finalized the event's roster without additional major disruptions.[22] The official weigh-ins took place on August 10, 2012, at the Pepsi Center in Denver, Colorado, where all fighters except one successfully made their contracted weight classes.[23] Melvin Guillard missed the lightweight limit of 156 pounds, coming in at 157.5 pounds for his co-main event bout against Donald Cerrone; as a result, he was fined 10% of his fight purse, which was awarded to Cerrone, and the matchup proceeded at a catchweight.[23][24] The remaining competitors, including lightweight title contenders Benson Henderson and Frankie Edgar, complied with their respective divisions' requirements, setting the stage for the pay-per-view event.[23]| Bout | Fighter 1 (Weight) | Fighter 2 (Weight) |
|---|---|---|
| Main Card | ||
| Lightweight Championship | Benson Henderson (154.4 lbs) | Frankie Edgar (154.6 lbs) |
| Lightweight Catchweight | Donald Cerrone (155 lbs) | Melvin Guillard (157.5 lbs)* |
| Middleweight | Jake Shields (185 lbs) | Ed Herman (185 lbs) |
| Middleweight | Yushin Okami (185 lbs) | Buddy Roberts (184 lbs) |
| Featherweight | Justin Lawrence (145 lbs) | Max Holloway (145 lbs) |
| Preliminary Card (FX) | ||
| Featherweight | Dennis Bermudez (145 lbs) | Tommy Hayden (144 lbs) |
| Middleweight | Jared Hamman (184 lbs) | Michael Kuiper (185 lbs) |
| Bantamweight | Ken Stone (135 lbs) | Erik Perez (135 lbs) |
| Bantamweight | Dustin Pague (136 lbs) | Chico Camus (135 lbs) |
| Preliminary Card (Facebook) | ||
| Featherweight | Nik Lentz (145 lbs) | Eiji Mitsuoka (145 lbs) |
Fight Card
Main Card Bouts
The main card for UFC 150 featured five bouts under the Unified Rules of Mixed Martial Arts, with the headline fight scheduled for five rounds and the others for three rounds each.[2] The lightweight championship rematch pitted defending champion Benson Henderson (16-2), who had won the title earlier in the year via unanimous decision over Frankie Edgar, against former champion Edgar (11-2-1) in a highly anticipated rubber match following their competitive first encounter at UFC 144.[2] In the co-main event, lightweight contenders Donald Cerrone (18-4), a durable striker on a five-fight win streak in the division, faced Melvin Guillard (30-10-2), known for his knockout power and seeking to solidify his position among the elite lightweights.[6] A middleweight clash saw Jake Shields (27-6-1), dropping down from welterweight after a loss, take on Ed Herman (18-8), a veteran grappler looking to capitalize on home-state support in Denver.[6] Another middleweight bout featured Yushin Okami (27-7), a former title challenger aiming to rebound from recent defeats, against newcomer Buddy Roberts (12-2), who earned his UFC spot through The Ultimate Fighter.[6] Rounding out the main card was a featherweight matchup between rising prospect Max Holloway (5-1), the youngest fighter on the roster at age 20, and undefeated local Justin Lawrence (5-0), both vying for early momentum in the division.[6] All main card fighters made weight at the official weigh-ins held on August 10, 2012, with no reported issues.| Bout | Weight Class | Fighters (Record) |
|---|---|---|
| Main Event: Championship | Lightweight (155 lbs) | Benson Henderson (16-2) vs. Frankie Edgar (11-2-1) |
| Co-Main Event | Lightweight (155 lbs) | Donald Cerrone (18-4) vs. Melvin Guillard (30-10-2) |
| Middleweight (185 lbs) | Jake Shields (27-6-1) vs. Ed Herman (18-8) | |
| Middleweight (185 lbs) | Yushin Okami (27-7) vs. Buddy Roberts (12-2) | |
| Featherweight (145 lbs) | Max Holloway (5-1) vs. Justin Lawrence (5-0) |
Preliminary Card Bouts
The preliminary card for UFC 150 consisted of eight bouts, providing a mix of established contenders and promising prospects across multiple weight classes. These fights served as the undercard to the main event rematch between Benson Henderson and Frankie Edgar, showcasing up-and-coming talent and veterans looking to climb the rankings. The lineup was divided into two broadcast segments: three opening contests streamed on Facebook starting at 7:00 p.m. ET, followed by five bouts on FX beginning at 8:00 p.m. ET, before transitioning to the main card on pay-per-view. Several matchups were affected by injuries and last-minute adjustments earlier in the year. For instance, a planned lightweight bout between Thiago Tavares and Dennis Hallman was relocated to UFC 151, while other changes included the addition of middleweight and bantamweight clashes to fill gaps from withdrawals. The Facebook portion opened with a lightweight matchup between Nik Lentz, a durable grappler returning after a layoff, and Eiji Mitsuoka, a Japanese veteran making his UFC debut. This was followed by a bantamweight contest featuring Chico Camus, a technical striker from Team Alpha Male, against Dustin Pague, known for his aggressive wrestling style. Closing the Facebook stream was a middleweight bout pitting Michael Kuiper, a knockout artist with a kickboxing background, against Jared Hamman, a seasoned fighter seeking to rebound from recent losses.[26] Transitioning to FX, the preliminary headliner was a lightweight clash between Jamie Varner, a former WEC champion aiming to revitalize his career, and Joe Lauzon, a fan-favorite submission specialist and UFC veteran. Preceding that, featherweight prospects Dennis Bermudez, an undefeated wrestler from The Ultimate Fighter, faced Tommy Hayden, following adjustments to the original matchup. In bantamweight action, Alex Caceres, a creative fighter nicknamed "Bruce Leeroy," took on Yves Jabouin, a Canadian with a strong judo base. Another lightweight bout featured Daron Cruickshank, a rising star with Muay Thai expertise, versus Henry Martinez, a TUF alum looking to build momentum. The FX opener was a bantamweight matchup between Erik Perez, a powerful striker with a wrestling pedigree, and Ken Stone, an Alaskan fighter emphasizing submissions.[27]| Broadcast | Weight Class | Fighters |
|---|---|---|
| Lightweight | Nik Lentz vs. Eiji Mitsuoka | |
| Bantamweight | Chico Camus vs. Dustin Pague | |
| Middleweight | Michael Kuiper vs. Jared Hamman | |
| FX | Bantamweight | Erik Perez vs. Ken Stone |
| FX | Lightweight | Daron Cruickshank vs. Henry Martinez |
| FX | Bantamweight | Alex Caceres vs. Yves Jabouin |
| FX | Featherweight | Dennis Bermudez vs. Tommy Hayden |
| FX | Lightweight | Jamie Varner vs. Joe Lauzon |
Results and Highlights
Championship Outcome
In the main event of UFC 150, lightweight champion Benson Henderson defended his title against Frankie Edgar in a highly anticipated rematch.[29] After five grueling rounds, Henderson retained his championship via split decision, with judges scoring the bout 49-46 for Edgar and 48-47 twice for Henderson.[30] The decision drew significant controversy, as the crowd at the Pepsi Center heavily booed the announcement, and media outlets widely debated the close scoring.[31] The fight showcased contrasting styles, with Henderson relying on damaging leg kicks to slow Edgar early and maintain top control in striking exchanges, while Edgar applied relentless pressure through forward movement, takedown attempts, and volume striking to close the distance.[32] Henderson's kicks visibly impaired Edgar's mobility, particularly in the later rounds, allowing the champion to dictate the pace on the feet despite Edgar's success in grappling.[33] Key moments included Edgar's knockdown of Henderson in the fourth round via a sharp combination and Henderson's near-submission attempt with a guillotine choke in the fifth.[30] Official UFC statistics highlighted the razor-thin margin, underscoring the fight's competitiveness.[29]| Category | Benson Henderson | Frankie Edgar |
|---|---|---|
| Significant Strikes | 64 of 167 (38%) | 66 of 182 (36%) |
| Total Strikes | 67 of 170 | 70 of 186 |
| Takedowns | 0 of 1 (0%) | 2 of 6 (33%) |
| Submission Attempts | 1 | 2 |
| Control Time | 0:07 | 2:59 |