Guida-Henderson lightweight bout not part of UFC’s Fox telecast

LOS ANGELES -- One of the most anticipated UFC lightweight fights of the year will take place Saturday in Anaheim, Calif., part of a card almost certain to be viewed by the biggest TV audience ever for a mixed martial arts event.

The bout has been lost in the shuffle, however, with Fox and the Ultimate Fighting Championship agreeing to air only one fight on the prime-time telecast, the main event heavyweight title matchup between champion Cain Velasquez and challenger Junior dos Santos.

Ben Henderson will meet Clay Guida in a lightweight fight that probably will determine the next challenger to Frankie Edgar's title. Henderson said the powers that be will be forced to find a spot on the one-hour Fox broadcast because his bout with Guida will be so entertaining.

"Someway, somehow, this fight will make it to air," Henderson said during an open workout Thursday. "(UFC president) Dana White will want this fight on prime-time television after he sees it. He'll be like, 'Oh, wow, we need to get this on TV.' I'm going to make sure of that."

White insists that's not going to happen, with Fox planning to focus solely on the heavyweight title fight in the launch of a seven-year partnership between the network and the world's largest MMA organization.

Henderson moved to the UFC this year when the organization absorbed World Extreme Cagefighting, and he has won both of his fights in exciting fashion. He admits he feels slighted by being left out of the network broadcast plans.

"If it is frustrating, I will let those frustrations out inside the octagon," Henderson said, smiling and nodding.

Guida also hopes to channel the snub into positive energy.

"I wouldn't say it's a disappointment; it motivates me even more," Guida said. "It's a historic event, and I'm very excited to be a part of it."

Each fighter could solidify headlining status for his next fight with an impressive victory Saturday.

Henderson, 27, was the WEC lightweight champion before losing the belt to Anthony Pettis in December in the final fight in WEC history and one of the best fights of 2010.

He bolstered his profile with a win over Mark Bocek in his UFC debut in April and a surprisingly dominant performance in snapping the seven-fight winning streak of Jim Miller in August.

Guida, 29, has transformed himself from a scrapper who was always involved in thrilling fights with mixed results into an elite fighter who also puts on a great show. He has won four straight under the tutelage of famed trainer Greg Jackson.

Edgar is expected to be sitting cage-side to watch the fight that probably will determine his next challenger.

"(Edgar) better bring a pen and paper so (he) can take notes," Henderson said.

While the fight between Henderson and Guida will not be part of the Fox broadcast, it will stream live on Facebook with the rest of the undercard. The bout also will be part of a live three-fight Spanish broadcast on Fox Deportes (Cable 140) at 4 p.m.

Henderson said he is excited about the Fox deal and what it can mean to the UFC and MMA in general.

Never lacking confidence, Henderson thinks he will get his opportunity to boost his profile by fighting in a headlining role on network TV.

"Give me another year," he said. "I'll be there."

Contact reporter Adam Hill at ahill@reviewjournal.com or 702-224-5509. Follow him on Twitter: @adamhilllvrj.