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UFC 144
UFC 144
UFC 144
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UFC 144: Edgar vs. Henderson
The poster for UFC 144: Edgar vs. Henderson
PromotionUltimate Fighting Championship
DateFebruary 26, 2012
VenueSaitama Super Arena
CitySaitama, Japan
Attendance21,000 (paid: 18,000)
Buyrate375,000[1]
Event chronology
UFC on Fuel TV: Sanchez vs. Ellenberger UFC 144: Edgar vs. Henderson UFC on FX: Alves vs. Kampmann

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.[2]

Venue

[edit]

UFC 144 was held at the Saitama Super Arena in the Chūō-ku central ward of Saitama City in Saitama Prefecture. The sellout[3] event was held in the Super Arena's[4] Main Stage Center Arena configuration,[5][6] with a ticket cost of between ¥5,800 and ¥100,000 (ca. US$70 – US$1250).[4]

Background

[edit]

UFC 144 marked the UFC's fifth appearance in Japan, their first event in Japan since UFC 29 in 2000, and its first event in Japan since the 2007 purchase of Pride Fighting Championships, which held many of its cards at Saitama Super Arena. The UFC event featured seven fights on the main card.[7]

George Sotiropoulos was expected to face Takanori Gomi at this event, but was forced out of the bout with an injury and replaced by Eiji Mitsuoka.[8]

Leonard Garcia was expected to face Zhang Tiequan at this event, but was forced out of the bout with an injury.[9] Issei Tamura stepped in for Garcia and fought Zhang.[10]

At the UFC 144 weigh ins, Quinton Jackson failed to make the 206 lb weight limit and came in 5 lbs overweight at 211 lbs. Jackson was fined 20 percent of his earnings and the bout was contested at a catchweight of 211 lb.[11]

Results

[edit]
Main card
Weight class Method Round Time Notes
Lightweight Benson Henderson def Frankie Edgar (c) Decision (unanimous) (49–46, 48–47, 49–46) 5 5:00 [a]
Catchweight (211 lb) Ryan Bader def Quinton Jackson Decision (unanimous) (30–27, 30–27, 30–27) 3 5:00
Heavyweight Mark Hunt def Cheick Kongo TKO (punches) 1 2:11
Welterweight Jake Shields def Yoshihiro Akiyama Decision (unanimous) (30–27, 30–27, 30–27) 3 5:00
Middleweight Tim Boetsch def Yushin Okami TKO (punches) 3 0:54
Featherweight Hatsu Hioki def Bart Palaszewski Decision (unanimous) (30–27, 29–28, 29–28) 3 5:00
Lightweight Anthony Pettis def Joe Lauzon KO (head kick and punches) 1 1:21
Preliminary card (FX)
Lightweight Takanori Gomi def Eiji Mitsuoka TKO (punches) 2 2:21
Bantamweight Vaughan Lee def Norifumi Yamamoto Submission (armbar) 1 4:29
Middleweight Riki Fukuda def Steve Cantwell Decision (unanimous) (29–28, 30–27, 30–27) 3 5:00
Bantamweight Chris Cariaso def Takeya Mizugaki Decision (unanimous) (29–28, 29–28, 29–28) 3 5:00
Preliminary card (Facebook)
Featherweight Issei Tamura def Zhang Tiequan KO (punch) 2 0:32
  1. ^ For the UFC Lightweight Championship.

Bonus awards

[edit]

The following fighters received $65,000 bonuses.[12]

  • Fight of the Night: Frankie Edgar vs. Benson Henderson
  • Knockout of the Night: Anthony Pettis
  • Submission of the Night: Vaughan Lee

See also

[edit]

References

[edit]
Revisions and contributorsEdit on WikipediaRead on Wikipedia

UFC 144

View on Grokipedia
from Grokipedia
UFC 144: vs. Henderson was a event produced by the (UFC) on February 26, 2012, at in Saitama, . It marked the UFC's return to after more than a decade, as the promotion's previous event in the country was in December 2000. The event was headlined by a UFC Lightweight Championship bout between defending champion and top contender , with Henderson capturing the title via unanimous decision (49-46, 48-47, 49-46) after five rounds. The co-main event pitted light heavyweight against , ending in a unanimous decision victory for Bader (30-27 x3). Other notable bouts on the 12-fight card included 's first-round TKO (punches) of at heavyweight, which became one of the event's highlight knockouts; 's third-round TKO (punches) upset of at middleweight, earning Boetsch a subsequent title opportunity; and 's first-round knockout (head kick and punches) of at lightweight. The card also featured Japanese fighters such as , who secured a second-round TKO win over Eiji Mitsuoka at lightweight, and , who defeated Bart Palaszewski by unanimous decision at featherweight. UFC 144 drew a sold-out crowd of 21,000 attendees, including 18,000 paid, and generated a live gate of $3.3 million, while the broadcast reportedly sold 375,000 buys. The event underscored the UFC's expanding global reach, particularly in , and highlighted a mix of international stars and local talent in a high-energy atmosphere at the iconic .

Event Overview

Date and Venue

UFC 144 was held on February 26, 2012, at the in Saitama, . The , a multi-purpose indoor arena with a configurable capacity of up to 22,500 for combat sports events, accommodated approximately 21,000 spectators for UFC 144, marking one of the promotion's largest international attendances at the time. Of these, around 18,000 were paid attendees, contributing to a live gate of over $3.3 million. This event represented the Ultimate Fighting Championship's return to Japan after a 12-year hiatus, the last being UFC 29 in December 2000, and underscored the venue's role as a premier host for major competitions in .

Promotion and Broadcast

UFC 144: Edgar vs. Henderson was marketed by the Ultimate Fighting Championship as a significant return to , representing the promotion's fifth event in the country and its first pay-per-view offering there since in 2000. The event highlighted the UFC's renewed presence in the Japanese market, featuring a mix of international stars and local talent to capitalize on the nation's rich MMA heritage. Promotional efforts included pre-fight press conferences and media appearances emphasizing the lightweight title clash between champion and challenger , alongside bouts involving prominent Japanese fighters like and . The broadcast drew approximately 375,000 purchases, reflecting solid interest despite the event's international location. In , the main card aired live on pay-per-view starting at 10 p.m. ET, featuring seven fights including the headline title bout. Preliminary bouts were broadcast on and , with the initial prelim streamed on Facebook at 7:30 p.m. ET and the FX portion following at 8 p.m. ET, providing accessible entry points for viewers ahead of the main event.

Background

Historical Context

The (UFC) had limited presence in Japan during its early years, hosting its inaugural international event there with UFC Japan: Ultimate Japan 1 in 1997, followed by two more outings before concluding with : Defense of the Belts on December 16, 2000, in . After this hiatus, the Japanese landscape was dominated by (Pride FC), a promotion that had become a cultural phenomenon in the country, drawing massive crowds and showcasing local talent. Pride's success underscored 's status as a key market for the sport, but regulatory challenges and financial issues had previously deterred UFC's sustained involvement. In March 2007, Zuffa LLC, the parent company of the UFC, acquired FC from Dream Stage Entertainment for an estimated $65-70 million, gaining control of its fighter contracts, video library, trademarks, and intellectual property. This purchase was strategically aimed at neutralizing a primary rival and facilitating UFC's re-entry into high-potential markets like , where had built a loyal fanbase. The acquisition marked a pivotal shift, allowing UFC to integrate 's legacy while planning to revive events in , though initial efforts focused on absorbing talent rather than immediate international shows. UFC 144: Edgar vs. Henderson, held on February 26, 2012, at , represented the promotion's triumphant return to after an 11-year absence, signaling the post- era revival of UFC-branded events in the region. To resonate with the local audience, the card prominently featured Japanese fighters such as middleweight contender and welterweight star , both former Pride competitors whose popularity helped bridge the promotion's heritage with UFC's global format. This event stood as a milestone in UFC's broader expansion into , re-establishing the promotion's footprint in a market essential for cultivating international growth and fan engagement.

Pre-Fight Changes and Weigh-Ins

The UFC 144 event experienced several pre-fight alterations due to injuries sustained by scheduled fighters. Australian lightweight George Sotiropoulos was forced to withdraw from his bout against because of an undisclosed injury, with Japanese veteran Eiji Mitsuoka stepping in as his replacement on short notice. Similarly, pulled out of his matchup with Tiequan Zhang due to injury, prompting the debut of Japanese prospect Issei Tamura in his place. These changes finalized the card just weeks before the event, ensuring all bouts proceeded as planned despite the disruptions. Official weigh-ins for UFC 144 occurred on February 24, 2012, at the in Saitama, , drawing a crowd of over 1,000 spectators. All fighters except one successfully made their contracted weight classes. Quinton "Rampage" Jackson, slated for a contest against , came in at 211 pounds—six pounds over the 205-pound limit—necessitating a bout at 211 pounds. As a result, Jackson forfeited 20 percent of his fight purse as a fine to Bader, though the matchup remained intact.

Results

Main Card

The main card of UFC 144 consisted of seven bouts broadcast on , headlined by a championship fight. All outcomes are as follows, listed in reverse order of occurrence. Championship: vs. (c)
defeated via after five rounds (5:00 each). (211 lb): vs. Quinton "Rampage" Jackson
defeated Quinton Jackson via after three rounds (5:00 each); Jackson weighed in at 211 pounds, exceeding the limit. Heavyweight: vs.
defeated via TKO (punches) at 2:11 of the first round. Welterweight: vs.
defeated via unanimous decision after three rounds (5:00 each). Middleweight: vs.
defeated via TKO (punches) at 0:54 of the third round. Featherweight: vs. Bart Palaszewski
defeated Bart Palaszewski via unanimous decision after three rounds (5:00 each). Lightweight: vs.
defeated via KO (head kick and punches) at 1:21 of the first round.

Preliminary Card

The preliminary card for UFC 144 featured five bouts, four of which were broadcast on and one on , showcasing a mix of Japanese home favorites and international talent in , bantamweight, and middleweight divisions. Due to pre-fight injuries, Eiji Mitsuoka stepped in as a replacement for George Sotiropoulos against , while Issei Tamura replaced in the featherweight matchup with Zhang Tiequan. In the FX-televised opener, former Pride FC champion overcame an early onslaught from Eiji to secure a TKO victory via punches at 2:21 of the second round, marking a gritty comeback win in his home country. Next, Britain's Vaughan Lee made quick work of Japanese veteran Norifumi "Kid" Yamamoto, submitting him with an armbar at 4:29 of the first round in a clash that highlighted Lee's prowess. The bout saw Riki Fukuda outpoint Steve Cantwell via (30-27, 30-27, 29-28) after three rounds, relying on superior striking and takedown defense to control the fight. Closing the FX portion, edged by (29-28, 29-28, 29-28) in a competitive affair decided by effective pressure and volume. On the Facebook-streamed preliminary, Japanese featherweight Issei Tamura stunned Zhang Tiequan with a clean punch at 0:32 of the second round, earning a memorable UFC debut victory.
FightResultMethodRound/Time
vs. Eiji Mitsuoka ()Gomi def. MitsuokaTKO (punches)2 / 2:21
Vaughan Lee vs. ()Lee def. YamamotoSubmission (armbar)1 / 4:29
Riki Fukuda vs. Steve Cantwell ()Fukuda def. CantwellUnanimous decision (30-27, 30-27, 29-28)3 / 5:00
vs. ()Cariaso def. MizugakiUnanimous decision (29-28, 29-28, 29-28)3 / 5:00
Issei Tamura vs. Zhang Tiequan ()Tamura def. ZhangKO (punch)2 / 0:32

Post-Event

Bonus Awards

At UFC 144, the Ultimate Fighting Championship awarded performance-based bonuses to recognize outstanding efforts by the fighters, with each recipient earning $65,000 in addition to their base pay. The Fight of the Night bonus went to the lightweight title bout between champion Frankie Edgar and challenger Benson Henderson, a closely contested five-round war that showcased their technical prowess and resilience. Anthony Pettis received the Knockout of the Night for his spectacular head kick that finished in the first round of their preliminary bout. Vaughan Lee earned the Submission of the Night honor for his first-round armbar submission victory over Norifumi "Kid" in a preliminary fight.

Aftermath and Impact

Benson Henderson's victory over Frankie Edgar via unanimous decision in the main event marked the end of Edgar's two-year reign as UFC Lightweight Champion, with Henderson capturing the title in a closely contested five-round bout remembered for its intensity and back-and-forth action. This triumph propelled Henderson into a successful title defense streak, where he retained the belt three times—against Edgar in a rematch at UFC 148, Nate Diaz at UFC on Fox: Henderson vs. Diaz, and Gilbert Melendez at UFC 164—before losing it to Anthony Pettis via controversial unanimous decision at UFC 167. The event also had significant ripple effects on several fighters' trajectories. Ryan Bader's unanimous decision win over Quinton "Rampage" Jackson provided a marquee victory that revitalized his career momentum following prior setbacks, positioning him as a consistent contender in the light heavyweight division with subsequent wins over opponents like . Mark Hunt's first-round knockout of initiated a remarkable late-career knockout surge for the former K-1 champion, contributing to a four-fight winning streak that included a standout victory over ; Hunt later added further knockout wins, including over Antonio Silva, leading to a title challenge against Fabricio Werdum at UFC 187. Similarly, Tim Boetsch's third-round TKO upset of former title challenger , despite being dominated in the early rounds, elevated Boetsch to contender status, earning him a shot at champion at UFC 149. UFC 144's success, drawing a sold-out crowd of 21,000 at and generating approximately 375,000 pay-per-view buys, underscored the promotion's viability in and reinforced its commitment to expanding in . The event's strong performance prompted UFC officials to plan annual returns to the region, leading to subsequent cards like UFC on Fuel TV 8 in 2013 and further solidifying international growth, including events across . Performances by Japanese fighters were mixed, with wins for , , Riki Fukuda, and Issei Tamura offset by losses from Okami and , highlighting both local talent and areas for development without sparking major controversies.

References

  1. https://www.sherdog.com/events/UFC-144-Edgar-vs-Henderson-18347
  2. https://mmajunkie.usatoday.com/2011/11/ufc-144-lineup-set-with-kongo-hunt-mizugaki-cariaso-gomi-sotiropoulos-others
  3. https://www.sherdog.com/news/news/UFC-144-Edgar-vs-Henderson-Results-and-PlaybyPlay-40111
  4. https://www.tapology.com/fightcenter/events/11293-ufc-144
  5. https://www.ufc.com/news/ufc-japan-tickets-now-sale
  6. https://jp.ufc.com/news/final-bout-set-ufc-144
  7. https://www.ufc.com/news/numbers-biggest-and-best
  8. https://www.si.com/more-sports/2012/02/21/ufc-144-viewers-guide
  9. https://bleacherreport.com/articles/1075477-ufc-144-edgar-vs-henderson-live-streaming-pre-fight-press-conference-video
  10. https://bleacherreport.com/articles/1087025-report-ufc-144-with-edgar-vs-henderson-does-375000-pay-per-view-buys
  11. https://www.mmafighting.com/2011/11/28/156590/ufc-144-fight-card-edgar-vs-henderson
  12. https://mmajunkie.usatoday.com/story/sports/ufc/2012/02/18/ufc-144s-12-bout-lineup-finalized-with-fx-facebook-prelim-broadcasts/82501117007/
  13. https://www.espn.com/sports/news/story?id=2814235
  14. https://www.sportsbusinessjournal.com/Daily/Issues/2007/03/27/Leagues-Governing-Bodies/UFC-Acquires-Pride-Fighting-In-Multimillion-Dollar-Deal/
  15. https://bleacherreport.com/articles/1061161-ufc-144-edgar-vs-henderson-8-reasons-to-be-excited-for-ufcs-return-to-japan
  16. https://www.mmafighting.com/2012/2/23/2818966/mma-pioneers-from-the-last-ufc-event-in-japan-look-back-on-strange
  17. https://www.mmafighting.com/f/2013/1/2/3826788/the-complete-list-of-ufc-injuries-and-card-changes-for-2012
  18. https://bleacherreport.com/articles/1224918-ufc-fights-lost-to-injury-in-the-first-6-months-of-2012
  19. https://mmajunkie.usatoday.com/2012/02/ufc-144-live-and-official-weigh-in-results
  20. https://www.mmafighting.com/ufc/2012/2/24/2822889/ufc-144-weigh-in-results-edgar-vs-henderson
  21. https://lasvegassun.com/news/2012/feb/24/rampage-jackson-misses-weight-ufc-144-blames-it-tr/
  22. https://mmajunkie.usatoday.com/2012/02/ufc-144s-rampage-blames-injury-for-missing-weight-takes-issue-with-franklin
  23. https://www.sportsnet.ca/more/ufc144-weighins-rampage-misses-weight/?sn-amp
  24. https://www.ufc.com/event/ufc-144
  25. https://www.ufc.com/news/official-ufc-144-weigh-results
  26. https://mmajunkie.usatoday.com/2012/02/ufc-144-bonuses-awards
  27. https://www.mmamania.com/2012/2/26/2825266/ufc-144-bonuses-and-awards-for-edgar-vs-henderson-in-japan
  28. https://www.mmafighting.com/ufc/2012/2/26/2825273/ufc-144-bonuses-edgar-vs-henderson-is-fight-of-night
  29. https://www.ufc.com/news/ufc-144-main-event-results-bendo-defeats-edgar-classic-wins-155-pound-crown
  30. https://www.mmafighting.com/2012/2/26/2825200/ufc-144-results-ben-henderson-beats-frankie-edgar
  31. https://www.ufc.com/news/ufc-lightweight-title-lineage-khabib-mcgregor-penn-poirier-oliveira
  32. https://dynamicstriking.com/blogs/fighters/benson-henderson
  33. https://bleacherreport.com/articles/1078208-ufc-144-results-ryan-bader-gets-first-marquee-win-vs-rampage-jackson
  34. https://www.espn.com/blog/mma/post/_/id/6561/bader-faces-career-defining-test-in-rampage
  35. https://mmajunkie.usatoday.com/2012/02/ufc-144-results-cheick-kongo-vs-mark-hunt
  36. https://mmajunkie.usatoday.com/story/sports/ufc/2012/02/25/ufc-144-results-tim-boetsch-vs-yushin-okami/82500734007/
  37. https://bloodyelbow.com/2012/02/25/ufc-144-results-tim-boetsch-upsets-yushin-okami-in-the-third-round/
  38. https://mmajunkie.usatoday.com/2012/02/ufc-officials-expect-ufc-144-sellout-already-considering-annual-returns-to-japan
  39. https://www.ufc.com/news/ufc-144-main-card-results-bader-stuns-rampage-memorable-main-card
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