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Henderson open to Edgar rematch

Ben Henderson has plenty of options for his next fight © Getty Images

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Ben Henderson says he is willing to give the vanquished Frankie Edgar a rematch, but has warned his next opponent he is going to "smash" whoever is in his way.

Henderson relieved Edgar of his lightweight crown at UFC 144 in Japan, taking his rival's title by a unanimous verdict, and many have called for a rematch after such a compelling contest in Japan.

UFC president Dana White has advised Edgar to drop down to featherweight but the former lightweight champion has ignored White's recommendation in favour of staying at 155lbs.

And Edgar, who says he has "earned" the chance to have another crack at Henderson, may now get his wish of a rematch after the man who beat him opened the door for a second fight.

Henderson told The MMA Hour: "Frankie had a very tough situation. He had a rough road with two rematches right away after his title defences. So the fan in me feels that he deserves [the rematch]. He had to put himself on the line, I don't want anybody coming back to me and saying 'oh, Henderson didn't want to rematch Frankie because he was scared.'

"I'm more than willing to give Frankie a rematch. Let's do it. Set it up for tomorrow. Hopefully people will start to realise and understand, I will fight anybody. I don't care. I'm going to smash them."

One man that Henderson is unlikely to face is Anthony Pettis, who is undeserving of a title shot, according to the newly-crowned lightweight king. Pettis, who handed Henderson his last loss at WEC 53, expressed disappointment through his manager last week that he appears to have been overlooked as Henderson's next opponent, though the champion is having none of it.

"Of course he's going to go out and say that stuff because he wants his guy to fight for the belt," Henderson said. "What did you have Jeremy Stephens ranked before the Anthony Pettis fight? Not in the top ten. What did you have Joe Lauzon ranked before his fight?

"Does someone who has a split-decision over someone who is not ranked, and then has a pretty good win against the No. 10 guy, is he deserving of a title shot because of those two wins? Or is he deserving of a title shot because he beat me last?

"Do I want to face Pettis again? Absolutely. We will see each other again. Before I retire, before I die, I'm going to see Anthony Pettis again. But it's not my job to give him a title shot. It's not up to me be like, 'oh hey, I want to fight this guy. Lets go see this guy.' It's his job to work his way up to me. I can't jump the line and not fight the No. 1 contender, and then go fight the No. 4 guy or No. 3 guy or No. 10 guy."

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